Build a Microwave Transformer Homemade Stick/Arc Welder

Step 10 Welding Stainless Steel

We needed some brackets for Solara's mizzen mast.
So we went to the welding store and bought some 3/32" "Hobart Smootharc+ 316L - 16" stainless welding rods. They're only 12" long because stainless has high electrical resistance and they get really hot.
After much designing and sketching Victor, Kenny, and I cut, drilled, bent and welded these brackets. Very easy. When it cooled the flux went "tik" and fell off the weld. The dark area around the weld is soot from the flux.The welder could have handled much thicker rods due to stainless' high resistance and low thermal conductivity.

Important:
Use a fresh grinding wheel on stainless, or one that you only use on stainless.
You'll get rust if you use any abrasives that have been used on non-stainless steel. Same for the wrong wire brush. It will smear rustable iron on the stainless, and due to galvanic effects it'll rust quick if it gets damp.

Hooray! Where did I get the idea you needed TIG for stainless? Stick welds on stainless are just great!

Comments

[breinhardt]

stick welding on stainless releases chrome 6. if you're going to stick weld stainless, wear a respirator.

[ronmaggi]

Wichard sells Wichinox for the removal of ferrous material from stainless steel. In West Marine it is kept with the sailboat hardware. I don't know where other chandleries keep it. After welding your stainless it is a good idea to re-passivate the stainless with it as welding will expose the iron in stainless steel.