[C320-list] Companionway Step Weld Failure

[Kaare Wold]

Brian, RUN from having your neighbor attempt this.  The thin gage stainless 
tubing should only be welded using the TIG process by a welder experienced 
with tube fabrication.  MIG wire welding will result in a disaster with 
unsightly appearance and far more deposited weld metal than necessary. Now 
you have a grinding mess to deal with.
The electropolished tubing used for this application (ladders, handrails 
etc.) is thin gage, and not the heavier standard schedules used for 
industrial piping applications.  Bottom line.  This is a job requiring an 
experienced welder using the proper equipment.
Kaare Wold  Sheet Music #945
Welding Engineer when not sailing.



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Graeme Clark" <cg at skyflyer.co.uk>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2015 3:27 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Companionway Step Weld Failure


For future reference, It's not just about the welding rod/wire. Stainless 
needs an inert gas shield (Argon IIRC) so MIG or TIG. Some wires/rods have 
flux that burns to give an inert gas shield but I have never seen a pretty 
looking result!


Sent from mobile: please excuse typos etc.!


> On 28 Aug 2015, at 21:54, Amiraults Family <amiraults at sympatico.ca> wrote:
>
> All:
>
>
>
> Nah.I have never welded, but my neighbour has an inexpensive electric 
> welder
> he's never used - but it WAS on sale. You have convinced me to make the
> search for a professional. I need to get this right.
>
>
>
> Thanks for the guidance.
>
>
>
> Brian Amirault
>
> 797 Waltzing Bear, too
>
>
>
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