Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I'm looking for someone with a welder that can weld stainless sheet metal. I need to make some repairs/alterations to various brewing gear.

i will buy all the materials needed, plus i'd love to learn how to weld SS sheet.

reward will be in the form of more beer and spirits then you could hope to drink in a year. I can brew any style of beer you like, plus distill homemade schnapps or supply you with spirit you can flavour how you want.

sigh alas not mig or tig here *sigh*

I know that they make arc welding rods for SS, but they aren't very good unfortunately. you really need that layer of gas over the weld to get a smooth seam with no leaks.

How about one of the local TAFE workshops????

Don't let my dad hear you say that!

they are a little harder to use though............. TIG would be the best bet though................Niiiice shiny welds................Hmmmmm memories of being able to use the gear at my old work............days gone by now

How thick is the SS sheet timmy? I would imagine you would have better results with a high power spot welder. When you have very thin sheet you have to be really skilled to get welds neat enough. I have never welded SS nor sheet thinner that 2.5 mm. I kinda make a mess of anything thinner. We have arc/mig/tig at work but it is not my department, so I don't have the power to say yes or no. I will ask them on monday but I doubt very much they will let me touch the tig.

Steve got to correct you on that one ss rods are the easyiest rods to use i built a 50ft by 30 ft shed once with them [ now i am a bit shaky a bit harder on thin metal] i can still weld up a beer keg where i worked we made an 80 in butterfly valve for dartmouth dam all ss 20 grand i think And yes the other day got a gas gasless mig welder at the tip still works [you will have to call in some day you reckon i had junk before that was nothing]

Never thought to give stainless a go with my arc welder. Might have a play if I can get a few sticks fro not too much dough. Maybe I should check the tip

you look at your own tip leave mine alone

A warning with stainless welding when you do your weld keep your mask on to chip the weld the slag has a tendency to fly[been to hospital a few times] reckon after a while you would learn

The problem with arc welders is the welds they make are rough compared to a tig. bacteria and off flavours can hide in them. your only option with them is to grind the welds smooth. if you've ever sat inside a big metal drum with a grinder.. well it's not fun.

unless your a total gun with an arc i don't reckon it'd do the same job.

the sheet is between 1 - 2mm, arc would just chew right through wouldn't
it?

anyone want to buy me this http://cgi.ebay.com.au/PLASMA-CUTTER-AR ... dZViewItem

it'd do the job nicely

I've been told that Tig welding takes quite a lot of skill. I'm prety hopeless even with the arc - so Tig is out of my league. (and yes Steve, we know that you are a freak)

Yeah, thats just one part of my problem - I'd also like to be able to roll SS sheet to make cone shapes for my conical fermenter.

need to make friends with a sheet metal worker.

ROFL VB!!!!!!! You're a mind reader, yes i was going to re-tell the story!

TimC, if you can persuade your work to give you some time on the tig then i would make a point of learning. Its a very handy talent to have and once you get the tig sorted everything else will be easy

Yeah Steve, I have heard that many times... Once you learn how to TIG you are pretty much set.

Timmy,
Sorry, I can't weld two bits of mild steel together with any degree of strength.

I can help you out with disposing of your excess beer and spirits though.
Anything for a friend.

Tony