These days, I’ve seen many people, even some experts, who aren’t entirely familiar with the Mig welding stainless steel exhaust. Although Mig welding is a common topic among welders, most of us make serious mistakes while welding stainless steel exhaust.
So today, I’ll guide you through everything about welding steel exhaust pipes and share my top picks on the best MIG welders and wires for stainless steel exhaust.
Which Welding Type Is Best for Welding Exhaust
Indeed, it won’t be fair to choose any of them as a clear winner in terms of welding types. Ask me why?
Because welders often choose them according to their own preferences. So let me give short briefs about them so that you can understand what suits your requirements:
1. Mig
Among different kinds of welding, Mig welding process is by far the easiest one used mostly by newbies in the auto industry. “Electrode” is the component that it generally uses.
Moreover, shielding gas tends to travel via welding guns. It’s an ideal pick if you can’t afford costly equipment.
2. Tig
Here comes the most versatile welding type that is also very tough to learn. You’ll need to apply pro techniques and both hands for tig welding. Let it be aluminum, nickel alloy, steel, or titanium; Tig is always an excellent option to go with.
But it is, at the same time, more pricey than the Mig welding.
3. Flux Core
Like the Mig welding, flux core also uses a power supply and constant wire. If you want to weld relatively thicker joints or metals, simply go with it. Plus, users choose it to reach in every direction while performing their desired welding projects.
But the bad part is that it may offer noxious fumes at times, which are harmful to both the environment and human beings.
Advice: If I share my personal opinion, then you better go with the MIG welding as it is way friendlier with the environment and pocket, as well as beginners.
Mig Welding Exhaust (Stainless Steel)
As you already know, Mig welding exhaust stands out for its overall characteristics; I’d love to share everything related to what I know about it.
So sight tight and get some education right here.
What Is An Exhaust?
In the fewest possible words, waste gas from a vehicle or the pipe of your car that flows through is known as an exhaust. It has four major functions, including:
- controlling noise
- improving the engine’s performance
- directing fumes away
- enhancing the rate of fuel consumption
Can You Mig Weld Exhaust?
Of course, you can!
In fact, Mig weld is the most suitable and convenient choice out there as it tends to work so beautifully in welding relatively thin joints or metal.
And no need to mention that most exhaust pipes use thin metal, for which you can find them lightweight during attachment. You can also join exhausts without using welders.
- With Gas
According to experts, you better switch to the correct shielding gas to get your work done. Some of the basic and most popular choices are Helium, Argon, Oxygen, and Dioxide.
- Without Gas
Honestly speaking, flux core self-shielding wire uses for welding exhaust instead of Mig. Basically, Mig weld has been engineered to utilize wire using gas.
How to Mig Weld Stainless Steel Exhaust (Step by Step)
Mig weld stainless steel exhaust can be a little trickier. But if you get familiar with the correct steps, the whole task will appear to be a piece of cake!
So let’s get into it
- Step-1: Setting Up the Torch
To start it up, make sure you get your hands on the filler wire in terms of setting it up from the welder’s reel to the tip of the torch. Only around ¼” from the welding wire should stay visible on your torch’s end.
- Step-2: Determining Correct Angle
Remember that the flame should provide a direct hit to the desired area. You’re allowed to get it by setting up the torch at a 30-degree angle from the end of the joints. Talking about the travel angle, it must range anywhere from 5 to 15 degrees. Afterward, hold the gun at a degree of 90.
- Step-3: Pulling the Beads Up
Let’s switch on the power straight away and draw the bead of the weld as gently as possible towards the final point. Using moderate speed and power is a good idea to eliminate the risk of forming spatters.
Best Mig Welder for Exhaust (Stainless Steel)
Without further ado, let me show you my top 4 picks on the best MIG welding for exhaust stainless steel.
1.Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder
Due to the control selector of voltage in five different positions, you’re allowed to weld stainless steel way smoothly with the Hobart 500559. The maker has added a double gauge regulator with a gas hose for your convenience.
If the material you need to weld is up to ¼ inch, this one should really deserve a place on your top-priority list.
Design and Construction:
Weighing around 57lbs, it won’t eat up too much space in your garage for its compact design. And the build quality is also good enough, despite being a plastic-made frame.
Consumables:
To ensure optimal performance in stainless steel weld, the maker makes it compatible with flux-core wires. Thus, it works well on mild steel.
Benefits:
- It incorporates a stable and smooth arc at every welding thickness.
- Able to weld no less than ¼ in relatively mild steel (24 gauge).
- Speaking of the feed range speed, it gets 40 to 700 IPM.
- The built-in regulator lets you control it quite smoothly.
- Friendly with aluminum, steel, and stainless steel.
Drawbacks:
- A little weighty
- Pricey a bit
Why Recommended:
If you want to weld mild steel, aluminum, and stainless steel in the best way possible, give the Hobart 500559 a try.
2. MILLER ELECTRIC MIG Welder
Miller ELECTRIC MIG Welder features a mig gun of 10ft, solenoid valve, dual regulator gauge, gas hose, and so on.
That might be the reason behind its huge price tag. It works really nice on mild steel of 3/8-inch and stainless steel of 1/4-inch.
To add icing to the cake, you’ll get a fast-select drive roll, overload protection, smooth-start system, and many more striking specs right here.
Design and Construction:
It weighs no more than 49.89lbs, making it less weighty than the previous choice. And the overall construction appears to be sturdier as well.
Consumables:
Like my previous choice, Miller Mig Welder stands out for its flux-core wire consumables, which work great on the majority of mild steel.
Benefits:
- CSA certified and suitable for mild stainless steel.
- Thermal overall protection offers protection against overheating issues
- Regulator with a material gauge of thickness to improve welding performance
- Ideal for both hobbyist and farm jobs
Drawback:
- Too pricey!
Why Recommended:
For its professional features and versatility, it suits both hobbyists and professionals.
What Are the Requirements of Welder to Weld Exhaust?
Here I’ve listed down a number of requirements of a welder to weld exhaust. Like,
- Welders should go for “MIG welding” as it is easier, more environment-friendly, and ideal for thinner metals.
- He/she shouldn’t be a pro. That said, they must have a certain experience of mig weld exhaust.
- Welders must wear safety dresses to avoid the risk of injuries.
- They really need to get the right inert gas to perform the task in the best way possible.
Best Mig Wire for Exhaust
Among so many different choices, I’ve incorporated the 4 best MIG wires for exhaust. Let’s see what they are-
1. YESWELDER Flux Core Gasless Mig Wire
From offering smoother arc action to the easy-peasy welding operation, the YES WELDER Flux Core Gasless Mig Wire features all the standout features to take your welding performance to a new height.
Moreover, it tends to provide lower spatter, hassle-free slag removal, and a decent bead appearance.
Why It Is Good for Stainless Exhaust:
Flux-cored wire seems to be a suitable choice when you need to weld stainless steel, and that’s what the YES WELDER comes in. With its 2lbs spool, you can easily get your heavy projects done.
Gas Required or Not with That:
As the name suggests, it’s a flux-core gasless welding wire, so it won’t require any gas usage to perform the welding task.
Benefits:
- Provides higher feedability, smoother arc action, and hassle-free weld
- Able to perform both multi and single welding
- Suitable for windy outdoor environment
Drawbacks:
- Some people complained about its strength
Why Recommended:
If you’re looking for a mig wire that is easy to use and gives value for money, YES, WELDER Mig Wire can be your cup of tea.
US Forge Welding Stainless Steel MIG Wire
Let it be a paper, dairy, textile dyeing, or even other chemical components, the US Forge Welding Stainless Steel MIG Wire can deal with every nook and cranny, making it a versatile welding wire in the current marketplace.
Like my previous choice, it’s also known for low spatter, and slag removing will be a breeze!
Why It Is Good for Stainless Exhaust:
The necessary components it gets are quite friendly with the stainless steel exhaust pipe. That is why anyone can pick this up to perform their desired stainless steel welding projects.
Gas Required or Not With That:
Yes, it requires shielding gas (CO2) of 25% as well Argon of 75%.
Benefits:
- Capable of offering a cleaner, smoother, and brighter surface
- Weighing around 2lbs, ensuring optimal feed ability
- Works really well on a variety of materials
Drawbacks:
- A bit pricey in this category
Why Recommended:
In this list, this is by far the most “easy-to-use” welding wire, making it ideal for beginners.
What Size Wire to Weld Exhaust with Mig?
For those who are hungry for cleaner weld, using a welding wire of 0.030″ is a good idea. In contrast, the wire of 0.035-inch deposits relatively more metals, which is suitable only for filling gaps through welding.
What Should Be The Feed Quality?
Satisfying feed quality is quite necessary when it comes down to MIG weld stainless steel exhaust. In this case, nothing can beat the efficacy of helium. The Argon equally stands out if we talk about the better quality gas.
Moreover, each can improve the overall fluidity and penetration of the weld. As for the rate, both the feed and burn rates require to be 100% equal to ensure stable welding.
Spatter and Flow of Wire
Flow and spatter are considered to be an inconvenience and a captious factor during the weld. They make up pesky-little molten balls of metal, which get stuck around your welding gun and obstacle gas flow. Thus, injuries to welders, excess loss of metal, and sticking to tooling/workpieces may occur.
To get rid of the occurrence of spatter, make sure you use the correct wire, choose a clean workplace, and strictly eliminate the usage of incorrect consumables.
Last Words
That was all about the mig welding stainless steel exhaust. Along with the necessary information regarding welding exhaust, I’ve added the 4 best MIG welders and MIG wires for exhaust. Try any of these out, and you’ll thank me later.
Good luck and happy welding.
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