309L filler rod
 

OK, so I went down to my friendly Linweld store over lunch to pick up some 309L. They have it. In 10 lb packages. Nothing smaller and they can't break packages anymore.

So, I rummaged around here at work. We have 308 and 310. I have heard that 308 is a no go, but would 310 be OK?

If not, would someone be so kind to bend a pound's worth of sticks in half and mail them to me? Sounds like $17/lb is the going rate for small quantities if I could get it, so how about $20?

Yeah, I saw that exact ad, but even one lb will be more than I ever will use, let alone 3. I can tell you that this is the last stainless weld el mani that I am going to build. Ever. The stainless is a bitch to saw, even on my metal cutting bandsaw. I'd stop now, but I finally have everything cut and fitted. Just need to finish it up. Never again. Maybe mild steel but no stainless. It's already up to $80 in weld els and flanges. I'd hate spending $35 just for welding rod.

Ask if they'll sell you a pound. If they can break it into 3 lbs maybe they can do just 1.

3 lb and 10 lb are stock packages. My shop only had 10's but 3's are available, just not here. Supposedly, due to a class action lawsuit, retailers no longer break packages because each lot wouldn't come with the proper MSDS sheets for all of the filler metals. Someone sucked on a finger after handling something and sued someone.

Morons, I chew my filler rod before using it.

Told you to use mild steel.

I've been known to hold mine in my mouth while I reposition things. It's a bitch picking up with gloves when it rolls flat onto the welding table. Maybe I shouldn't do that.:giggle:

Yeah, I know. Where's my mani?:fawk: Make up your mind.:giggle:

At least I got the mild steel charge pipes that you suggested. Fast shipping.

I bend a hook on the end of my rod when its long and hang it on the edge of the welding table or on the shielding wall next to the table in the lab.
If you're willing to spend $20 on one pound don't you think you could stand to spend another $15 for 3 pounds. Then resell what you don't use on ebay? Keep and pound, sell the other 2 pounds.

Stop being logical. I'm hoping that someone is going to take pity on my sorry ass and send me a few sticks.

Otherwise, I'll probably do that. I have a buddy in town that works at a shop that might have some. Waiting for a call.

Sent you a PM. Stainless is just a bitch in general. Difficult to cut, difficult to machine, difficult to grind, difficult to weld. It just sucks. Worse, it has no real benefits in a manifold over mild steel. All that extra work for.... essentially nothing.

Why don't you take 304L filler rod.

If it comes down to it I can still buy the stuff by the pound. Email me tonight and let me know, I can pick it up on my way home from work and ship it USPS.

I don't know. Everyone said 309L for welding stainless to the mild steel flanges and the higher alloy was better. If 308 was too low, and I'm guessing here, that 304 would be too low. That's why I initally asked about 310. We have that here at work.

Ah ok, I didn't know it was mild to ss. In that case, I don't know.