welding stainless steel exhausts like Hanlon Wilson or even Aeronca

[Guest]

Hi All,

Any of you welder types out there done any welding (TIG or gas) on Hanlon Wilson or Aeronca exhausts?

What alloy are they? I can't recall what rod I used last time it did it.

How do you prep the old oxidized parts prior to welding?

If I decide to send it out what shops do you recommend?

Dave

[Ragwing nut]

Re: welding stainless steel exhausts like Hanlon Wilson or even Aeronca

Hanlon Wilson should be 304 or 321. Use 347 rod. Aeronca original exhaust should be steel not stainless. clean the area to be welded inside and out to prevent contamination. Purge weld would be best, but if you are not able to, it will still hold, just won't be as nice on the inside.

[Guest]

Re: welding stainless steel exhausts like Hanlon Wilson or even Aeronca

thanks Mike, sorry, I forgot to say it but I have a number of stainless "Y" pipes for Aeronca to fix. apparently they made them that way at some point.

[paulnuss]

Re: welding stainless steel exhausts like Hanlon Wilson or even Aeronca

My welding supply company in Altoona, PA supplied materials to Hanlon Wilson many years ago when they had a facility in Tyrone, PA. At that time, in that facility, they were using type 321 ss for the exhaust systems. The 347 filler recommended previously is adequate for that type. In the real world, 308L filler would likely work OK. From my own experiences, I offer the following advice: clean, clean, then clean again before welding. The exhaust residues are contaminents to the new welding process. And if there is any way at all you can purge the backside of your weld (normally the inside of the pipe) by all means do so. By purge, I mean to exclude normal air from the backside of the weld, by means of flowing argon gas inside the tubing while welding the outside; avoid any and all drafts; cap off open ends to contain your purge gas as well as possible. It will make a world of difference, both in ease of welding and backside finish. IF you could weld inside an argon-purged chamber (kind of like a glass bead cabinet) that would be great.

[Guest]

Re: welding stainless steel exhausts like Hanlon Wilson or even Aeronca

Thanks paulnuss,

I can do the back purge, I think I will have truoubles cleaning the backside on some welds.

Maybe I can fill it with grit and put in a tumbler for a few days???

Thanks again, Dave