Stainless Tubular Header TIG Welding Video

I found a great video I wanted to share on TIG welding techniques for tubular stainless steel header fabrication. It's a professionally done video with some great, very clear welding puddle shots, and at the end the completed welds look fantastic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ridE6PiN5H0

highlights:
3:38 - recommended accessories: flexible TIG torch cable, large diameter gas lens & cup
(that big cup, which looks like a #12, takes 30 cfh gas flow! Looks like he is using a WP-17 torch. 1/16" tungsten)

4:27 - backpurging equipment and technique

6:50 - tack welding without filler rod

7:10 - butt welding of .065" tubing without pulse
(he states with 45 amps and a .045" filler rod)

7:45 - butt welding with low speed pulsing
(he states 90 amps peak, 10% background, 30% pulse duty cycle, and it looks like about ~1.5 pulse per second)

8:54 - fillet welding of .065" tubing to 3/8" flange

Awesome video Jake. Thats some very clear welding footage. They sure make welding around those tubes to the flanges look easy.
Thanks for posting it up.

I agree that was some good info. Thanks for sharing, Jake.

30cfm is stupid high.... I never, ever, go above 20cfm. Even on my large #12.
If there's a dead air... I drop it down to 10cfm on smaller cups...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PinkNinja

30cfm is stupid high.... I never, ever, go above 20cfm. Even on my large #12.
If there's a dead air... I drop it down to 10cfm on smaller cups...

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I agree. Did not see the video yet. But 20 would be my max as well. 10-12 cf the norm (6-8 on our L gauges).

Well, saw the video. Very good. The stick out he had and cup size, I imagine he did need 30 :D.

awesome vid! looks like lots of stickout! wonder if part of how much stickout he used was for the vid, or if thats normal pracitice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by presure2

awesome vid! looks like lots of stickout! wonder if part of how much stickout he used was for the vid, or if thats normal pracitice.

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I wouldn't say it normal practice..
Only on a few occasions have I used more than 3/4" stick out... Even more rare that I've used near 1 1/4" stick out...
Granted I probably haven't built as many headers as that guy...

On my large #12 I usually have about 1/2" stick out...

I liked that vid. Very pretty welds. I also just posted a thread about Solar Flux B as an alternative to argon purging. I don't know much about it yet though.

A well done and informative video. If you are looking at header building, it is worth watching all 6 parts on youtube.

Regarding the shielding gas flow for welding stainless steel, I am skeptical that one could obtain the quality of this guys stainless welds by skimping on the shielding gas flow.

The attached picture of the completed weld was taken from the video at 10:36 in 1080P viewing mode (click on the thumbnail for a close-up.) Note the "silver" color of the stainless weld area, indicating a minimal amount of oxidation has occurred. Now the thick flange being welded is going to help conduct heat away and prevent oxidation, but shielding this good is still impressive IMO.

Beautiful welds! Someday, I WILL be that good.

I hope I live long enough to get that good :P!

Thurmond

That was a very informative video for the beginner, looking forward to making their own SS header. Thanks for sharing :)

Man I wish I seen this video when I was building my headers. The quality it unbelievable and such good information. Man trying to weld 16ga butt weld with a scratch start no foot pedal is a pain but can be done on the right amperage. I shouldnt have followed millers tig guide, as it is seen to be 20% off by users on here. Woulda been nice to know that.

Wow very informative video!! (makes me want to visit school to do some TIG welding) Those cups were about the size I used at school.

I just wanted to give a shoutout for these folks at stainlessheadersinc. I just ordered a set of CUSTOM headers from them and I mean really custom. I sent them our mock-ups and the work they sent back was impeccable. The dimensions were 99% perfect and they look beautiful. Also, they were a pleasure to do business with. The turnaround time was actually less than what was quoted to me (three weeks) and they called me several times during the course of the build to verify and double check stuff. This in itself is commendable and I will not hesitate to do business with them again in the future. I would like to take some pics but I'm not sure if I am allowed to. Media exposure of this car is governed and specifically forbidden due to it's eventual destination. But if you guys ever need a set of headers that look like new money you should check into these guys. They aren't cheap, but they deliver a top notch product. Chris is the guy I was dealing with and I think he is the one in the video.

Also, note that he is using a gas lens hence the large cup. This is also why he can use that large stickout.

Jody recently did a version of a repair. Some good information on there

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YD4kvEvuTY&feature=player_embedded