MIG with argon

[billyj]

Yeah mate, I've been stick welding 1mm and even below thickness pipes with stick welding, but it's time consuming as the hammering & scraping take up a fair bit of time. Also, it demands I wire brush the paint or gal off the pipes first, 'cos it easier to burn a hole through it when the paint or gal get in the way of controlling the heat. And I did with cheap sticks as well. Doesn't look good, but appears to be holding two pipes together.

doesnt matter what welding process you use you should be grinding off any paint,gal,rust or scale first regardless. and a wire brush will not remove gal or scale just polishes it

without clean steel your just shooting yourself in the foot before you start