On my new tool box cart I was thinking about a hinged seat so I went looking at "piano hinges". At my local box store I could get a piano hinge that looked like it was long enough but the material was only brass or Stainless. The hinge material was fairly thin and what I want to bond it to is 1/8in thick. I am sure that the spot weld is going take longer assuming the two can be successfully joined in this manner.
The hinge comes with short flat head screws to which I could drill holes but I don't want the sharp screw points hanging down to be accidentally grabbed ( ouch!).
I'm sure if the gap on the hinge would allow it to lay flat using pop rivets. I think I would have to do some CSKing of the cart's mounting area if I did it.
I'm on the road right now and am not using my "jet card" so I am not using the data limit I have with it plus the speed of data is way up so I can watch videos.
The basic answer is yes you can weld SS/CRES and mild steel together. Here are a couple of videos on spot welding.
I'd just plug weld it - you already have the holes in the hinge - right? I've had a few SS to mild steel parts welded together before, although the welder used TIG (probably with 100% argon) to do it. Solid as any other weld. Why not experiment with some scrap bits?
I've used my MIG to tack-weld 304 SS exhaust pieces together - with standard MIG wire/C25 gas mix. Worked fine for holding the pieces together. Full welding was done by my welder friend with TIG.
Thanks Jeff, I did consider that and that question is what started this string.
The plug weld would have to be ground in order to make the hinge/lid to lay flat but thinking about it now as I type, there are opposing holes in the two parts of the piano hinge which could lessen the problem somewhat even allowing the standard screws or "pull rivets"; I'll have to go back and look at the hinges again.
I could CSK the angle iron some then dimple the holes in the hinge but I wasn't sure about welding materials. The search said use the CRES material but since I only MIG weld, and that not that well, I am a bit hesitant in just what do to.
I'm not at home for a week so the lid to the combination tool box and seat has been made out of crap 5/8"th or 1/2" plywood. All that is left is to upholstery w/pad and put locating blocks on the lid assuming I don't hinge is]t up and put rubber stops in place at the front of the box to get the seat to lay flat.
Good to know that you were successful just using standard wire for steel. That makes the decision a bit easier.
ouch!).