Welding stainless drums for 110gallon kettle?

[dye4me]

I can get some stainless barrels like the one below for really cheap. They are .9mm (20ga) thick. Im not a welder and don't know a whole lot about welding stainless, but im wondering what might be the chances of a good welder being able to weld a couple together to make a 110gallon kettle?

 

[GreenMonti]

Well, the answer depends on how fortunate you are to have access to a good weldor who isn't blowing smoke up your backside to get a job.

I'll say the job is doable but it will be tricky. It will also most likely look very poor in the end. You'd have to get these super cheap to cover the cost of welding in my opinion. You'd also have to not be very strict on the overall look in the end. The weld is going to distort to drums.

That's kinda the short reply. Good luck and stay dry.

 

[Jim_Holmes]

welding could be done, and distortion could be limited by a good welder using a Tig welder with purge gas and a stitch weld cross pattern and adding cooling time into the process. as stated before this would have to be a good welder and would be expensive. could probably lessen distortion more by welding a stiffner ring inside both barrel ends before welding them together

 

[ChelisHubby]

While this is possible a wall of .033 it is Thin I would not bother with it. what you want is not cheap in any form. 100 gallons needs support and more strength than what .033 can provide for more than a couple of uses. My thought is the heating and cooling of the wort plus trying to clean the long cylinder is going to stress the metal quite a bit.