School me on my welds...

[Rezarf]

Think I should switch over to flux core wire to get a better burn?

I can get one all fabbed up for 75 plus the ride with it already powder coated.

 

[Red_Chili]

Not necessary. But if you want to it won't hurt anything.

 

[Rezarf]

Hey guys, I am burning in my sheet metal today and I am having blast! I have a quick question, I have been tacking the panels into place, but I am thinking that running a short 1" stitch would be better in the long run...

... is that overkill it is 16ga sheet getting "hot glued" to 16ga tubing. I am spacing my welds at 4 inches apart.

I am going to burn in a few stitch welds and see how it does with warpage.

Thanks!

 

[Rezarf]

So, my headers have a decent exhaust leak (thanks for helping figure it out UB)

I am going to attempt to weld them up. Any idea what the typical tubing thickness is of the tubes? My headers are from Man-A-Fre, but the site is uninformative...

Kevin, you mentioned pulling them... is it a bad idea to give them a go while on the rig? I am clear of any rubber parts from what I can tell.

Any tips before diving in? Should i be worried about welding around the carb and metal fuel lines?

Thanks... trying to avoid a Ka-boom!

 

[rover67]

weld them on the truck. just guess at the thickness and back off if it is melting too much. if you want me to tig them you can swing by here and we can give it a go.

 

[Uncle Ben]

So, my headers have a decent exhaust leak (thanks for helping figure it out UB)

I am going to attempt to weld them up. Any idea what the typical tubing thickness is of the tubes? My headers are from Man-A-Fre, but the site is uninformative...

Kevin, you mentioned pulling them... is it a bad idea to give them a go while on the rig? I am clear of any rubber parts from what I can tell.

Any tips before diving in? Should i be worried about welding around the carb and metal fuel lines?

Thanks... trying to avoid a Ka-boom!

If you can access the crack with them on blaze away sparky!

 

[Rezarf]

If you can access the crack with them on blaze away sparky!

Sparky...

 

[Red_Chili]

weld them on the truck. just guess at the thickness and back off if it is melting too much. if you want me to tig them you can swing by here and we can give it a go.

How many beers would it take to get you to give TIG lessons?

I have a HF TIG welder that Beater gave me, not much, but it would make a great place to start. Haven't touched it since he brought it over. Gotta get a bottle of Argon I guess, first. Can't do it with Argon/CO2 mix?

Hey Drew, be SURE your ground is good and close to the weld. DO NOT GROUND TO YOUR ENGINE BLOCK. Ground to the exhaust ONLY.

 

[Rezarf]

Thanks Bill!

 

[Red_Chili]

There was a fella welding on a semi tractor I heard about. Everything was painted, but he found a convenient ground - the bolt on the harmonic balancer. Very good ground, welds came out great.






The semi wouldn't run, wouldn't crank, nothing. All the main bearings were welded solid.

 

[subzali]

 

[DaveInDenver]

There was a fella welding on a semi tractor I heard about. Everything was painted, but he found a convenient ground - the bolt on the harmonic balancer. Very good ground, welds came out great.






The semi wouldn't run, wouldn't crank, nothing. All the main bearings were welded solid.

I've always wondered if that was true or not. I was told the same story except that it was Cat D6 he was welding on, not a semi. I'd always sort of assumed that was urban legend.

 

[Red_Chili]

I see absolutely no reason to doubt that this would happen. In fact, it would most likely have to happen. It might turn over, but would sound like all heck broke loose as the crank ground itself against at least one melted bearing.

The only part of it that makes it suspect is that someone would be so dumb. But then again I have done enough dumber things as to lend credence to the story!

 

[Rezarf]

How many beers would it take to get you to give TIG lessons?

I have a HF TIG welder that Beater gave me, not much, but it would make a great place to start. Haven't touched it since he brought it over. Gotta get a bottle of Argon I guess, first. Can't do it with Argon/CO2 mix?

Hey Drew, be SURE your ground is good and close to the weld. DO NOT GROUND TO YOUR ENGINE BLOCK. Ground to the exhaust ONLY.

I have one of those magnetic mount grounds and it works great so I can ground right to the headers.

Thanks!

 

[Beater]

bad news on mag mounts. Do not place them too close to the weld area. the arc will be affected by the magnetic field

 

[rover67]

How many beers would it take to get you to give TIG lessons?

I have a HF TIG welder that Beater gave me, not much, but it would make a great place to start. Haven't touched it since he brought it over. Gotta get a bottle of Argon I guess, first. Can't do it with Argon/CO2 mix?

Hey Drew, be SURE your ground is good and close to the weld. DO NOT GROUND TO YOUR ENGINE BLOCK. Ground to the exhaust ONLY.

Wouldn't take any beers... but 'm probably not the best one to give lessons.. I learned from an an old hotrod guy in a fab shop I worked in for a while.. everything he showed me was seat of the pants. I don't know the proper terms and methods. But i'd be happy to get ya started. It mainly just takes practice ( i know you know that). It's nice though because it's not as messy as GMAW welding so you can practice without "dressing up" for it.

I have never had good luck with 75/25 TIG welding. The CO2 contaminates and burns up the Tungsten, and generally gives a pretty crappy looking weld. You could borrow my argon tank anytime though.. it'd save you having to buy one. It's just a general air swap out deal-e-o. I could bring it to a meeting. I have been Mig welding most stuff lately anyways.

 

[rover67]

oh yeah, if the headers have dirt/mud crusted on them at all be sure to grind it off before you start... while you can burn through most things, that crust that develops on exhausts WILL NOT BURN OFF. Save yourself the headache and prep it nicely.

let me knwo if you want me to swing by when you weld it up...

 

[Beater]

if anyone wants to play tig, just contribute to my gas fund, and you can play away... argon is pricey and goes quick on tig (air cooled)