|
Any idiot can weld 2 bits of metal together (look in most garages), I fit into that category but doing it well is an art, safety is an issue, I was welding my old trusty Metro 1.0 Clubman for the MOT, underneath it behind the front offside wheel where a hole was forming, tacked on a patch and was putting a seam all round it (as the MOT dictates) and inside the car, unknown to me the carpet fell from where it was held out of the way onto the other side of where I was welding, I put it out with a pint of Orange Juice I was drinking !
|
Before snide comments, I work in IT!!. No training.. not saying Im good, but Im better than some that say they can weld.. (these are all from circa 2003) Will post some pics of the seam welding on the new car.
Machined this in the lathe at home from a lump of billet.. http://www.wallis2000.co.uk/weld/100_0114.jpg Some up pipes I quickly re - bent (gas axe and wood :o) and welded and pissed about with.. Not enough heat - piss poor penetration, but I didnt want to burn through and leave bits that would break off.. as I didnt back purge.. If you dont know dont ask! http://www.wallis2000.co.uk/weld/100_0143.jpg Didnt dare use enough heat, functional but messy.. Probably my 3rd or 4th tig weld :o http://www.wallis2000.co.uk/weld/DSC00016.jpg Evidence of me welding (Note skinny :D) http://www.wallis2000.co.uk/weld/Image(10).jpg http://www.wallis2000.co.uk/weld/Image(11).jpg The weld in question http://www.wallis2000.co.uk/weld/Image(12).jpg I always take the piss and say thicker is easier, but any contamination will soon put an end to cockyness. http://www.wallis2000.co.uk/weld/Image(13).jpg http://www.wallis2000.co.uk/weld/Image(15).jpg http://www.wallis2000.co.uk/weld/Image(16).jpg http://www.wallis2000.co.uk/weld/Image(17).jpg David |
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-SIP-Topmig...QQcmdZViewItem
That's the same sort of sucker I bought as my first welder when I was about 17 / 18 and it's still in good order today, although the wire is rusty now :lol1: I'd say for an all round machine it would be prudent to go for a slighty more powerful one if you can afford. I think a 190-200 amp one would make a perfect DIY all rounder. :thumb: It'll go low enough to weld up those rusty sills on a classic and high enough to be useable making things like a rollcage for eg. :D Andy |
Nice tan the next day David ?? :D:D
fooking weld burn. :lol1: Andy |
PS, My MIG is 230A and my Tig is 200A (AC/DC)
Fuzz, my recommendation stopped at that current rating as bigger needs over a 13A supply normally :) |
Fuzz.. Ive not had it too bad yet :) Torch gets too hot before I do.. Need a water cooled torch if I was doing it for a living.. Having said that with welds like that best stick to IT!!! :D
David |
PS part 2..
Wear gloves when learning to weld with an AC tig.. when you strike the arc onto the rod rather than the work piece... you know about it.. makes me cringe watching American Hotrod / American Chopper. David |
PUB TIME!
|
I made these with MIG, I wont be going back to welding as a career again!:
Crap working environment, silly targets to make and no thanks/gratitude from employer. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/16vmarc/silo.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/16vmarc/silo2.jpg |
Originally Posted by David_Wallis
Fuzz.. Ive not had it too bad yet :) Torch gets too hot before I do.. Need a water cooled torch if I was doing it for a living.. Having said that with welds like that best stick to IT!!! :D
David |
Alu a bit of a pain to weld with tig eveything needs to be clean .See the Americans they don't wear any safety gear .I was watching southern choppers one of the welders was tiging steel bike frame no gloves tshirt open toed sandals nutters must go home with welders tan.David just go over the top of the weld with a bit more amps makes it look neat with out filler wire
|
I have a lot of respect for skilled welders, it's the hardest of all workshop skills in my opinion. Getting welds which are both strong and look good is not trivial and takes some practise.
I tried to get on a welding course at a local technical college but the thing was constantly booked solid by the rally boys who used the facilities to prep their cars. Previous course students had first dibs on the follow on course and so they had rolling enrollment and nobody else got a look in :mad: |
They stopped the course at York College after i left as the students kept leaving.
|
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:56 AM. |
© 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands