Here it goes... my first bit of welding on my mini. (please be nice)
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I forgot to take pictures of the process cleaning up and making the piece of metal to go where it is ect. but this is how i did, i started at the bottom (a little to much heat got a slight bit of warp there) then did the plugs and ended at the top and front of the panel.

This was all done with a Clarke 110e and a shield type welding mask (getting a reactive come pay day)









I am quite happy with how i did for my first time on the car, all comments are welcome but please be nice

Drives
-Ford S-max Mk2 Ecoboost
-Rover 100 VVC #2 - track project

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I'd do some more practice with scrap before continuing.

An auto shield will help

In the 13's at last!.. Just

Practise practise and more practise, scrap panels etc are fine.

Less wire feed mate

I seriously doubt it!

thank you :), i thought i would give it a try on the car and see how it went. i have a lot of scrap metal to practice one :)

out of curiosity what made you say to continue practicing so i can work on it.

thanks paul

edit i also ground back my best welds before taking the pictures, the part at the bottom is some of my worst i have done :(. all the welds are strong which is a start and have good penatration from what i can see (from behind)

Edited by Paul R on 16th Aug, 2013.

Drives
-Ford S-max Mk2 Ecoboost
-Rover 100 VVC #2 - track project

Searching is all you need on TurboMinis

Too blobby and sat on top, less wire feed/more power.

From my experience a decent earth and as clean metal as possible makes for a good consistent weld.

There are quite a few decent guides on the net for simple welding practices such as position of torch etc and what the welds should look like.

Edited by mossy2a on 16th Aug, 2013.

cool thank you :), have turned feed down and put up the power. will have another play tomorrow morning.

Drives
-Ford S-max Mk2 Ecoboost
-Rover 100 VVC #2 - track project

Searching is all you need on TurboMinis

Better than mine!

best bit about welding is it can be cleaned up and done again good effort tho

Done now needs redoing lol

make sure your comfy i carnt stress that enough then once you get the mig set up propily, you can hear when it running nice and you can adjust the wire speed, fast to make it a little cooler so you wont blow threw as much or less wire to make it hotter, use one hand to steady yourself and just keep doing spots, big runs put way to much heat in a panel, only do long runs on thicker metal.

i really need a new mask which is one of my biggest problems atm it makes it a complete nightmare.

Drives
-Ford S-max Mk2 Ecoboost
-Rover 100 VVC #2 - track project

Searching is all you need on TurboMinis

keep practicing paul....... everyone starts from the beginning, i have seen a lot worse!

auto dim mask is the best........... have a look at the machine mart range for value and half decent mask, ...... some narsistic people would disagree

I'd hate to look at the state of my first welds!

i know a few people with the MM auto dim masks and have been using them for years (i quite like the matt black one rather than the flames or union jack). i have just been using the one that came with the welder lol. just going to keep practicing as everyone says i find it rather relaxing welding

Drives
-Ford S-max Mk2 Ecoboost
-Rover 100 VVC #2 - track project

Searching is all you need on TurboMinis

Definitely get a good auto darkening mask, good gloves etc. Being comfortable helps.

i use one of the cheapo bay masks never had a problem and adjustable dimming think it was a tenner

Done now needs redoing lol

Better than my current welding skills, heh.

There was a great post on here about mig welding, check it out if you haven't already, may help?

Brought my first mask from ebay but it died at a rather critical moment welding in a new door step. Or at least it did when I launched it across the garage. The new one from tool station is much better though

Paul.
When you get your new mask try this..

set your machine up where it was as per the pictures then with one hand on the wire feed of the welder drop the visor and start welding with the other hand then adjust the wire feed while your actually welding....when its sweet you will hear
the weld like zipping..then you know its about right for that job.
Good luck chap, practice makes perfect

Just a side note Paul, if thats intended as a 'stiffener' it will offer no support whatsoever being so small and thin gauge. Its actually completely unnecessary anyway

I seriously doubt it!

I know the gauge is not thick enough i was just giving it a shot there. can quite easily remove it. Why is it not needed there by chance? i read before its not needed when your adding a cage. but surely the bins added strength there? (used cut out bin material there)

Drives
-Ford S-max Mk2 Ecoboost
-Rover 100 VVC #2 - track project

Searching is all you need on TurboMinis

The flimsy pockets add no structure to the shell at all. How can the B post move? Its effectively a box section which has the roof and quarter panel to support it which are tied together by the rear bulkhead

Take my car as an example - I reversed it into a concrete wall at 60 - 70mph and that area has not distorted even though I dont have triangulation there

I seriously doubt it!

fair point, tbh i have never had chance to see inside your sprint, i deff do after the rebuild

Drives
-Ford S-max Mk2 Ecoboost
-Rover 100 VVC #2 - track project

Searching is all you need on TurboMinis

What welder did you get Paul? what gas you using?