Tips on Welding!!!
Turbo Mini Forums

Yeah definately disconnect the alternator, also if you ever weld on anything modern you need to disconnect engine ECU's, ABS ECU's Airbag ECU's etc etc etc

Some interesting reading here, especially for someone who has never even touched a welder. I'm gonna have to learn soon tho cos my little project needs a bit of welding.

I need a bit of advice tho. What sort of welder should I get? I'm guessing that a good all round welder would be best. Please don't forget that I am a TOTAL newbie at this and as of yet, haven't got a clue lol.

Thanx

For car bodywork you want a MIG welder.

Check out somewhere like Machine Mart for a selection.

What sort of power rating would be best? I don't wanna go overboard, but also don't want one that is underpowered for general use.

Sorry about all the questions!

Buy the best you can afford. Cebora are a good make as they supply welders to Snap-on. But most MIG welders will be more than up to the job of car repairs.
Welding car bodywork will not require large power.

I would recommend something around the 130-150 level. If possible get one with a built in fan as they don't cut out on thermal overload when using them hard.

Thanks for the help :)

I'll prob have to wait until new year now......damn christmas! lol

For advice on Sheet metalwork and welding, I really recommend the forums at the following website-

http://www.metalmeet.com


I use a a SIP Autoplus 130 MIG. I use BOC Argoshiled N0 5 shield gas- couldn't get on with C02 at all. The Argoshiled works really well.

I never weld sheet metal in burts of less than an inch, and move the welder around to keep heat to a minimum. Also helps if you have a compressor, to blow some air onto the weld- this cools it quicker.

Cheers

Andy

Edited by Andymini on 3rd Jan, 2005.

just a little question, when fitting repair panels i.e new flitch or arch panel would you cut the old one to butt up or overlap.

Cheers (good to see people sharing there experiences)

I agree, tack it with spots about an inch apart, keeping them as far apart as possible, Ie 12 o clock, 6, 9, 3, etc and then fill in the gaps.

Get a light reactive visor, cheap at twice the price. Use argon.

An old arc welder is an excellent way of unseizing nuts, you touch it with the stick and it goes "Nuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrr" and the nut goes orange and then you just undo it.

Stay away from stick welders AT ALL COSTS. (I taught myself on one).

By the way, you probably won't see fire through a light reactive visor, so you can have quite a nasty blaze by the time you realise/smell it.

Bugger off, I'm getting there.

i know what you mean about the fires, you cant see f**k all through the visor apart from the spark from the weld, then when you take of the visor your confronted with the fire

Edited by Andymini on 20th Jan, 2005.

Edge Setter/Joggler with Hole Punch
These are great for seamless over lapping.
http://www.machinemart.co.uk

Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe.

this subject came up very recently on 'finity...

this seemed like a useful site

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk

top tips and links

i must start brushing up on my welding skills, not that there was much there to start with in the first place

To Answer Jase... "just a little question, when fitting repair panels i.e new flitch or arch panel would you cut the old one to butt up or overlap."

The best thing to do is overlap, and if you have an edge setter, you can offset the edge of the panel so that the overlap does not offset the panel by the width of the metal, also its a very neat finish if your doing a mid panel repair like rear quarters.

PS, when I find it, i've got one in the garage !

JG

Edited by Guessworks on 16th Aug, 2005.

have to agree on the light reactive visors, got one the other day and my welds are now twice as good.

theyre dirt cheap on ebay at the minute too.

can recommend the sip t2000

also, make sure your gas shrouds are in good nick, i put a new one on today and it made the word of difference, even though the old one doesnt look too bad....??

"Turbo's make torque, and torque makes fun"

"did you know you can toast potato waffles?"

What visor shade are we using,I got a 12 today(stevie wonder) then found my old one was a 8 ! thinking about a 6 for the thinnish low power stuff

Metro turbo weekend driver,Mini turbo in the making again!

lol so i take it u all use migs n tigs no gas welders here ? i have an oxy set, and would appreciate tips on brasing and welding bodywork, getting right temps how not to burn holes in everything............only thing i can advise for gas is make sure your set has flashback arresters on both oxy and fuel lines and all ya pipes are jubilee cliped , also spend money on good regs and a decent torch all up the safety of the device you use, and enable the welder to be more versatile (advice from BOC)

my advice with migs is take time to prep the area you are welding, and make sure afterwards that all flux agent is scraped off or ya weld gets eaten away.

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Hi,
OK here's my tip.... Spray a little anti-spatter spray into the nozzle of your MIG at regular intervals. This stops all the crap getting stuck in there.
Cheers,
Gavin :)

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only problem i found with oxy is pannel distortion, can get it to weld no problem and nice, brazing isnt quet an art just go gentle with the heat i use a number 2 nozzle on my light waight gun

love that straight cut scream!!!
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Hi,
To overcome panel distortion, which you can get with any type of welding, use Frosts Cold Front. It looks like some horrible slimey kind of putty, but works a treat!
Cheers,
Gavin. :)

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WB/EGT gauges. Click here for customers write-up

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I seriously doubt it!

On 04/05/2004 22:24:00 iain said:

Something we all need! I know i do, any hints and tips would be appreciated plus also what might be an idea is approx settings and what type of mig you use to give people a guide, i know all mig's are different but it may help a bit.

I use low number 2 on a clarke 130 turbo and wire speed 4

Not saying its right as i cant weld brillaint but that seems to be giving good results at the minute, ive got plenty more car to practice on!!!!!

Any more tips?

Obviously shiney metal is the key!!

Nobody got any? However small, anything is helpful

I seriously doubt it!

Kind of thing we need, cheers paul experience speaks volume

yeah and dont be a clever cunt like me. i was doing quite a bit of welding on my car, tacking the panel on with my eyes closed b4 i used the mask to weld it properly. i woke up the next morning with a sun burnt face and my eyes sticking together. not very nice