Eastwood 135 MIG on sale for $200

[c21darrel]

Other items that come in handy...
Extra tips, match your wire size.
Magnets
Kleecos
Butt weld clamps
Welding pliers
Long reach vice grips
Flap discs
cutting wheels for grinder and or air tools

I dont weld alot...but almost never wear a welding jacket (sometimes if im upside down), smaller, fitted leather gloves are easier to pick up stuff and work with.
I have a HF helmet and it has been fine.
I have only seen small 20cubic ft bottles at HF. A larger bottle will be more efficient. I have bought 50's off craigslist for around $75...or just go to local welding gas filling station. I just trade my empty for a full. Bottles need to be up to date.
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GhiaBuild
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=481184
1967 DC build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=693583&highlight=67+dc
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[67ctbug]

So does anyone have any good settings for welding repair panels. My welder is always being either too low on heat or too high and I can never get the perfect welding noise. My welds look junky too...

_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[xzener]

Takes a bit of trial and error... And LOTS of practice (not on the car). I found that a quick 1,2 (in my head) for spot welds worked for me. As soon as you find your technique, practice some more. It's an art I've come to realize.

A couple of your spot welds look good to me. It's just a matter of finding the right combination of gas pressure, wire speed, arc voltage, and time.

Make sure to not put much bend into the cable. It can restrict the speed of the wire feed. Be sure to clean the area to be welded with a wire brush really good too.

Am I missing anything?
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My 70 beetle was totaled Now to build the Ghia I always wanted. Rest in peace Ruby, I will miss you. Hello <insert Ghia name here>!

[Mellow Yellow 74]

[xzener]

Ah yes... My method is about 3/16 - 1/4" at a 45 degree.
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My 70 beetle was totaled Now to build the Ghia I always wanted. Rest in peace Ruby, I will miss you. Hello <insert Ghia name here>!

[67ctbug]

Thanks guys, I'll start practicing.
_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[xzener]

I bought a piece of 20 gauge (same thickness as VW used) to practice on at Lowe's. It helps to practice on the same thickness material. Good luck.
_________________
My 70 beetle was totaled Now to build the Ghia I always wanted. Rest in peace Ruby, I will miss you. Hello <insert Ghia name here>!

[67ctbug]

Thanks, I have a piece of 22. I couldn't find any 20 at Home depot or Lowes.
_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[CiderGuy]

[67ctbug]

Yeah I'm using the wire it came with so .023 or .025 inch with 75/25 gas.
_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[67ctbug]

I hate this welder... almost more than the harbor freight one...

_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[xzener]

Oh my... Ok... Going by your wires sticking out, I can tell you aren't trimming the end off to 3/16 - 1/4" and starting fresh. And doesn't look like your taking a wire brush to the spot weld after each one. That hole may never be filled in... I would start from scratch if I were you, cutting a hole, using strong magnets to keep the new patch in place.

Here is a example of my welds...

With this weld, I over lapped the replacement panel. Each spot weld was allowed to cool a few minutes, cleaned, and then another spot weld was placed over lapping the previous one.

Practice on a piece of sheet metal, not the car... Please! Trim the wire after each weld, allow it to cool, clean the area with a wire brush, them make another weld. If you don't let the area cool, it will lead to warping.
_________________
My 70 beetle was totaled Now to build the Ghia I always wanted. Rest in peace Ruby, I will miss you. Hello <insert Ghia name here>!

[67ctbug]

I'll try again, but when I work on a different metal that isn't the car then the welds are always good...
_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[xzener]

Here is a small patch I did to reshape a fender after replacing a headlight clip. It was only 1/4" wide and tapered to a point...

Each weld was allowed to cool a few minutes... Very time consuming, but filled in eventually.

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My 70 beetle was totaled Now to build the Ghia I always wanted. Rest in peace Ruby, I will miss you. Hello <insert Ghia name here>!

[c21darrel]

You are getting good advice. Slow down. Only weld on clean rust free metal. Practice a little more. Your pic looks like pretty thin metal. Only a really skilled welder would be able to fix that, maybe tig. Once you get that many holes....id start over, all those wires...slow down. Play with your heat and speed settings, you should not be blowing through what looks like your patch. Slow down. Tack and then move to the other side of the patch, tack. Air or a wet rag will help cool faster. Slow down, relax.

[67ctbug]

Yeah, I know its me... I'm welding 20 gauge as a patch.
_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[J1]

If you are using this Eastwood 135 mig, I have had no problems with it. And note I am just a fledgling amateur.

Other immediate hypotheses... 18 gauge not 20. Tighter gaps. And that picture with the big gaping hole... I hope you are not trying to fill it in with countless welds, as opposed to cutting a patch panel to size and butt welding it on.
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1971 Ghia coupe. Assume I know nothing and you'll be pretty darn close to the truth.

[c21darrel]

[67ctbug]

Thanks for the tips guys. I was going to fill the hole with weld... then it started to get bigger and bigger. I'll cut it off later and refill the hole with some steel.
_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[67ctbug]

Any better? I used Eastwood settings, higher, and lower. .024 wire and 75/25 gas. Still getting holes in the center of some.

The stitch weld was awful... every one had a hole.
_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016