Went To a Welding Class Yesterday

[67ctbug]

[Busstom]

[67ctbug]

Yes I'm meaning Vw thickness metal like 18-22 gauge.
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[modok]

[modok]

[nsracing]

For really thick steels if the welder has limited heat range, then it is necessary to have a gap or kerf for the root pass. Or you can bevel both workpieces for the root pass.

If you butt them together too close and not enough heat/current, it will cold-weld like that above. The root pass is very important as it dictates the integrity of the joint. And it does not have to be pretty as it will get covered up if you decide to do 2nd pass/ filler pass.

I like a 220 Volt unit just because it has more capacity. The 110volt MIgs are fine for sheetmetals but for large I-beams or angle irons, the 220volt machine really shines.

For really thick stuff, I have 250 amp MIGs -commercial kind, and 250Amp TIG for aluminum work -water cooled is the only way to go.

[vwracerdave]

The Body/Paint forum has lots of thread about welding including a stickie.
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[Bad Bob]

When the bead you are running doesn't stick to the base metal, that's called lack of fusion. The Welding Tips & Tricks channel on You Tube has good videos of this.
Although the MIG process can be used to weld thin sheet, it's not ideal. It puts a lot of heat in your panel and even more heat when you grind off the excess bead . TIG works better (more control and less excess filler- or no filler if you have good fitup) but a nice setup is pricey.

That brings us to the old oxy/fuel rig. Many guys that work on the high end cars use this process. It has many advantages and is inexpensive. Check out Kent White on You Tube for more. Its also a good way to learn the basics!

If you want to learn about metal shaping, Allmetalshaping and Metalshapers are good websites.

[67ctbug]

Hey guys! So I haven't gone to another class... I didn't have the time to go to Boston again, but I have been practicing... here's my latest progress.

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

[nsracing]

That is a weak weld. What you can do if you are not used to thin metal welding is to use a backing plate. WEld that in place under the other piece so you have something to 'hold' the weld puddle and prevent burn-thru.

It seems you are shy about walking a small puddle. When you start the arc, a bead will form. And the very first bead will be somewhat cold so it will stick up. But as you develop the weld puddle, it will be a more thorough penetration. Meaning it will be way stronger as a competent welding job should be.

If you are doing stitch, then lay the arc a second longer to make the puddle flatten. Otherwise, you see all those 'popcorns' -

[67ctbug]

Only shy about making a puddle because the welder is temperamental One time it will be perfect, the next, wire doesn't come out of the gun and it just makes a hole. I'll start holding the trigger a bit longer and see what happens.
_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[nsracing]

use your other hand as anchor point or guide for the gun/nozzle to rest. You will have much better control of the stickout distance. Good MIG depends on maintaining the stickout distance.

Do you know why we have to maintain the stickout distance of the wire?

[gtrplyr]

Back in the 90's, I spent 5 years mig welding .025 and .035 stainless material for commercial flue pipes, never anything thicker. I wasn't a "welder", per se, just a guy who could do the job. When I started working on my buggy, I learned rather quick that thicker material is a whole 'nother animal. Finally settled on a Lincoln 180 Mig for all of my work. With lots of assistance from others I am now comfortable with my skills but it took lots of practice welding scrap metal together. Living on a farm we have lots of scrap iron. Every welding machine is different so get one that fits your needs, and practice. Welding is a very handy skill to have.
Just my two cents.
William

[nsracing]

WElding thin materials is most challenging. Thick ones you just do your root pass and add the subsequent passes on there.

Joining thick and thin materials are fun.

here is a project ...weld a blade to an anchor or anvil.

[bigdog1962]

[67ctbug]

Stick out is to make sure gas gets to the weld right? bigdog1962... that's also what I was told I'm currently being taught from a nice guy on a welding forum. We're troubleshooting my welder right now.
_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[nsracing]

Stick-out... besides the gas envelope, it also dictates how much current is required to melt or transfer the globules. When the stickout gets too long requires more amperage, you can tell how the sound changes and the weld puddle becomes poor.

When the stickout is just right, there is a particular sound it makes w/ MIG.

Follow the textbook procedures and you will be fine. Also, you need to learn forehand and backhand welding techniques and which one to use depends on the thickness of metal and type of prep work...so on.

You just have to know the theory behind the welding process. PERIOD.

[67ctbug]

Oh, I didn't know that. I am being instructed on my welding by a guy who has been welding for a long time.
_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[mark tucker]

my welding skills have gone to shit. eys not seeing worth a shit , arm not functioning like it should when it should ( major nerve damage from a moron DR.) along with my mig having almost a zillion and a half miles of wire run throught and oh soamny liners&tips....I bought it new back in 82...I think it was 82...it was long ago and oh somany racecars built with it and some street cars too. I like using stainless wire in it.although I dont know how well paint will hold on to stainless wire....I did make a tubular 18" set back outboard motor bracket for my speed boat out of stainless, miged it all up with stainless wire and painted it with imron and it never flaked or pealed in over 20 years...so it might work for tin work too..it's so sweet to weld in a mig gun.

[Busstom]

In MIG, forehand or backhand welding is usually a matter of preference and what best suits the task at hand. It doesn't affect the structural quality of the weld joint.

I know this is widely debated and involves discussion around joint prep and so on, but many good welders have done tons of testing to find that there's virtually no difference in the final result.