MrArmyAnt
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EEFF. I wonder if I can rent a mig...tRustyK5 said:
CK5
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Welding with a oxyacetylene torch
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thezentree
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A little 130-135amp MIG seems to be the machine of choice for bodywork. If you're gonna buy one, you might as well go ahead and get a bigger 230v MIG machine so you can weld thicker steel. Just turn the settings way down for thin stuff. All the Millers and ESABs in the shop at school have charts on the inside of the box that'll give you a ballpark estimate of where to set the machine for particular metals/gases/wires.
MrArmyAnt said:
its pretty cool...i just wonder the whole ac dc thing. this uses ac so u could do aluminium right. i wish they showed more pictures of the welds. and wheres the foot control?
but always fun to see peoples ideas.
MrArmyAnt
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PeteH said:
Google some of those terms, there are plans all over the net with varying complexitys from foot controls to making it an arc welder as well to all sorts of stuff.
Gas welding...
I've tried welding sheet metal with torches,and its difficult and frustrating..but can be done once you get the torch "dialed in",and find the right tip,and practice a lot..thats all our fathers had,oxyacetalyne and bare steel rods,or brazing rods..they used a lot of lead to cover the welds,since it was difficult to make it "pretty" with a weld alone..
I prefer to braze sheet metal,the lower melting point of brass helps prevent warpage and burn through,and I feel it lasts longer than a weld..I've brazed a lot of rocker panels on,and they never rust where the braze is..a welded on one will rot above or below the weld,and I think its because all the paint gets burned off the backside,where you cant get to it to apply more..the brass seems to flow into the metal's pores for a 1/4" or so,and tends to repel rust longer...
My "patch" jobs come out a bit crude,but effective..I've never had a MIG welder,and an AC arc welder isn't a great choice for thin metal either,but I have spot weled floors and other patches in with mine..I'd get a MIG welder before I'd use a torch if possible..its the least difficult and easiest way for a beginner to repair body panels..torches are best for cutting,heating up rusted bolts,and brazing or soldering..
I've tried welding sheet metal with torches,and its difficult and frustrating..but can be done once you get the torch "dialed in",and find the right tip,and practice a lot..thats all our fathers had,oxyacetalyne and bare steel rods,or brazing rods..they used a lot of lead to cover the welds,since it was difficult to make it "pretty" with a weld alone..
I prefer to braze sheet metal,the lower melting point of brass helps prevent warpage and burn through,and I feel it lasts longer than a weld..I've brazed a lot of rocker panels on,and they never rust where the braze is..a welded on one will rot above or below the weld,and I think its because all the paint gets burned off the backside,where you cant get to it to apply more..the brass seems to flow into the metal's pores for a 1/4" or so,and tends to repel rust longer...
My "patch" jobs come out a bit crude,but effective..I've never had a MIG welder,and an AC arc welder isn't a great choice for thin metal either,but I have spot weled floors and other patches in with mine..I'd get a MIG welder before I'd use a torch if possible..its the least difficult and easiest way for a beginner to repair body panels..torches are best for cutting,heating up rusted bolts,and brazing or soldering..
MrArmyAnt
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PeteH said:
Ya ever use one made from a lawn mower motor and an alternator?
Then maybe that's why you haven't seen foot controls 
Sorry I couldn't help it.
tx_sub
1/2 ton status
MrArmyAnt said:
I've seen migs at Home Depot in the rental area. You can also usually buy those tools/equipment.
For places to fill up cylinders, look up Airgas or TexAir. Most welding shops also fill cylinders.
fabjunkie
1/2 ton status
You can get some real clean welds like a TIG with one of these. I'd rather use this than a MIG.
http://www.cobratorches.com/
I've used them before and they are easy to weld with. Same motion as a TIG. They really do cut like a plasma too. This is going to be the first thing I buy once I get my oxy/acetelene setup. And for around $400, you can't beat it.
http://www.cobratorches.com/
I've used them before and they are easy to weld with. Same motion as a TIG. They really do cut like a plasma too. This is going to be the first thing I buy once I get my oxy/acetelene setup. And for around $400, you can't beat it.
dhilgenberg
Registered Member
tig is the best and strogest but very expensive and hard to get your hands on i would try to find a light duty mig like a 135 you could pick it up really easy if youve never done it before but i highly recomend not gas welding it is a bad distorter and hard to control heat input but if it is all you have becareful and pratice a lot its not easy to get a good uniform bead with gas good luck
