View Full Version : Teaching Self to Weld
well i found a hole in the truck :eek:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/292221_10150761351342649_793747648_9382875_1182280 679_n.jpg
so thought i better teach myself to weld, so i went down machine mart and got a Clarke MIG 151 No-Gas/Gas MIG Welder
got it home and had a play at capturing a bolt
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/579006_10150767808777649_793747648_9407771_8287779 81_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/523877_10150767808902649_793747648_9407772_5535086 66_n.jpg
not a 100% happy with the results i decided i needed more practice.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/536664_10150770013227649_793747648_9415684_7072717 65_n.jpg
tried a T join
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/399144_10150770013467649_793747648_9415688_1209947 341_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/578298_10150770013647649_793747648_9415689_8990095 83_n.jpg
then tried on some thinner metal but made a hole :doh
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/536594_10150770014302649_793747648_9415700_1370034 369_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/581149_10150770014437649_793747648_9415702_1446133 30_n.jpg
made a shelf :lol
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/562522_10150770014597649_793747648_9415704_4372386 57_n.jpg
then tried making another bolt captive (i think this one is the better of the 2 :lol )
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/545001_10150770014142649_793747648_9415697_1437625 41_n.jpg
gave weld writing a try and was pleasently surprised how well it turned out
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/550218_10150770667192649_793747648_9417252_1665714 544_n.jpg
never tried welding before but i think i'm getting there
Good effort, really want a welder myself, how much was yours ? and did you use gas ?
£240 and no i didn't use gas this time but maybe i will next time :D
christof123
24-04-2012, 20:34
Get one of the flat pieces and just do line after line side to side till its covered then flip it over and do the other side, bit apprentice school but it does give you a good feel.
That looks like the rear seatbelt anchorage point, so you need some serious strength here.
I personally wouldn't do this myself, as the penetration may not be enough, or the material weded to may not be sound enough.
That looks like the rear seatbelt anchorage point, so you need some serious strength here.
I personally wouldn't do this myself, as the penetration may not be enough, or the material weded to may not be sound enough.
yes it is and that is why its is going to be double plated and have a new anchorage put in
try some thinner stuff, the arches don't look that thick.
I'd also get it on gas for the thinner stuff, I did some work on my arches and gasless stuff was a pain which I had to use as I ran out of gas.
Half of the learning is dialling in the right power/wire speed in on the welder
try some thinner stuff, the arches don't look that thick.
I'd also get it on gas for the thinner stuff, I did some work on my arches and gasless stuff was a pain which I had to use as I ran out of gas.
thats just the stuff i been practicing on m8
yes but also practice on thinner stuff as it's alot harder than thicker stuff.
Heres a good site for tips etc: http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/index.php
kitchenman
24-04-2012, 21:42
If you are using gas make up a wind break else the gas will blow away
an Auto helmet is a good buy
an Auto helmet is a good buy
got 1 today made doing the weld letters easier :lol
Groundhog
25-04-2012, 11:07
Gone are the days when I used to arc weld down to 22 gauge with old fashioned rods.
This tip may help, we used to put a lump hammer behind the part to be welded if we had blown through, then build up the edges a little at a time to fill the hole before making a full run. The hammer just took some of the heat away and was never welded.
I guess the theory is the same with mig/tig but it's been a few years since I did any.
andys 4x4
10-06-2012, 00:30
hi try practicing on thin material first, start left to right filling in the molten pool adding to it as you go along. start on a low setting adjusting higher until you feel comfortable with it and the weld has penetrated through to the other side of the material. when you`ve got the right setting it should sound like bacon frying in the pan, a nice continuous crackling sound. always grind the edges to be welded first, the cleaner the materials the better the weld. rust won`t weld nomatter how you try, always prepare the area before you cut the patch plate, visably it looks the size of a 10p piece when you grind it back it ends up the size of a fiver, the dreaded tinworm is unforgiving when it gets hold, and a quick tip, spray your nozzle and tip with wd40 this stops the splatter sticking, it wont catch fire and is about 6 qwid cheaper than anti splatter spray, and the tips are easier to remove later sorry to waffle on i hope it can be of help Andy.:thumbs
when you`ve got the right setting it should sound like bacon frying in the pan, a nice continuous crackling sound.
What's for breakfast ?...:augie:augie
looks good to me, i want to start welding. are those cheaper electric welders suitable for sills etc?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEALEY-100Amp-No-Gas-Gasless-Mighty-Mig-Welder-Wire-/370381352306?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item563c72ed72
?? i figure something like this may be good for people like me who would like to learn, but dont have a lot of money..!
looks good to me, i want to start welding. are those cheaper electric welders suitable for sills etc?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEALEY-100Amp-No-Gas-Gasless-Mighty-Mig-Welder-Wire-/370381352306?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item563c72ed72
?? i figure something like this may be good for people like me who would like to learn, but dont have a lot of money..!
I dont suppose you can go wrong for that money but wether it would be suitable for car bodys is anyones guess it seem to only have 2 settings bearing in mind a good set will cost at least £600-£800 its prob worth a try.
geoffdown
10-06-2012, 11:20
looks good to me, i want to start welding. are those cheaper electric welders suitable for sills etc?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEALEY-100Amp-No-Gas-Gasless-Mighty-Mig-Welder-Wire-/370381352306?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item563c72ed72
?? i figure something like this may be good for people like me who would like to learn, but dont have a lot of money..!
Hi if u want to do welding on body panels then the no gas migs r not good on thin metal get 1that is gas/no gas other wise u will give up as the weld with no gas is very messy I bought a inverter fusion welder cost me 500pounds but after less then 10mins I was welding perfectly and never welded before I no it was expensive but u do get what u pay for but if u want a cheap 1 go for 1 that is not a Chinese copy and can do gas u won't retreat it
I use a Clarke 90 Pro, with gas. I ended up getting a normal gas bottle though from Energas as the little chuck in the bin things run out too fast.
i also upgraded to the larger spool of wire cos the small one run out too fast also.
I have done a lot of practice welding in the workshop and getting prety good with some of it, that www.mig-welding site is ace for showin gyou how to set up, what wire speed to use and power settings. I found start low and slow and build up till you get the best weld. Gas flow around 15lts per minute sould be ok in doors but out side you may need to boost it up a little.
having this has saved me a load of money, and the guy that used to weld for me is happy to give me advice and help me learn, in effect taking money out of his own pocket, but he hates welding cars, :lol
I use a Clarke 90 Pro, with gas. I ended up getting a normal gas bottle though from Energas as the little chuck in the bin things run out too fast.
i also upgraded to the larger spool of wire cos the small one run out too fast also.
I have done a lot of practice welding in the workshop and getting prety good with some of it, that www.mig-welding site is ace for showin gyou how to set up, what wire speed to use and power settings. I found start low and slow and build up till you get the best weld. Gas flow around 15lts per minute sould be ok in doors but out side you may need to boost it up a little.
having this has saved me a load of money, and the guy that used to weld for me is happy to give me advice and help me learn, in effect taking money out of his own pocket, but he hates welding cars, :lol
Turn that gas down 15lpm is way to much 10lpm is more than enough if im paying for the gas 8lpm:cool:
some more pics, all this welding was done gasless aswell
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/535166_10150775863427649_152948105_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/530294_10150775863862649_1325730830_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/156595_10150775864177649_598204509_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/579266_10150775864332649_1846886847_n.jpg
clive i will lend you my welder. if you wish its gassless and the wire isnt cheep but your free to give it ago
clive i will lend you my welder. if you wish its gassless and the wire isnt cheep but your free to give it ago
ooohh...cheap Martin!! itll be later this year but i thought i might have a play and do some learning!
sorry I really am not trying to hijack this thread, its very interesting though and im pretty impressed with the latest pics...
you say its gasless.....what does that mean? i know thats a silly question, its just i was looking at a gasless mig, but it had a bottle of gas attached to it!! sorry, i really dont know about welding.:bow
you can have gasless welders or gas welders (ones that use gas) or like mione both, from what i know u get a better weld from the gas welders than the gasless (neater for one) other than that i dont really know, i turn mine and and make sure i wearing my mask and get on with it lol, will be more pics later of the welding when i find them cos as usuall i found one hole and others appeared lol
when i did the wheel arch i found another hole inside the truck right next to the wheel arch
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/555637_10150775863972649_1940848857_n.jpg
as you can see there i'd cleaned it up a bit just too see how far the rot went, after that i cleaned it a bit further then plated it
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/580693_10150775864057649_1732983446_n.jpg
then onto the front of the truck, the plan was to repair the bumper mount that had snapped while out laning but i found this
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/476471_10150931952742649_128058392_o.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/459558_10150931952897649_1691348778_o.jpg
so cleaned it all up and the rot didn't go as far as i had feared it would
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/461974_10150931953037649_189725037_o.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/415031_10150931953127649_698774537_o.jpg
because of the location of the rot i decided to plate the back aswell and found another hole in the arch lol
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/414687_10150931953207649_1784850177_o.jpg
so plated that aswell
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/471912_10150931953322649_1213462835_o.jpg
also recovered the xmember the rad sits on
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/460125_10150944038432649_89104444_o.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/457894_10150944038552649_1119481030_o.jpg
and trimmed the bumper so it wont get pulled off again :lol
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/412094_10150944038702649_250964265_o.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/414954_10150944038832649_1215577411_o.jpg
christof123
10-06-2012, 21:31
Looks like you have defo had your moneys worth out of the welder.:thumb2
I have to admit though those little ramps under your big truck scare me.:augie
I have to admit though those little ramps under your big truck scare me.:augie
they're bigger and stronger than they look :lol
andys 4x4
10-06-2012, 23:16
hi just a suggestion,its a nice bit of welding for a novice. but may i suggest turning the wire feed down slightly, you should get a more even weld and more penetration in the weld, the slug like look will be reduced, which also saves you grinding it flat afterwards. if the metal is thicker than standard body work, you could up the power slightly to help with the penetration of the weld. please dont take it the wrong way i`m not picking faults, just offering advise which may help you along.
when i first started i kept blowing holes in everything, but i had to start somewhere. well done:clap i was told welding is like sex, the more you do it the better you get at it. all the best with your welding Andy.:thumb2
andys 4x4
10-06-2012, 23:28
hi again, i noticed you are using galvanised sheet when welding,a tip is, grind off all the galv both sides on the edges before welding, as it gives off toxic fumes when welding. you wont get the spitting and popping as the galv burns off.
i also read from a previous post on a quote about your ramps, how about strenthening them up, its extra welding practice, and you cant put a price on your safety. all the best Andy.:thumb2
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