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Welding??

Abu

Abu

Trekker
I have noticed a few holes developing in my chassis:o and have been wondering if its possible to fix them myself rather then pay 150 quid each year for a couple of plates:rolleyes:

can anyone suggest a suitable MIG for my needs?? Is it MIG i need? Got a budget of 150 quid to 200. Is that enough? Will probably be able to get things cheap through work.

I know nowt about welding so happy to listen/read/be pointed in the right direction if peeps are happy to oblige! Please:)

If its not a possibility ill just stick to chopping things up with our works oxycetalene torch....Mu ha ha ha:eek:

Adam
 
Yes, a MIG Welder is ideal. I can't remember what the recommended output of it is to weld a Land Rover chassis. Just remember to get 2mm steel, oh and enjoy cutting it if you have to use tin-snips like I had to for my 2A. :D
 
Clarke mig 150TE-turbo...[Machine mart I think}
Brilliant for everything you are likely to want to weld...Even Callisr can use it;) He was so pleased with his welding he went out and bought a new frock in the same shade of blue :D
Cya
mungo:)
 
Cracking chaps:)

Ill contact the boss and see what price he can get me for the Clarke150TE (turbo) and accessories....and then i get to learn:D

Don't worry Rich no tin snips needed here:D:D....got myself a load of different grinders, re-cips, torches etc if the things a git:rolleyes:

Many thanks
 
Hi Abu
I've got a Clarke too, 150 EN turbo, it's probably ten years old. Still going good. You can fit the big rolls of welding wire on there, which you will need. Also, it needs to be 15 amp fused or it will keep blowing. Don't forget at the same time to buy a good quality face shield and decent welding gloves if you don't already have them.

Adrian
 
Get yourself one of these and some good gloves.

Welding mask

They take a bit of trusting, but when you get used to them they are great. And remember metal has to be VERY hot to melt so use long sleeve's, proper trousers, and gloves because it is very unforgiving and burns badly!!
 
Cheers for the hints:)

Cocky...ha ive got enough scars from cutting steel with the oxycetelene torch. At least its a form of entertainment for the guys on site when im flapping about like a hyped up kangaroo after a piece of hot metal has managed to get down my collar:D:DIll get myself a mask but not from machine mart...the price £££!!!
 
I just got onr of those auto darkening mask from ebay for £40, i ordered it in the morning and it came the next day!

Its great, it changes from light to dark in less than 1 milli second.
 
Cocky Lil Guy said:
Get yourself one of these and some good gloves.

Welding mask

They take a bit of trusting, but when you get used to them they are great. And remember metal has to be VERY hot to melt so use long sleeve's, proper trousers, and gloves because it is very unforgiving and burns badly!!
Click to expand...

I've heard of these Cocky, do they really work fast enough to stop 'arc eye'? The other thing about wearing good heavy clothing is; it stops 'sunburn'. A lot of people forget its not just your eyes that can be damaged by the arc.

Roger.
 
Roger Whittle said:
do they really work fast enough to stop 'arc eye'?
Click to expand...
Yes they do if you get a decent one...I have been using a solar powered Esab for about 8 years and never had a problem. I would say though that it's worthwhile learning with a non electronic mask as some people I have seen and taught to weld get used to the easiness of the electronic ones and cant deal with using a standard one.

With regard to MiG machines I would suggest you buy the biggest you can afford, you can weld small stuff with a big welder, but welding big stuff with a small welder takes a certain degree of knowledge and skill. Dont forget that once you've learnt you'll suddenly have loads of things you'll want to make. :rolleyes:

Oh and practice...practice...practice.....:)
 
also , its worth checking if your chassis harness runs through the main chassis rail , should be on the drivers side if it does.
you dont want to melt it or you will have a world of electrical problems to deal with.
 
Yeah 150 clarke is a good budget welder. You may be able to get a 160 or 170 amp model if you get one of the vat free days at Machine Mart.Nearly all these cheaper machines are made by a few companys in Italy then re-badged Try to sort out your gas which can be as big a problem and costly if going BOC.

Gasless is not as good generally. Especially for beginners and with budget machines.

Alex
 
alex said:
Yeah 150 clarke is a good budget welder. You may be able to get a 160 or 170 amp model if you get one of the vat free days at Machine Mart.Nearly all these cheaper machines are made by a few companys in Italy then re-badged Try to sort out your gas which can be as big a problem and costly if going BOC.

Gasless is not as good generally. Especially for beginners and with budget machines.

Alex
Click to expand...

Gasless is expensive...Then small gas cylinders are also expensive.
Talk to a friendly pub landlord and see if he will loan/give/sell you brewery co2 gas cylinder, you will need the valve as well.
The 150 takes the bigger wire roll too;)
Cya
Mungo:)
 
Seems the Mig may be the way to go - i've tried them but just can't seem to get a good weld :( . Must just be me :o .

One of the most versatile types is oxy acetelene - seems that you have access to that already so i thought i would throw that idea into the mix ?.There are a few problems with it like increased risk of fire , keeping the gas near or at a domestic premises and maybe warping of the weld metal cos the heat isn't very localised .
But - it can be used to heat and cut , the weld area doesn't require to be prepared perfect and it is reasonably easy to pick up .
 
It is easier if you make a template out of cardboard first. then you can draw around it on your sheet metal. Use G clamps to hold it in place, then tack the patch on in several places before you start to weld around it.This stops the edges from lifting up as it gets hot.
 
For chassis work MIG is the best option. Arc welding is harder because of the shortening electrode as you weld, and more annoying due to the slag that needs removed. Tig welding produces wonderful welds but is slower, and you must feed the filler wire with the other hand. Oxy-acetelene welding is similar to Tig, but distortion is more likely.

Only weld clean metal. Practice on similar material in a similar way to how you will have to weld. Best to make holes/metal blobs on practice metal than on the vehicle. Avoid the small bottles if you can, they are expensive for the quantity of gas you get.

Best option: borrow equipment from someone that sells top end welding equipment... like I am. Next best: borrow somebody else's equipment. Even better if you can have them demonstrate how to weld on the chassis itself...

Jonathan Paton
 
best way to get the metal is to go down the steel stock holdes and by 2 mm hoop in the width of the chasi unit you want to weld that way you only have to cut for length

me i cheat on cuting though ive got an oxford bantam welder if i use holow rods and hook up and airline at 100 psi watch out forth bridge it will cut anything.
 
Rage Rover said:
Seems the Mig may be the way to go - i've tried them but just can't seem to get a good weld :( . Must just be me :o .

One of the most versatile types is oxy acetelene - seems that you have access to that already so i thought i would throw that idea into the mix ?.There are a few problems with it like increased risk of fire , keeping the gas near or at a domestic premises and maybe warping of the weld metal cos the heat isn't very localised .
But - it can be used to heat and cut , the weld area doesn't require to be prepared perfect and it is reasonably easy to pick up .
Click to expand...

gas welding is fine, I used it for a couple of years and it was fine for me...the gas was getting quite pricey though.....fine if youre using it loads but even whe your'e not you still have to pay rental. Like it's been said...it will burn holes in anything if you dont know what your'e doing and tends to set fire to the most expensive thing you didn't want to burn :D
 
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