Re: [T3] Welding new rockers and such

[John Jaranson <jaransonT3@comcast.net>]

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On Jul 1, 2004, at 11:16 PM, Air_Cooled_Nut wrote:

> I figured oxy-ace would warp the metal too easily but I guess a small 
> tip
> would help curb that...I'll have to try that out some day.  My 
> preference
> would be MIG w/gas -- don't get gasless!  I would only recommend 
> gasless MIG
> welding for breezy/windy locations where the gas variety may not fare 
> well.
> Don't even attempt to arc weld it because the metal is waaaay to thin!

Gasless is certainly not the best, but it very easy to use and cheap.  
I have a super cheap gasless welder.  It has two settings, hi and lo.  
No feed rate control, nothing.  Runs on 110 volt.

It takes some practice with it and you have to wirebrush the welds 
every so often and you do get some splatter, but it is very cost 
effective.  I have welded 1/8" plate with it and black pipe.  I did all 
of the rust repair on Sophy with it.  I really like mine, but a finer 
control on power (temperature) and feedrate would be good.

You can actually get a better machine with a continuously variable 
temperature setting and feedrate control at Harbor Freight for less 
than $200.  If cost is an issue and you aren't going to do really fine 
work on thin material or need to weld aluminum or other exotic 
materials, the gasless, flux core wire feed welders work pretty good.  
Most will even let you upgrade to gas with an add-on kit.

> Practice, practice, practice!  Just 'stitch' or spot-weld the metal, 
> you don't
> want to weld in a continuous bead.  It would be easier but you'll warp 
> the
> hell outta the sheet metal :-(  It does take longer.

I have one of the auto-darkening helmets from Harbor Freight.  Best 
investment I ever made for welding.  My weld quality went up by orders 
of magnitude when I switched to the auto-darkening helmet.  Plus I was 
welding faster.  Highly recommended.  They even had it on sale for $49 
a few weeks ago.

Later,
John Jaranson
'66 Square (Sophy)
'71 Fasty (Jane - darkside project in waiting)
various parts.....don't we all.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jaransonT3/jaransonT3/
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jaransonT3/2004Invasion/
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jaransonT3/notavwclub/

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