On that one I was pulling. On a few others I was pushing depending on my angle of attack.
Do I need to change anything if I'm pushing or pulling?
First time welding
- Thread starter jeff88
- Start date
On that one I was pulling. On a few others I was pushing depending on my angle of attack.
Do I need to change anything if I'm pushing or pulling?
daprotege5
Member
came upon this thread, and having my 4runner for a couple years now, welding would be a useful skill to have. if i ever have to fix frame, and i definitely want to put on the metal bumper so would be nice to do it myself and learn.
what are the differences in flux, tig, mig??? i'm pretty mechanical and generally good at fixing stuff so i'm a quick learner. but i have no clue what the differences are???.... or is their a one that suits all methods of welding???
any of the harbor freight units good???
what are the differences in flux, tig, mig??? i'm pretty mechanical and generally good at fixing stuff so i'm a quick learner. but i have no clue what the differences are???.... or is their a one that suits all methods of welding???
any of the harbor freight units good???
Great tip, I did not know this and will use it next time!
brillo_76
Elite Member
Flux is welding without shielding gas as shielding gas keep oxygen out of the weld joint.
Tig is welding aluminum and stainless steel Aluminum welds with argon gas and prefers AC to DC. Its also the hardest to learn because you hold a torch and feed the filler rod in when welding.
Mig is what you would do to steel frames and body panels. I use a Lincoln MP 210 machine which is a multi process machine. it will do all the above but the tig attachment people do not care for. Plus its pure DC so iffy with aluminum.
You didnt mention stick welding which is what welding with a electrode stick that takes the place of the wire. Its mostly AC. Not as common as it once was. My MP210 will do it but i havent stick welded in years.
Some people use the Harbor Freight ones. They don't seem to be multi process welders. They do weld mig gas and no gas (Flux core Wire)
I do have a harbor freight plasma cutter that seems to be working just fine that will cut through steel up to 5/8 inch think I believe.
I mostly don't weld anything heavier then 1/4 myself and down to 20 or 22 gauge.
Like anything else it a process and its best to research around for what is best for your needs.
I prefer MIG with shielding gas myself and for welding frames, you need a 240/110 machine as its hard to weld frames with 110 MIG as they just don't have enough amps... Especially on rusty metal. ( I used to do it with a 110 machine and its harder)
Gas need to be done indoors with zero air moving. Flux core is gas less can be done outside in wind. Flux core will also penetrate rusty steel better. I just cant stand the extra splatter as that's how you really get burnt up. I tired it and said no thank you. Also no matter what you do, you get more splatter and popping on rusty steel do to the rust oxide on the metal. (from the extra oxygen in the rust)
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chapolito
New member
I would say that I'm also a quick learner and have a lot of varied experience across different trades. But I just started to learn tig a couple weeks ago and geez is it difficult! I feel like non of my skills translate...my welds are horrendous. But don't let that discourage you, just have reasonable expectations for learning
I would saw OP's welds look pretty great!
I would say that I'm also a quick learner and have a lot of varied experience across different trades. But I just started to learn tig a couple weeks ago and geez is it difficult! I feel like non of my skills translate...my welds are horrendous. But don't let that discourage you, just have reasonable expectations for learning
I would saw OP's welds look pretty great!
Hey [MENTION=648462]chapolito[/MENTION] - is that an inner wheel well to body seam? If so, recommend not welding it and use a 3M body panel adhesive instead (two part adhesive). Rust/water/oxygen proof, easier to apply and stronger than welding, literally. About $50 for a good size tube and you need a special applicator - not cheap but worth it for some areas IMO. Depends on the purpose of the vehicle. Just a thought.
chapolito
New member
It is, here is a zoomed out view of the two replacement patches:
It was a huge PITA. I just gave up trying to weld the back joint against the quarter panel area. was barely any metal left and I was just burning holes through it. Am planning on using seam sealer around the whole thing, but just using the body panel adhesive would have been a lot quicker/easier. Was a good first welding project though.
I've had good exp welding said with a Mig 110v machine w/.023 wire, use a copper plate behind the area being weld when ever possible and clean clean clean before welding. Have one welder set up specifically for body work.
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brillo_76
Elite Member
It's a skill.. If burning through your welder is set too high. Set it for thinner steel. If its set as low as oil can go. Slow the wire speed down.It is, here is a zoomed out view of the two replacement patches:
It was a huge PITA. I just gave up trying to weld the back joint against the quarter panel area. was barely any metal left and I was just burning holes through it. Am planning on using seam sealer around the whole thing, but just using the body panel adhesive would have been a lot quicker/easier. Was a good first welding project though.
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