20 replies to this topic

[Tucker SP]

Allways use a mask, just like having sand in your eyes or worse

Tucker

[siggy]

Never ever try welding without a mask, Ark eye is when the bright light BURNS part of your eye. Very bad for you.

Dont bother with a big bottle unless you plan on rebuilding a car a month. If you correctly adjust the gas rate a disposable bottle will last for ages. I have in the past used them and been able to seam weld a full shell on less than one bottle.

As Doug says practice is the best. I would start on say 3 mm steel, its much easier to weld thicker metal, till you get the hang of it then try smaller stuff. Don't use old steel buy some new, 3 mm flat bar is about £3 for a 7 meter lenght.
You local panel suppiler will sell you the correct size sheet of steel for body repairs.

The main thing is to make 100% sure that whatever you are welding is clean, all the rust and dirt cleaned/ground off.

Siggy

[bluebottle]

the other usually free source of metal is your local sunroof fitting centre!

we had to put a few patches on my mates racer over the winter, went to the local sunroof place, and he was very helpful, just said take as much as you want!

[robmeeks]

cheers bud

[Bluemini]

I only have a cheap hand held mask and its a pain in the arse because you always have to have one hand holding the mask. If your on a tight budget at least get a head mask so you have an extra hand to support the torch if necessary.

Machine Mart sell wrap around head masks for less than £10, a small price to pay for keeping your eyes safe!

[cowboy]

i cant enforsice enough on wearing a mask, when i started welding, the trill and error method, i wa using an arc welder, lost count of teh times i was in hospital with arc eye, not worth it your site is the best thing you have!!!!!!!!!!!!