27 replies to this topic

[Punts]

That's a good effort if it's your first time. As has been said before it's all practice. Experiment a bit with different heat settings and wire speeds, when you find one that gives you a good result, write it down, it'll be a good starting point for another day.

[Kam]

um i was mostly doing 90 degrees but occasionally i forgot and did 45s instead

I think your putting too much pressure on yourself? Theres alot to take in when trying it out for the first time so I think you've done well

All the other factors just take time and practise

[Boycie]

To be honest, I've never found the angle of the torch makes that much difference, even though people always go on about it!

More important is a nicely shaped weld, with little or no porusity (sp) that is not just sitting on top of the metal and has penetrated nicely through to the other side.

Remember, pretty much your biggest challenge with thin body panels in getting the least amount of warping as possible. The technique Michael expalined is what I use for non load-bearing jobs, like outer wheelarch repairs.

[trafficface09]

cind of like how you staple a canvas to the back of a 2x2

how about when it gets a bit tighter? does anyone find it hard to get the ark between existing weld

curious though about thoes mrk 1 conversion rear light panels how do i get the straight? spirit buble?

and where the hell can i earth it?

[davidv]

Yes it is a good go.Every one will soon want you De-Seaming Minis but not yet.

[Kam]

and where the hell can i earth it?

Whatever your welding to just hook up the clamp to your workpiece, just make sure its bare metal where it gets clamped. I even tried hooking it to a piece of sheet metal that was placed on the workpiece as the workpiece was quite small, still worked

[trafficface09]

water conducts electricity right? earth it to that ahaha

anyway i was going to ask. i have had rather sensitive eyes after welding. still do, i had my mask on at all times. apart from when my friend was welding. i looked away at all times.

feels like eye strain/ headache do i have arc eye?

i hope so it sounds awsome!

Edit: poor spelling

Edited by trafficface09, 10 March 2010 - 11:57 PM.

[davidv]

Hope not if it is it feals like sand in the eye and do not rub.Get some squirt of the doctors..We want you on soldering jobs.You have seen the light,all the best mate.

[trafficface09]

i dono, a bit like sand, but its not extremely painful. i doesn't hurt its just slightly uncomfortable, i think i may have got exposure of a white wall.

doctors closed

oh i think it may be time to join a Southwest mini club and meet up. one with a garage.
i can offer my services as a welder and fibreglass dude.

maybe they can help me with my hatchback conversion idea

Edited by trafficface09, 11 March 2010 - 12:18 AM.

[Kam]

i have had rather sensitive eyes after welding. still do, i had my mask on at all times. apart from when my friend was welding. i looked away at all times

What mask are you using? I ditched the hand held jobbie and got a full mask with auto tint so I dont have to bother dropping the helmet. It auto tints on arc.

If your full face mask does have a setting on the side it could be that? Notch it up

[trafficface09]

i have had rather sensitive eyes after welding. still do, i had my mask on at all times. apart from when my friend was welding. i looked away at all times

What mask are you using? I ditched the hand held jobbie and got a full mask with auto tint so I dont have to bother dropping the helmet. It auto tints on arc.

If your full face mask does have a setting on the side it could be that? Notch it up

i had the settings, it on medium low

[trafficface09]

things are on the up, i am fabricating some square shrouds to fit into my grill for my raydot fogs, i did several consitently average welds with good penitration and no misses. my eyes still feel slightly strained but the higher settings helped on the mask

that is all thanks

[davidv]

All the Welders will advise care for the eyes is no.1.
You can buy a top solution to fix a light burn from the Optitions.Its made for contact wearers and sorts out small eye problems only but safe.Costs a few pounds.You could also use buffered Saline.