3 replies to this topic

[Jwatts93]

hello
soon im looking to weld on a new front end, wings, front end etc...
what would be the best welder to use for this as i am just about to buy a mig welder.
would i be able to use a mig welder to do this?
this is my first restoration and my first welder.
so any help i would be grateful

cheers guys

[KLMOC]

gas mig's are good for welding on mini's and would be good for welding your front end on. However if its your first weld, practice on similar sheet metal and also different welds ( lap joins, plug welds, seam welding) etc. to get use to the welder at what setting and speed is best. Most of your welding should be good plug welding on Mini's with seam welding behind the front panel to inner wings and front panel to wings.. You may need a panel punch to punch the holes in the panels to make it easier than drilling them too.

Edited by KLMOC, 22 January 2013 - 04:17 PM.

[Jwatts93]

I've just bought a Clarke 90 en gas/no gas but I will be using it with gas, I wil have to research different techniques as I'm not familiar at the moment and what do you mean a panel punch to punch and not drilling holes what should I be doing this in ?
Thanks for your reply and help its much appreciated

[sonikk4]

Have you had a look at this thread
http://www.theminifo...se-for-welding/

On the first page seventh picture down at the top is a hole punch and joggler.

Now i would not recommend these hole punches as to be honest the holes they create are small. I drill every hole at a 1/4". This gives you a good sized plug weld that will be very strong.

The thread will also show you different welds as well. You will need to practise on scrap 0.9mm thick steel as this is the main thickness of steel you will find on a mini. There are areas that are 1.2mm thick are the front bulkhead cross member and the rear heelboard.

The main techniques you need to master are,

Plug welding
Seam welding
Pulse welding.

Plug welding is the technique you will need in place of spot welding. This will need a high power setting for decent penetration.
Seam welding is awkward on thin steel and without a lot of practise you will blow holes.
Pulse welding will overcome the hole blowing and form a weld that looks like a seam weld. This is basically a long series of tack welds that overlap. You need a decent power setting to get penetration and the pulses to weld together well. The finished result should look like this