948 replies to this topic

[gaspen]

Thanks colin, that is exactly what I wanted to describe 

[Viktor]

Viktor, if you look closely at Gaspens photo, you can see the inner wing has a return fold along the hinge section, this goes around 25mm past the A-post at top and bottom and 10mm in middle, then the A-panel is bent around this to sandwich it in place.

Here's a quick video showing that part
VID_20210719_204319

Don't know if clicking on the picture opens the video, if not try link underneath picture

Hi Colinf1, I can see it now on your video. Unfortunately that bit was rotten on my inner wing and was removed with the A-panel and outer wing. I might need to create that lip with a piece of clean metal. Thanks for the video!

Victor.

[Viktor]

Thanks colin, that is exactly what I wanted to describe 

Hi Gaspen, thanks for pointing that out. I didn't know about that lip, which would have caused a lot of pain when trying to fit the A-panel.

 

Cheers mate

 

Victor.

[Viktor]

Another weekend busy in the garage. I believe this is the most difficult repair I have done on my project so far. This is the bottom repair of the inner wing, with a double curve and a lot of aligment to do before welding. Some photos of the process:

 

First of all a good clean of the area inside and out.

 

 

Then looking for the spot wleds to remove part of the floor pan, which will be replaced later on.

 

 

 

First attempt trying to align the repair panel with the chamfer along the A-post and the bottom part of the engine bay. I believe this is called the toe board?

 

 

I used a few screws to fix the panel and also did some holes for the spot welding.

 

 

 

I painted the repair panel and the car itself with zinc primer.

 

 

 

Once I cut the panel, I aligned the repair panel using the screws and the clamps. I put lots of them to ensure the panel was following the double curve of the inner wing.

 

 

 

And then once I was happy with the aligment, it was time to start welding.

 

 

 

Once the panel was secured, I removed all the screws and clamps.

 

 

And used an aluminium plate inside to weld the bigger gaps.

 

 

 

And then I run out of gas and have to stop welding. I still need to weld the final corner before I can say it is done.

 

 

Question for the audience: I am using the small canisters for the gas supply of my Mig welder. These are expensive and they don't last much.  I have used already 3 of them and I have not welded that much. What people use with their welding machines? I heard some people use big gas bottles, but not sure which one should I buy and where? Same with the gas regulator, I guess I need to buy a new one if I go with larger bottles? Any advice much be much appreciated.

 

Have a nice week.

 

Cheers.

 

Victor.

[colinf1]

Looks like you are making good progress and getting better with the welds!

I was using the small bottles, but maybe got 10minutes from one due to a leak in the gas line connection.
Moved to the 20L Argosheild bottle, with new regulator, came to around €300 😭 as it was a new bottle rather than a refill.

Refill will cost just under €100 but hopefully get a lot of welding done before needing that 🤞

[gaspen]

I am using 10 kg CO bottle, because it has a good price value ratio. It should last for years - if I wouldn't forget to close the tap   

Someone using Corgon instead (Co and Argon mixture) because it will produce nicer welds, but it is more expensive.

 

Basic rule is multiply the wire gauge (mm)  with 10 and you will get the necessary flow rate in liter/minute. For a 0,6 mm wire you'll need 6 L/min flow. I set too much flow at the beginning, wasted one bottle to soon.

 

You don't need to change the regulator for a bigger bottle. The connection are standard, you can fit it to any bottle. 

[Viktor]

Looks like you are making good progress and getting better with the welds!

I was using the small bottles, but maybe got 10minutes from one due to a leak in the gas line connection.
Moved to the 20L Argosheild bottle, with new regulator, came to around €300 as it was a new bottle rather than a refill.

Refill will cost just under €100 but hopefully get a lot of welding done before needing that

Hi Colinf1, thanks mate. I know this is a long run, but that is a bit expensive for me. I will have a look anyway to see if there are other options a bit cheaper, perhaps a smaller bottle that can be also refilled. Cheers.

[Viktor]

I am using 10 kg CO bottle, because it has a good price value ratio. It should last for years - if I wouldn't forget to close the tap 

Someone using Corgon instead (Co and Argon mixture) because it will produce nicer welds, but it is more expensive.

 

Basic rule is multiply the wire gauge (mm)  with 10 and you will get the necessary flow rate in liter/minute. For a 0,6 mm wire you'll need 6 L/min flow. I set too much flow at the beginning, wasted one bottle to soon.

 

You don't need to change the regulator for a bigger bottle. The connection are standard, you can fit it to any bottle. 

Hi Gaspen, thanks for the comment mate. Do you remember how much you paid for that bottle? I need to change my regulator, as this is the one that came with the welder and it is very basic. You cannot regulate the flow with it. It has only 2 positions (on / off). Cheers.

[sonscar]

I rent a bottle from BOC and have done for 35 years during which time I have probably been royally ripped off.The large bottle may look expensive but over the whole job will handsomely pay for itself many times over not only financially but in performance.Choose wisely,cry at the expense for a few days then crack on.Looking better,Steve..

[gaspen]

I see, I see. In this case you'll need something like these. One gauge shows the pressure in the bottle, other one is for the flow rate, which you can adjust with the big black knob. A fully loaded bottle is about 50 bar. I suppose you know about these 

 

I don't if it makes sense to compare the prices in Hungary and in UK. Here a filled bottle is ~90-100GBP and the exchange is ~25GBP. 

 

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[sonscar]

A BOC bottle is 300 bar,it used to be 230 so need to check the regulator,Steve..

[Ben_O]

Looks at hobbyweld for your gas.

There is no bottle rent on them and it's good value. You go there, fill out some basic details and pay for your initial bottle. You then keep that bottle until you need a refill and then go back and exchange it for another.

 

Search them up on Google and see where your nearest stockist is. They usually operate out of builders merchants.

 

Another is Adams gas.

 

I use a local firm for mine. So much better than the likes of BOC who i used to use who charge bottle rental so it can be pricey, especially for home use.

 

I would definately recommend using argoshield though and you will need a different regulator to convert from the disposable cannisters. The gas supplier will probably sell you one.

 

Ben

[Viktor]

Thanks everyone for your useful comments, really appreciated as always.

 

I will do a bit of research and probably make a decision after the summer holidays.

 

Cheers.

 

Victor.

[Viktor]

So I managed to buy a bigger gas bottle for my Mig welder. I went to my HobbyWeld local supplier and got one of their small bottles. It is a Argon / CO2 mix with the regulator. I paid £70 for the bottle deposit + £45 for the refill and £40 for the gas regulator. I think it is a reasonable amount, just hoping the gas to last much longer!

 

So I built myself a small trolley to keep the gas bottle and the welder together. Not the best looking trolley in Britain, but does the job and costed me just a few quids!

 

 

I noticed, that even with the gas open to the minimum and the black knob also open very slightly, there's a lot of gas coming out from the welder. Not sure if this is because the type of gas, or because the gas is kept at much more pressure in the bottle than the small canisters I was using before. Some advice about the use of this new regulator would be much appreciated, as the instructions are not explaining that much! 

 

Anyway, I just finished welding the repair panel before I take some days off with the family. Some final photos.

 

 

 

And then, after a bit of grinding this is the final result.

 

 

 

I still need to build the lip along the A-post to bend the A-panel over. That will be once I'm back.

 

Cheers.

 

Victor.

[colinf1]

I think it's 10L/min for the flow rate, set it on black knob and leave it, use knob on gas bottle as on/off.
As for turning it ON, I open it maybe 1/4 turn or less.

Good work on repair and in trolley, looks good, save you having to stoop down as much to change the wire!