1535 replies to this topic

[MiNi FiZ]

wow, reggie is still here then?!?!? awesome!!

Edit: page 98 is mineeee!!!

new page, new pic

Edited by MiNi FiZ, 28 July 2011 - 11:11 PM.

[Bean]

Of course Reggie is still here.


However, Reggie is on hold for a bit - Due to his older, bigger brother being stolen from me & his younger brother nearly being stolen from us.

That, and his Mummy broke her foot.


Sorry to all you guys and gals following - I hope I will update you soon.

So - I hope to get back in the garage soon, but I can't guarantee when that will be.

[Bean]

Thought I would go and spend some quality time with Reggie today, so took a look at his floor again.

I've lost count of how many times I've now welded, ground it back, welded, ground it back - on both sides.

As you can see, there's still a massive blow out in the middle of the well - and another 2 smaller ones at the edge - Not sure what I'm going to do with this! And still need to sort the far end of the panel - I've not touched this yet at all.

[Bean]

Oh - And welding masks were definitely NOT made for ladies!

[Dev20]

I usually use a bit of copper flat bar and hold behind the area you've blown through. It helps absorb the excess heat and you can build weld up onto it without it actually welding to the copper. So basically, get the copper bar behind the hole, and start building up weld round the edges of the hole to close it up. Hope this helps.

[Bean]

Cheers, Dev! - I'll give that a go! I'm a total newbie when it comes to welding, so I will take it slow and see what happens! I just dread the hole getting bigger, lol.

[Shifty]

I've never used copper behind the joint, if you need to resort to stuff like that then the gap is too big or the metal too weak. In my mind this leads to a weak joint and thats not good!!

Gap filling is a bit of an art but easy once you get the hang of it.

Most welders have what is known as a "ramp up" facillity, basically imagine the power delivered by the welder as a slope, when you press the trigger the power "ramps" up this slope until it gets to max and then stays there. By only pressing the trigger for a fraction of a second the welder never makes it to the top of this slope and hence doesn't deliver full power.

For thin and weak metal we can use this to our advantage as the welder won't be powerful enough to blow holes.

On the blow hole you need to work from the outside inwards, what you need to do is cover the edge of the circle with weld, this will give you a base to fill the gap with.

Blip the welder trigger and cover the inner edge of the circle, you don't want it getting too hot or the hole will just get bigger!!

Once the edge is covered you can start to work your way in. The closer to the centre you get the longer your "blips" will be.

If you're unhappy with what you've done, cut it out and start again, theres no shame in doing that. I've looked at stuff I've done and been unhappy with it, before you know it the plasma torch has been fired up and theres no evidence!!!

Butt welding can be tricky and the best way is to "Pulse Weld", its welding in very short bursts, kind of like an extended tack weld. Do a short burst and then wait for the glow from the bit you've welded to fade from the view behind your mask. Once faded start again, this prevents you putting too much heat into the joint and then burning through.

As you get better the Pulses get longer and the waiting less!!

The aim is to not put too much heat into the joint, this is what causes blow throughs. The glow through the mask(or lack of it) is a good indicator that the joint has cooled and its safe to continue.

Edited by Shifty, 24 September 2011 - 09:35 PM.
ooopss!!

[Bean]

LOL - I'm glad you corrected that! I got totally stuck & was trying to work out what you meant!

Thanks so much for the info, Shifty! So, these short bursts - They'll result in tiny little beads of weld, right? And circle around the outside and work my way inwards? Once there's enough metal there, the blobs will get bigger, till the hole is filled? Or have I understood that all wrong?

[Shifty]

Yeah, fosters and trying to explain how to weld doesn't seem to go together!!

Lucky I read it back!!

Yup, tiny beads of weld, you're re-inforcing the edge of the blow hole ready to be filled in.

You'd be amazed at the area you can fill in using this method!!

The key is NOT to put too much heat in the joint, thats what kills it and causes distortion. Takes a bit longer but makes a much better job.

[Bean]

Sweet - Thanks! I will give that a go and report back! Thanks Shifty!

[Shifty]

No probs and looking forward to seeing how you get on!!!

[Bean]

Not seen Reggie for a fair few months now ...

2012 is his year though - We'll get back on the case shortly! (Once I've found him again underneath all of the stuff in the garage )

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

Been a looooong time since I've been in here, Jean!! Get an update up with lots of piccies once his lovely little face is exposed once more

[Bean]

You really don't want to see his face right now ...

[davej]

No we do, hope you get him sorted this year We love Reggie