Situation: cracked subframe where 21 integ R sway bar was connected by the beaks kit. Need to attach a new rear cross member. Going to buy a welder but need some advice on what type of welder, and method/pattern weld. Any info would be appreciated.. thanks in advance.

 

try the fabrication forum.

 

I wouldn't buy a welder if you dont have experience. It's not that easy as you think....

But if you dont care there are few choice of welders. Like GTAW, ARC, Oxy-acc, TIG, and etc. The most versatile for any situations would be either Oxy-acc or TIG welder. Before using any welder, I recomend taking a welding class first, because I know. I have taken welding classes and it's not simple.

 

I do have experience in welding, ive used it to fabricate a chassy for an electric vehicle that withstood up to 500 lbs of weight, as well as the roll cage and supports. On the electric car i used a mig wire flux.

I used an tig before doing various projects. For something carring 2000lbs and force from hard cornering to reinforce that crossmember, would the mig be sufficent? Also something to keep in mind is cost. The reason why im attempting to do this myself is because i cant fork the cash for the repairs in a shop...

 

For a cross member, I would rather recomend using a ARC welder do to the tencil strength Electrodes like a E6010, E6011, or whatever, which will hold up to 60,000lbs of pressure or more.

Some MIG welders wont cut it because it might not get enough penetration into the metal. Also the flux core feed is an issue. You would probably have to sit there and waste alot time doing lots of passes to fix a cross member depending on how much of a damage it is.

If you dont want to fork out too much....I would recomend getting a Lincoln MIG electric welder that could do DCEP, DCEN, and AC. And at least something that could get up to 150amps at most(it would be more versatile ). Gas and electric assisted one. It would ussually range around the $500 range. Hope this helps you narrow it down a little.

If you want more details on welding and material contents....get the book called, "Welding Essentials: Questions and answers" by William Galvery(my professor who tought me welding) Frank Marlow.

If you have any questions, I have the book in front of me to answer you the upmost questioned htings in welding if you need it.