yay for welding!

getting use to tig welding aluminum...

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDM_JON &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">getting use to tig welding aluminum...
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Constructive criticism -
I'm assuming that piping is pretty thin. If you're able to feed that much aluminum filler into a weld easily, try lowering the heat and using less filler metal. You'll be able to get the same amount of penetration but have a smoother looking appearence.

I've read a whole bunch on welding techniques/practices. I would definitly be interested in trying to learn how to. I had heard that the cheap welders found on ebay were good for exhaust/charge pipe work, provided that it wasn't aluminum. (Flux welder is what I was told they were called)Now, does anyone have any experience with one of these cheap ones? I believe they make cheap arc welders, as well as mig/tig (Cheap being under 400 or so dollars). Could anyone please give me some reccomendations, as I'm considering purchasing one to do some work on my car? BTW: My friends dad has oxy acetalyine torches but the oxygen tank is empty. He would probobly assist me in learning. Oh, and I would definitly learn how to do it off of the car before I began doing stuff on the car. Thanks alot

I have a sub-$200 Craftsman flux core mig welder and I suck with it. I know the welder is cheap and not very good, but I also know that it is much more capable than I am.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DanW &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have a sub-$200 Craftsman flux core mig welder and I suck with it. I know the welder is cheap and not very good, but I also know that it is much more capable than I am.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Can you weld 2 pieces of mild steel piping? I'm local. I would drop a PM but can't.

I probably could but it would look nasty. I'm sure you could find someone in the Fairfax area to do it for you. There's a guy local to me (Winchester) that does welding and exhaust work for a very good price. A co-worker of mine had a new catback built and welded for his Tercel for under $100.

Holy mackeral. That's wild. I haven't been able to find anyone really, that's why I'm considering trying to learn..plus I figure it's a useful skill to know. thanks

The worst thing that you can do for yourself is to teach yourself how to weld incorrectly with the wrong techniques. For $400 or so I'd take a welding class at a local trade school or community college. You get unlimited use of welding machines ,tools, materials, and metals along with an instructor who has hopefully been welding for decades that can teach you techniques from experience.

If you still want to get a MIG welder go for something like this - http://www.mylincolnelectric.c...=2515
The price is around $350 for the machine itself, and if you're going to do gas shielded welding, you'll also need an Argon mix tank that starts at around $75. Also you'll need a decent welding helmet (the one included in that kit you have to hold in front of your face ), welding gloves, safety glasses, welding jacket, and some pants and shoes that won't easily catch on fire (no nylon or polyester).

Any other questions, just ask away. There are a bunch of posts on http://www.fab-forum.com that deal with beginners in welding.

Here is an idea i wonder waht you guys think about. I am about to start fabbing up an Intake runner/throttle body cooler. I just purchased today a 48"x48" sheet of Cold rolled steel. ($12) And i plan on basically encasing the intake runners and throttle body. Inside the case will be refridgerator tubing that will shoot on the I.R. and throttle body. The case will be sealed to prevent excess gas from leaking. However, there will be a small vent to release excess pressure. What do you all think?
I will put up pics later tonight to show my absolute horrid welds

Major logic flaw: Refrigerant doesn't get cold unless it can continually expand. "Bottling it in" will allow it to expand a little bit, but won't make the runner cold.

Now back to the welding thread.... I'm surprised nobody has posted pictures of my first abortive attempt to make a turbo manifold.... Remember, the "Worst DIY turbo kit, ever"?

Yes, i am aware of that refrigerant doesn't get cold unless it can expand. However, it is co2 that is going to split off the ic sprayer. Also, the box will not be sealed, therefore allowing the gasses to expand. The box is going to be there to keep the Gasses in that general area for longer to cool the runners better.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by toyosupr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">nice tinker, if i cant make my own sst then ill buy it off you for the 500plus im going to attempt to make that same one though, wish me luck.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Oh man, just Looking back through the Thread agian, Wow i think alot of people have come along way... haha

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by beepy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Now back to the welding thread.... I'm surprised nobody has posted pictures of my first abortive attempt to make a turbo manifold.... Remember, the "Worst DIY turbo kit, ever"? </TD></TR></TABLE>

post em

Is it possible to get a nice mig welder for about 3 hundred dollars ?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 90blackcrx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is it possible to get a nice mig welder for about 3 hundred dollars ?</TD></TR></TABLE>

haha, that made my day

I got lucky enough to pick up a TIG machine and suitcase mig welder for 150 bux but I wouldn't depend on finding deals like that. (the welding machine and suitcase welder is worth over 2700 easily)

look to spend around 1000+ for a nice welding machine......trust me, I own three

got my lincoln weld pak 100 for $350 at home depot. Great for a machine for a noob

Anybody got a good friend that can weld good in Atlanta? i'm looking for one.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TurboDaveR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">got my lincoln weld pak 100 for $350 at home depot. Great for a machine for a noob </TD></TR></TABLE>

i picked up an open box for like 120, had to buy the mig gun for 120, then lincoln sent me the missing spindle nut/washer for free

So is lincoln better then craftsman ? I am gonna look around for a mig welder, there is no way I can afford a tig at the moment. Here are some I'v been looking at, tell me what you guys think

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr...lders
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr...lders
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr...lders
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr...lders
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr...lders

I will be doing basic stuff as of now, such as exhaust work and maybe some body work. I would like to get into some custom stuff later on. If anyone wants to sell me a used older one that have, please do


Modified by 90blackcrx at 6:17 PM 8/1/2004

for mig I have found that miller performs better

but for tig welding I have found the Lincoln machine easier to use

this is just my personal expierience tho

there is a great deal of useful infomation in this thread about welding but there are too many post in this thread to find them. i was wondering if we could have a sticky for welding tips and product reviews.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 90blackcrx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So is lincoln better then craftsman ? </TD></TR></TABLE>

i'd say yes but not necessarily. judging from their offerings, they are just not as committed to welding equipment as the big 3. plus there isnt much of a price difference.

it was a tough choice, but i chose lincoln over hobart mainly due to their availability and the fact that almost every muffler/machine shop i've ever been to was dominated by lincoln. retail shops seem to have a mix variety of lincoln and miller..

havent posted a weld in awhile...