Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:24:49 -0700
Reply-To: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: If you're bored.... Vanagon Engine Conversion Progress
(welding pics)
In-Reply-To: <1205934096.32663.1243250443@webmail.messagingengine.com>
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Hi Allan.
MIG. Hobart "Handler" 140.
Flux will spatter and make lots of smoke. Hopefully you're using it
outside. I used it for a short while inside. I won't ever go back to
it.
Unless you need to work outside, ditch the flux wire ASAP. And if
you're using it inside, (I won't any more) make SURE you have really
good ventilation and if possible a proper mask.
A pricey add on for sure, but gas will set you free. I made the
mistake of buying a big tank (55 lb). The tank is the big cost. If you
get one, get a steel one. It has a longer life span. Anyhow, with gas,
there's way less smoke and spatter so you can get closer to see your
work, see your puddle better which helps to monitor the penetration.
Especially helpful when "pushing" your welds. (the preferred method
for most situations IIRC)
For me what helped was:
gas
magnifying lens on helmut
better lighting
a foot stool to raise left knee to rest my left elbow.
I'm happy to offer what I know (v little right now) but there's no
shortage of email lists. Try your manufacture website.
I also found this helpful:
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/index.php
Check out the tutorial section. Even has little videos for some stuff.
Cheers,
Neil.
On Wed, Mar 19, 2008 at 6:41 AM, Allan Streib <streib@cs.indiana.edu> wrote:
> Neil,
>
> Are you using a MIG or TIG welder? I am just getting started with MIG,
> I can never get welds that nice there is always a lot of spatter. Of
> course I'm sure that part of it is that I am using flux wire, I don't
> have a shielding gas setup yet.
>
> Allan
> --
> 1991 Vanagon GL
>
>
>
> On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 06:39:49 -0400, "Mike" <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET> said:
> > Great work, Neil! I see what appears to be good slightly-rounded laps, no
> > sign of undercutting and signs of proper penetration. You're definitely
> > making a quality weld there.
> > BTW, don't ever grind away a weld for appearance sake. It's stronger
> > left alone, and if there's not complete penetration in a spot, that will
> > weaken it at that spot and it'll eventually crack. (remember the shifter
> > story?).
> >
> > Mike B.
>
--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco"
http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
