So I need some welding advice...

Slantyface

Slantyface

Been Around the Block
So I got a DCC originals solo seat and I'm gonna have a shot at trying to weld a rear loop on my frame. Was gonna use a 90 amp flux wire welder since that's what is at my disposal. There's welding shops in the area, but learning a new skill holds value in my book. I'm going to be "supervised" by someone who's welded successfully before, but I've never welded and wondered if anybody had any pointers for a first timer?
Thanks all
 
AlphaDogChoppers said:
Don't practice on your frame. :)
Click to expand...

This. Just get some cheap scrap metal and get the hang of it for a bit first. Watch a few YouTube videos that show you common bad welds and how change your settings and technique to fix it. But more importantly practice.
 
Fact is, it would be cheaper, easier, and faster to just take it to a local welding shop and pay them $20 to weld it for you.
 
1. The settings on the inside cover of the welder is pretty close, based on the material thickness. That helped me.
2. Better welders will have a fully variable current control, rather than a 4 or 5 stepped controller.
3. Every time you change material thickness, practice on scrap pieces to get the settings right before hitting your work pieces. Check the penetration by looking at the other side. Try breaking it apart to check it's strength.

Yeah, learning a skill is worth the time/cost invested.
 
AlphaDogChoppers said:
Fact is, it would be cheaper, easier, and faster to just take it to a local welding shop and pay them $20 to weld it for you.
Click to expand...

Haha. Thanks for that bit of encouragement! I've got some stuff lying around to practice on. A frame is definitely not a good place to start. And as much as I'd like to support my local economy, its a skill I'd like to have in my kit. I'll definitely get some scrap tubing to get the feel of it with. I asked an old guy one time how he got so good at welding, his reply was, " By ruining a whole lot of aluminum."
 
eyhonda said:
Check the penetration by looking at the other side. Try breaking it apart to check it's strength.
Click to expand...

This is great advice especially welding a loop.
 
Slantyface said:
Haha. Thanks for that bit of encouragement! I've got some stuff lying around to practice on. A frame is definitely not a good place to start. And as much as I'd like to support my local economy, its a skill I'd like to have in my kit. I'll definitely get some scrap tubing to get the feel of it with. I asked an old guy one time how he got so good at welding, his reply was, " By ruining a whole lot of aluminum."
Click to expand...

People ask me how I leaned to be auch a good woodworker (I'm too young to be a wooodworker haha) and my response is always the same: trial and error. Emphasis on the error.
 
If you can hook up a tank to your welder I would suggest doing so. I have the Lincoln electric handy mig welder, and I got a gas tank from the local weld supply shop and it works great.
My best piece of advise to anyone first learning to weld is don't be afraid to burn that metal together. I was always getting bad welds and they would break because I would let up to soon and not get good penetration. Oh yeah, and don't weld in flip-flops.
 
Rich Ard said:
This thread is useful without pics
Click to expand...
3rpqih.jpg
 
Was also thinking about using the "frame slugs" from DCC. So to anyone's knowledge there shouldn't be any problems with welding frame rail with the 90 amp flux wire welder I'll be using? (Assuming I get good penetration of course.)
 
Hard to clean up when you are done. Slag will get everywhere, as will spatter dots.

Drill two holes in each joint where it will cover the slugs. One on the tops of each rail/loop end, one on the outer sides, do not drill the slugs. Plug weld the rail/loop sections to the slug, then weld your main seams. Medium feed speed, LOW heat setting. It's frame tubing, not plate iron. I've got a couple flux core machines at the farm, use them a lot for "piddly" projects, any actual hardcore structural stuff I tack and send out to be done with a 3 phase machine.
 
DISCONNECT YOUR BATTERY, YOUR IGNITION, AND ANYTHING ELSE ELECTRONIC THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO FRY BEFORE YOU WELD ANYTHING NEAR YOUR FRAME.

That is all.
 
Thanks for the info on the slugs. I'll be blasting and power coating the frame this winter, so the slag isn't a HUGE concern for me at this point. I appreciate it!
 
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