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First stab at welding

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T

tdskip

Yoda
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Well, for the first stab on an actual car this didn't turn out too badly.

The professional who gave me some coaching encuraged me to simply build up the area with a series of welds rather than trying to cut and fit a patch panel.

The final picture is kind of goofy - the metal is actually all smooth and shiny but the camera converted some it to brownish color. It is actually smooth.

Before;

TR4Afenderholetobewelded-after003.jpg


I built up too much material, but I wanted to minimize the chance of grinding through it;

TR4Afenderholetobewelded-after004.jpg


Ready for finish work;

TR4Afenderholetobewelded-after008.jpg
 
Looks Great. Was that hole where the hood support bracket was located? Just taking a shot at what caused the hole.
 
I used that technique on my TR3, but not with holes quite that big. The neat part about it is that the welder will blow away any lousey metal around the edge until it gets to some good stuff. Looks good. The more you do, the easier it gets. If I were confronted with that hole, I'm pretty sure I would have made a patch. Especially due to the fact that its just basically a flat piece.
 
Not sure what caused the hole originally - looks like it was a puncture at some point that was allowed to then rust.

Art, I debated making a patch - I think I will going forward for anything like that. Truth be told, I kind of just wanted to try filling it in like that to see if I could do it.
 
Nice job!!

Yup, with a hole that big, you would probably find it easier next time to cut a regular-shaped hole, make a patch, and butt- or lap-weld it in. Here's a shaved quarterlight, same concept...

Feb16001.jpg


Feb16004.jpg


Feb16006.jpg


The nice thing about doing it this way, it builds up less heat, so you don't have to worry as much about distorting the panel.
 
tdskip
what brand of welder do you have? I want to get one and my welder friend is buy American only and Miller is the only one to get. But a Miller MIG is over 2K. yikes.
Thanks
 
Thanks guys - agreed that a patch is the way to go moving forward.Nice work Duncan.

I have a Hobart 140. Nice machine, I really like it.

Welcome back Larry!
 
I too have a Hobart 140. It works pretty well. I use it with gas and with .025 wire, which has really made a difference on the sheet metal I've been working with.
 
I bought a Millermatic 120volt mig machine and didn't spend anywhere near 2K. Including the cost of the gas bottle. Check with Airgas.
 
Norton47 said:
tdskip
what brand of welder do you have? I want to get one and my welder friend is buy American only and Miller is the only one to get. But a Miller MIG is over 2K. yikes.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Want a good M.I.G. welder? there are many to choose from for under $1,000.00 a good many of the forum members use the Hobart 140 handler, it is a very reliable machine and will do what most hobbyists want.
The 180 {or 187 handler now} is a 220 V machine, still less than $1,000.00
Here is a link to some M.I.G. welders
Note:
I have no affiaiation with this company what so ever.
Nor do I have a monitary intrest in this company.
click here
 
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