RAC68
Darth Vader
Offline
Hi All,
A good friend in our Healey group had acquired a 1966 Phase 2 BJ8 and is in the process of restoring much that the previous owner left undone. Recently, he redid the full interior and was in the process of refinishing the top frame before installing a new top and was having trouble re-aligning and installing the top frame. Thinking the cut and welded "S" section was original, he made many failed attempts to fit the frame for proper operation and window positioning and, in frustration, decided to recut and fit the joints.
After inspecting my original non-cut "S" frame section and realizing his welded unit was cut to compensate for new frame attachment platform position changes, he decided to recut the welded "S" section on the passenger side and re-weld to a position that would allow proper frame positioning. After establishing and securing the "S" section for good frame fit, the units was quick tacked and the frame removed for final welding.
This is where everything seemed to have gone wrong. Using a 120V MIG welder outputting 85 amps (20% duty cycle) set on its highest setting and slowest wire speed, every attempt resulted in a non-flowing buildup with slight or no real penetration of the frame metals. I understand the top frame is, and needs to be, constructed of strong steel and my MIG may not have the power to melt this metal. Having only used this unit on sheet metal and Home Depot angle iron, could my speculation be correct? Would a 120V Lincoln industrial MIG with an output of 140 amps be better suited for the task? Is there something I am missing?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Ray(64BJ8P1)
A good friend in our Healey group had acquired a 1966 Phase 2 BJ8 and is in the process of restoring much that the previous owner left undone. Recently, he redid the full interior and was in the process of refinishing the top frame before installing a new top and was having trouble re-aligning and installing the top frame. Thinking the cut and welded "S" section was original, he made many failed attempts to fit the frame for proper operation and window positioning and, in frustration, decided to recut and fit the joints.
After inspecting my original non-cut "S" frame section and realizing his welded unit was cut to compensate for new frame attachment platform position changes, he decided to recut the welded "S" section on the passenger side and re-weld to a position that would allow proper frame positioning. After establishing and securing the "S" section for good frame fit, the units was quick tacked and the frame removed for final welding.
This is where everything seemed to have gone wrong. Using a 120V MIG welder outputting 85 amps (20% duty cycle) set on its highest setting and slowest wire speed, every attempt resulted in a non-flowing buildup with slight or no real penetration of the frame metals. I understand the top frame is, and needs to be, constructed of strong steel and my MIG may not have the power to melt this metal. Having only used this unit on sheet metal and Home Depot angle iron, could my speculation be correct? Would a 120V Lincoln industrial MIG with an output of 140 amps be better suited for the task? Is there something I am missing?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Ray(64BJ8P1)
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