Welding projects

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rmchrgr

rmchrgr

Skate And Destroy
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I'm enrolled in a welding class at a local arts teaching studio. The goal of the class is to teach all sorts of welding techniques including oxyacetylene, MIG and TIG. We get to work on a personal project while we learn. I have about a month and a half of class time plus several hours of studio time to work. I don't think I can bring a car in, but anything else goes. My first thought is to build a bad-*** workbench with all sorts of features. I also thought of a rolling cart with tool drawers. I have an 8 3/4 that I might move the spring perches in on too. I kinow this is kind of vague, but anyone have any other good automotive/Mopar related projects to suggest?

Thanks,

Greg
 
I learned how to weld cast iron so I could fix a crack on my exhaust manifold. I got a hold of some old cast iron brake rotors, broke them into pieces, and practiced with nickel welding rods on the arc welder.

I took about an hour to learn, but he results are good. Welded 1 inch at a time, chip away the slag, wire brush, and let cool to the touch.
 
you could make things like an engine stand or engine cart, or a transmission adapter for your floor jack.

I'll be watching this topic as I just picked up a Clarke 130EN mig welder with a gas bottle.

I've been using my homemade jackscrew setup that wasn't welded together for years to change bushings...thinking about welding it up now though. I can't really do a great job welding the washer to my cast iron pipe fitting though.
 
Got a MIG.. make a welding cart. Easy if you have all the stuff to make good cuts.

Cart.jpg
 
If your`re just learning to complement restoration, or fabrication skills I suggest concentrating on MIG. and SMAW. then TIG. Then if enough time learn to cut with a torch then weld. Fabbing`s kind of a hobby for me, also proffesional. Just a couple of many projects I`ve done. Welding cart setup. "The ultimate Rig", Press, And foot assist sheetmetal brake8)

machine cart pics.jpg


machine cart pics1.jpg


parts 026.jpg


Homemade Brake.jpg
 

mopar head said:
If your`re just learning to complement restoration, or fabrication skills I suggest concentrating on MIG. and SMAW. then TIG. Then if enough time learn to cut with a torch then weld. Fabbing`s kind of a hobby for me, also proffesional. Just a couple of many projects I`ve done. Welding cart setup. "The ultimate Rig", Press, And foot assist sheetmetal brake8)
Click to expand...

What is SMAW? I do quite a bit of welding, though I've had very little formal training, where I grew up we learned by doing....for stick I have a Bobcat 250 truck mounted and a Craftsman buzzbox that I run off a 3500watt generator in the field, if I can't get the truck close enough. For MIG I have a small Lincoln setup, and I've been considering a TIG welder lately. I would like to start welding more aluminum. I've been told I can do it with my MIG, just different wire and 100% Argon instead of the mix for MIG.
Built carts for the portable units, engine stands, rotissiere, just finished a 4 foot high, 24" x 24" Lantern for the top of a 20foot sign post.

Dave
 
GTGrinly said:
What is SMAW? I do quite a bit of welding, though I've had very little formal training, where I grew up we learned by doing....for stick I have a Bobcat 250 truck mounted and a Craftsman buzzbox that I run off a 3500watt generator in the field, if I can't get the truck close enough. For MIG I have a small Lincoln setup, and I've been considering a TIG welder lately. I would like to start welding more aluminum. I've been told I can do it with my MIG, just different wire and 100% Argon instead of the mix for MIG.
Built carts for the portable units, engine stands, rotissiere, just finished a 4 foot high, 24" x 24" Lantern for the top of a 20foot sign post.

Dave
Click to expand...
SMAW shielded metal arc welding, fancey term for ARC welding:-D I`ve tried the alum. mig wire with poor results, but then again you supposed to get a different liner "plastic" for alum. You may notice the hand spool gun, "only way to go" for thicker materials and structurals, on "ultimate rig". For most smaller work I have a big, "got cheap" Tig machine. Really the best for, castings and lighter materals. have fun, show pics8)
 
How about a welding bench/table. They look like steel lattice for applying clamps for welding and fabrication.
 
I took a 9 month welding coarse 27 years ago,welded alot of big structures for mining company before Ford called me 22 years ago:stop:I just bought a licoln mig welder with gas bottle for doing little projects.Making brackets,tire rack to get them up and out of the way,alot of little stuff.I,ve wanted one for years and am glad to have one finally.Hate the smoke given off.Good Luck,practice makes perfect!Slag sticks to ears!!LMAO!!
 
Don't know how much resto work you do but i would find a rolling cart on wheels for a car body would prove to be very handy so you could move it in and out so as to not tie up your shop or a rotisseri for spinning a car. When your done with either of these you can sell em should you need the funds. We'll be watching for pics.
 
My next project is a welding bench but you've got that down already. Cracked is right, if you got the stuff to make clean cuts the rest is a breeze.

Do you have a truck? Make a bad *** bumper for it. Car dollies would be good if you can find quality casters. I really, really like that press that Moparhead made and that sheetmetal brake is wicked.
 
Lots of good ideas, but one thing you don't want to forget - since we are talking about automotive-related welding - is sheet metal repair. Make sure you get a good handle on welding thin gauge sheet metal for those unavoidable rusted out floor pans, fenders, quarter panels, spare tire wells, etc. Do a handful of plug welds too (filling in holes you made when drilling out spot welds at seams).

Also, see if you can get some quality time with a plasma cutter in the lab. Those are invaluable tools if you plan to do much automotive work. Good luck with free-handing one - my cuts look like they were done by a drunk monkey.

Aluminum MUST be very clean to achieve decent welds. And always use stainless steel wire brushes on it, not the regular steel wires.

Jerry
 
I should`nt forget my Gantry Crane. Go to estate auctions and junkyards. Never know what you`ll find on the cheap:-D I think I give $130 for hoist, Had our local motor repair shop wire to,110 $30. And wheels @ yard $30 pc. Cataloged @ $350 a pc. $40 for beam. Oh yea that hoist goes for $1500 easy. So $320 bux for 1000+ lb crane ain`t to shabby. labor free of course! I built it to remove a 1,300lb welder, no prob. The cool deal with this rig is pulling engines by yourself, pushing buttons`nice:-D After it`s up+clear, high on jackstands! roll out. And I also integrated a moter stand in upright, SWEET:-D but thats just MO

crane 007.jpg


crane 003.jpg
 
I just thought of doing an engine/tranny dolly which is basically all square tubing and pads to mount the K-frame and trans.

I recall there being a company called Dutchman maybe(?) that makes something to lift the front of the car up with a hoist, then you roll the dolly underneath and lower the body onto it.

Kinda like below - pic was stolen from Mosher's site.

motor-09-medium.jpg
 
So I attended the first class today. First thing I learned was that making a consistent bead is pretty difficult at first. I got the sound going but most of my welds were crooked, had too much filler and either went too slow or too fast. Naturally the beads were not very good so I'm not welding any roll cages anytime soon. However, this was the first time I've ever held a welder in my hands so I guess I should cut myself some slack.

It's tough to see through the helmet unless you use an auto-flash which makes it easier to see what you're doing. I accidentally let a few sparks go without my face mask down. It was also difficult for me to figure out how to hold the tip and get the correct angle and distance which obviously takes practice. Towards the end I finally figured out what I was seeing through the lens as far as the puddle and seeing the wire. I have a long way to go!

Looking forward to learning more, I'm stoked. Much respect for anyone who can weld proficiently!
 
I used to be able to do some OK work with a tourch and a stick. Then the company stop all welding of /on the equipment. It was toasting up the computers onbaord the trains. They seem to cost alot of money thoose computers.

I even did a little MIG time at school and started to do OK. Then several years pass and I get a MIG from my wife! YIPEY.
Well, my welds look like fido ***, but I do know I got the penatration done well. The bennifit of not having floorboards, you can check! LOL!


HEY! Heres an idea. Once you start getting comphy and good, try a engine stand to start up an engine on complete with rad and gauges!
 
I have been welding professionally for 15 years. It seems very difficult at first. Repitition is the key, in a few months you will be laying a bead like a pro. Taking a class is a good step. I work with 20 different welders they all weld different, it is to the point where you can tell who laid the weld just by looking at it. What I am saying is the class will teach you how to weld, and how the machine works, and what to look. It is up to you to find a style that you are comfortable with, and gives you the best results. This is just what I have seen in my experience. Good luck, stick with it it is a good skill to have.
 
Just wait until you get your first case of flashburn, that sucks and it will teach you to use your helmet everytime... unless your stubborn like me :angry7:
 
Practice, practice.

My suggestion is a rotisserie. Make it so it knocks down for storage, though. If you look around online, you'll see a lot of different ideas.

Of course, if you don't intend to take cars down that far, forget it. My first project was my weld cart.

Sheet metal is a different thing altogether. Welding 1/8 thick stuff is easy. Pour the heat into it and it's no big deal. Sheet metal will quickly disappear if you're not careful.
 
rmchrgr said:
Much respect for anyone who can weld proficiently!
Click to expand...

Much respect for anyone who can correctly spell proficiently. :read2:

During high school, my son Aaron did very well in Ag Mechanics competitions across Texas with some welding projects. Among the prizes he won are:
Lincoln MIG welder, Thermadyne portable stick/TIG welder, four auto-darkening helmets, three Victor oxy-acetylene torch kits, thousands of welding rods, tool boxes, gloves, four workspace exhaust fans, etc, etc. One wall of my garage is still lined with new unopened boxes of stuff.

Now that he is off to college, I need to get the welders and torches out to start learning how to melt some metal. I can't let him show up the ol' man.

Hang in there rmchrgr, once you get the basics down, it's all a matter of time and you'll be welding with the best of them.
 
'74 Sport said:
Much respect for anyone who can correctly spell proficiently. :read2:
Click to expand...


Don't tell anyone, but I was an English major at college. :-\"

Thanks for all the encouragement guys. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time. I feel like it will open up all sorts of doors for me.
 
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