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Topic Started: Feb 16 2009, 06:57 PM (12,245 Views)
metroschultz
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Please just call me; "Schultz"

Welding response;
Fred I am sure others are interested as well.

My neighbor has a stick welder that he bought shortly after I bought my MIG machine. :cheers We did this so I can use his stick for heavy stuff (putting spring seats on his rear axle) or he can use my MIG for lighter stuff or continuous stuff.

These cars , I have learned, are made from 16 gauge sheet metal, that seems to have a relatively low carbon content. ( I am guessing on the carbon by how other panels have welded for me in the past.) Also there can be as many as four panels welded through at one place.
...I will use my MIG because it will burn deep enough for me to get through the panel(s) and after I have run a few spot welds to put all the pieces where I want them I can run a continuous bead all the way around. I won't run continuous though as that would create a hot spot that follows my torch and would weaken the panel.
...I will run 2 inch beads at different spots, going in a criss-cross pattern around the repair. Much like the pattern of tightening your head bolts.
...I can not re-paint the interior of this repair so I will not remove any paint on the inside and only lose what burns off. Then I will hose the insides of the panels with "Ospho" (a brand name for a liquid catalyst that transforms rust into a hard surface primer, you can buy it in spray cans as a rust converter)(I may buy a couple of cans from Wally so I don't have to go to the shop to get some.)
...Then we will spray the outside with rust preventive primer and after the primer is tacky hit it with color paint, I probably have some that is close here and it will hide under the car so you can't really see it "NEWAYS" (the GF's license)
...After all is said and done the car will need to be aligned and Inspected. I can get it inspected but we will have to go to Sears for the alignment.

On a side note;
The weather is not cooperating. Right now it is raining its @$$ off and thunderstorms are headed this way.
I have a healthy respect for high voltage electricity and Will Not weld while soaking wet.
I saw what happens when you try to do this. It was not pretty.
Hopefully this will pass by tomorrow. We are only a few hours from done.

The kid in the jacket in the previous post is Bobby and he is separating metal panels with a hammer and chisel.
The fat guy in the tuque and two sweat shirts is me and there's no tellin' what I'm doin'.
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dimetrodon


Thanks for the welding info. Great pictures so far. For some reasons, I have a sudden urge to buy a MIG welder and some Mountain Dew....
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metroschultz
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Please just call me; "Schultz"

Come on down the the house, you can use my welder. ---AND---
I have a fresh Jar of homemade "Mountain Dew". (clear in color, can run your car on it in a pinch)
My brother picked it up in NC when he came through to visit kin.
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metroschultz
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Please just call me; "Schultz"

Nope, the "Mountain Dew" isn't gonna last till you git here.
Bring your own.
The weather is getting worse and I am in for the day.
Gonna drink, and play on the computer and maybe wash some clothes, maybe.
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Johnny Mullet
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Fear the Mullet

That's just awesome man! I love the portable garage!
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metroschultz
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Please just call me; "Schultz"

Yeah and Bobby loves the sparks flying pics.
Michelangelo, pshaw, now I'm blushing.
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metroschultz
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Please just call me; "Schultz"

Update

Monday

It was a Monday,
A day like any other day,
I left a small town,
for the Apple in decay.

Brief song interlude there.

March, 2nd, 2009.
Temperature.....28*f
Precipitation.....Snow flurries becoming heavier as the day progresses.
wind speed.......40 mph continuous, gusts to 60 mph.
Again the weather is not conducive to good welding.
I don't mind the cold, slight chill for you guys in the great white north.
I don't mind the snow, it is pretty now and will be gone tomorrow. (probably)
But I can not weld in the wind.
I have learned from past experience that any wind over,,,,,,,,,,
Ooooh............. give or take,
around 10 mph and I can't get a good burn.
The wind literally blows away my inert shield.
No Shield = No Weld.
better luck tomorrow.
F O Q
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Johnny Mullet
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Fear the Mullet

It's important to wait for the weather to cooperate if you want to weld correctly especcially a structural part. I have done welding outside before and wind+welding= :shit
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2000Firefly1.3L
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metroschultz
Mar 2 2009, 09:58 AM
Update

Monday

It was a Monday,
A day like any other day,
I left a small town,
for the Apple in decay.

Brief song interlude there.

March, 2nd, 2009.
Temperature.....28*f
Precipitation.....Snow flurries becoming heavier as the day progresses.
wind speed.......40 mph continuous, gusts to 60 mph.
Again the weather is not conducive to good welding.
I don't mind the cold, slight chill for you guys in the great white north.
I don't mind the snow, it is pretty now and will be gone tomorrow. (probably)
But I can not weld in the wind.
I have learned from past experience that any wind over,,,,,,,,,,
Ooooh............. give or take,
around 10 mph and I can't get a good burn.
The wind literally blows away my inert shield.
No Shield = No Weld.
better luck tomorrow.
F O Q
hey are you retired ?
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metroschultz
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Please just call me; "Schultz"

No, why do you ask?
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metroschultz
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Please just call me; "Schultz"

Yes Sir,
Wind + weld = :shit
You end up with that stuff that looks like popcorn stuck on with bubble gum.
No depth and no good puddling
There are some places I need to get through three panels at a time. I have a plan though so no worries. Wind just isn't in the plan.
I am going for structural integrity here.
Not quickie get 'er done.
BTW we are down to 20 mph sustained and 40 mph gusts.
Still too much wind to weld with.
Tomorrow is supposed to be calm.
and the snow will stop.
I will blow it away with the leaf blower, then work my welder to the bone.
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billy508
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billy508

:thumb Good call on holding off the welding when the wind picks up. It used to be a problem at the shipyard . Sometimes we could block the wind off with plywood and all kinds of things. Still that is a lot different than trying to mig a 16 gauge car. Watching your progress, you are doing a good job. Not a easy job in the best of working conditions. Hope to meet you one day. :drivin :drivin
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metroschultz
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Please just call me; "Schultz"

Still windy today as well.
20 mph with gusts to 30mph.
I'm going to go buy some tarps to wrap around the car so I can weld it tomorrow irregardless of the wind factor.
Krap
with a kapital
K
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Will
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Victory is mine!!!!

This is an excellent thread, and really bad ass that you are helping them out like this!! Totally KOOL!!
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metroschultz
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Please just call me; "Schultz"

Today the wind was a little more calm.
Only 10 mph sustained and gust to 20 mph.
I set up the picnic canopy and put some tarps around to keep the wind out.
Sorry no pics.
My camera is at Bobby's and he is at school.
Started tacking the control arm mount in and realized that I would need to weld around the left tie rod assembly.
I removed the tie rod assembly from the rack out.
Covered the end of the rack with an old pair of jeans donated to the cause.
and then ran out of time cause now I have to get ready to work for the Gubmint.
L8R
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