Gasless MIG welding

[welderParticipant @welder]

hope above made sense….. just re read it, not so sure. ho hum

[Robin GrahamParticipant @robingraham42208]

Posted by phil holmes on 15/04/2022 20:24:52:

hope above made sense….. just re read it, not so sure. ho hum

Yes, I think that makes sense Phil – thanks for your input. What I've been doing is making a series of tacks as in A in this sketch:

Sometimes (~70%) it works, sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't it's because once I've blown through the cut edge the arc just runs away and makes it worse. Would you do something more like B? That is traverse across the 'non cut' bit without any weaving and let the pool melt the cut edge?

I've pretty much given up using stick welding for this project because I need 100% success when I make the frame and I'm not going to get there in in time.

I have now tried silver soldering, which I can do confidently, but I have never tried a joint like this before – I was worried that it would be weak because it's (sort of) a butt joint. I was surprised how strong the joins are though – after application of a FBH the tube bent and the joint just gave me a smug look. More expensive and slower than welding of course, but it'll get the job done.

Robin

[welderParticipant @welder]

Diagram b is the way to do it. Put a tack on each corner first so you have something to weld into.

I didnt want to get into a debate about stick, mig, gasless and tig welding as all have advantages and disadvantages.

I have all these machines and if i were doing your project i would mig it without a doubt. Mig welding is the easiest to control.

Dont go using pub bottles of co2 as this gas reacts with the weld pool and increases penetration. Its actually called mag welding, the i in mig stands for 'inert gas' and the a in mag is ' active gas'

I have used pure co2 many times on thick sections – above 15mm thick for ultimate strength after preheat. It is hard on your torch and consumables, produces alot of spatter and gets really hot.

As a solution to your immediate problem would you want help / allow someone else to do it for you?

I have a small gasless mig welder that could be chucked into the car and brought over to you. I also have a a pair of hands available, and a welding mask… I am not trying to muscle in on your project but the offer is there.

The gasless mig is a bit harsh but i am confident it will do the job. After a bit of clean up it will be ok.

I would bring the mig and a bottle but its big and very heavy.

[John Doe 2Participant @johndoe2]

Might have been suggested already, but can you hire MIG welders?

If it's only one job and you don't want to buy one.

Edited By John Doe 2 on 16/04/2022 10:50:17

[DellParticipant @dell]

If the op is near moreton in marsh he is welcome to bring it to me and I will weld it for him , although I mostly gas weld aluminium now I do still use mig a lot , as I have just finished fabricating parts and mig welded them in a R/R Shadow so I am used to mig welding thin steel.

PM me if interested Dell

[Robin GrahamParticipant @robingraham42208]

welder – many thanks for your kind offer. I have sent you a PM.

John Doe 2 – I don't think the suggestion of hiring has been made earlier. It looks like I could hire a MIG for about £60 a week, but I'd have to buy or hire gas on top of that. Might as well go the whole hog and buy a welder – bound to come in handy in the future!

Dell – unfortunately I am about 100 miles away from you, but thank you for your generous offer of help. Had you been nearer I'd have been round like a shot. Aluminium would actually better for this, but I couldn't find anyone local with the skill/kit to do it for free – it's a "community project".

It might seem nuts that I'm considering buying a new welder for an unpaid one off, but that's how it works for me. My workshop activities are more about journeys than destinations I suspect.

Robin.

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