All MetalShaping

Go Back   All MetalShaping > General Metal Shaping Discussion > Welding Sheet Metal
  Today's Posts Posts for Last 7 Days Posts for Last 14 Days  

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #11  
Old 05-24-2011, 12:43 AM
David Gardiner David Gardiner is offline
MetalShaper of the Month
May 2009, Jan 2012, Dec 2014
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: England
Posts: 5,325
Default

John I agree with you. This is what I have been saying all along. The arguments that are being put up just show that it is horses for courses, as I have said all along. Mig welds are fine for some jobs I make some panels that I would only mig weld. What I have tried to point out is that if you are going to grind the wed flat then work it you may have problems with it cracking and it is harder and more work to achieve anything like a metal finish. If it is all you have then you have no choice but setting up for tig or gas does not cost a lot more than mig so anyone starting out should be aware of the problems.

Thanks for posting,

David
__________________
Metalshaping DVD. www.metalshapingzone.com
Metalshaping with hand tools on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGElSHzm0q8

All things are possible.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 05-24-2011, 06:43 AM
Marty Comstock's Avatar
Marty Comstock Marty Comstock is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: East Herkimer NY
Posts: 1,570
Default

Guys, I agree that mig is not the best for the job, i wont disagree with that. but if you are having cracking problems, it is the operators fault, entirely. Could be a poor choice of wire, gas, not enough gas, technique, whatever, but it is all under the operators control.

Sure it takes a bit to grind, but its not too bad if you are a skilled grinder. Many high grade metal guys used mig exclusively with awesome results.

If you are still having cracking problems, start a thread asking for help, I am sure we can help walk you through it. Sure it can be done, and quite well.

Marty
__________________
Results = (Effort X Determination2) + Time
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 05-24-2011, 09:12 AM
Janne Janne is offline
MetalShaper of the Month October 2015
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Finland, Salo
Posts: 745
Default

The reason why the bridges are mig welded / or arch welded, is work speed.Tig is better weld..imagine guys welding whole bridge with gas or tig..would take a lifetime...so c´mon...dont compare it to building bridges.

My previous employer was a company that made aluminium boats, to finish coast guard and army, and for other countries too.They were welded with mig, but tig had it special places...pipes and tanks, etc...The problem was, always grind the oxidation off the surface of the aluminium,before welding, and after welding, you brush the seam with steel brush, equipped in die grinder...even good weld seam, has always little soot on the edges.you have pretty much seam to clean on a boat, even they only were something around 66 foot long...
__________________
Janne Jarvinen

--------- JJ ----------
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 05-24-2011, 09:31 AM
Joe Hartson's Avatar
Joe Hartson Joe Hartson is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Pass Christian, MS
Posts: 4,981
Default

We have gotten off topic with this thread. The forum is for sheet metal shaping and related subjects. Structural steel welding is considered off topic here.
__________________
Joe Hartson

There is more than one way to go to town and they are all correct.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 05-26-2011, 11:42 AM
John Buchtenkirch John Buchtenkirch is offline
MetalShaper of the Month October 2012
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Glen Cove, Long Island
Posts: 1,675
Default

Mig welders are one of the best things that ever happened to the collision industry, all of a sudden almost everyone could weld in the business. Hooray for mig welders ---- I own 3 of them right now.

Having said that if you’re going to use a mig welder to weld up stress cracks in early fenders you may be disappointed in the longevity of your repair. Gas or tig welding still doesn’t guarantee success in panels that suffer from a lot of vibration but you do have a better shot at a more lasting repair if there’s not a hard weld running thru the panel. I certainly wouldn’t be worried about putting patch panels in the bottoms of doors or quarters with a mig but there are places where using a mig would make me very nervous.

I do agree that welding technique is everything but part of that technique is also knowing when not to use a certain type of welding. After a car is completely painted a cracked weld in my metal work costs me dearly in $$$ and reputation so I try to avoid it at all costs. A hobbyist working on his own car is working under completely different circumstances than myself and I also understand what he can justify in spending on equipment is different too, that however doesn’t change the reality of the repair, at times (not all the time) mig is just a poor choice. ~ John Buchtenkirch
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 05-26-2011, 12:39 PM
Richard K's Avatar
Richard K Richard K is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Minneapolis, MN or On the Road
Posts: 1,131
Default

Steering this drifting raft back toward metalshaping; thank goodness we have access to all sorts of affordable welding equipment.

Most all welding processes will find their way into metalshaping at one time or another. Remember metalshaping includes crafts and applied arts over a wide range; From silversmithing to 1/4" plate sculptures and from what ever it is that your interest is to whatever your dreams may be.

Within this broad range of crafts and skills; requirements for welding vary widely. Some are interested in doing invisible repairs as a part of a restorative process. Others are simply joining parts in construction or reconstruction of some object.

Therin lies the controversy: my solution may not be appropriate for your requirements. There is a wealth of opportunity to learn in discussing a variety of methods. In most cases there is no good, better or best method. I need to remind myself of that often.

As Joe Hartson says in his signature line. "there are many roads to town".


On this Memorial Day weekend, remember those who have given their lives so that you and I may enjoy Freedom.
__________________
Richard K
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 05-26-2011, 01:47 PM
Joe Hartson's Avatar
Joe Hartson Joe Hartson is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Pass Christian, MS
Posts: 4,981
Default

A quote from the rules for the site.

"This board was started to provide a resource for folks who wanted to learn and share knowledge about SHEET METAL SHAPING and related SHEET METAL SHAPING TOPICS such as sheet metal shaping tools. This is not a forum about machining, auto mechanics, welding (other than welding sheet metal), fabrication, painting, press brakes, music, gardening, your great Aunt’s medical problems, etc."
__________________
Joe Hartson

There is more than one way to go to town and they are all correct.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:26 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.