Another lurker!

[Gert-Jan]

Hi everyone,

I've been sucking information from this site for a while now. I don't have much experience in the metal department. My daily job is software engineer... I live in the Netherlands, Europe.

I've watched the David's DVD over and over again, I like the way the explains and he follows british traditions. Right now I am trying to metalfinish a weld. I thought I would learn that trick in a afternoon, but I fount out I should have a [I]lot[I] more patience. (First actually learn welding ) I only have a MIG welder, but it is a Kemppi, very very nice machine. I'm getter better, but learning it is a slow process.

I bought a front wing (fender) of a Citroën DS for 10 euros. It is in bad nick, but that is the point! I want to learn from it. So, first step, learn to metal finish a weld seam. I also own a Citroën DS, which was build in 1969.

I also have 250x150x8mm square tubing (together with 4x9 upper and 3,5 inch lowers from Hoosiers) in stock, that will make a nice e-wheel frame Unfortunately spare time is limited, so the e-wheel is a long term project. I will build when I need it.

I really enjoy reading metalshaping (especially by hand) stuff, keeps me motivated.

cheers,

Gert-Jan

[Mark Fox]

Hi Gert-Jan,
Welcome aboard. Davids dvd is a great start, and as David shows you don't need lots of tools.Its fantastic, your having a go. Its the way to learn.
Please post photo's, we love them here.
Mark

[jhnarial]

I will be welding in some panels today. I will be tig welding them but the process of re-stretching the weld is basically the same.

I MIG welded panels for along time and it is possible to have very good results. The down fall is that a MIG weld is very brittle and will stress crack if you are not careful.

It is easier to show and I will try to remember to take some pictures today.

Welcome aboard

[HEATNBEAT]

Welcome Gert-Jan!
like Jonny said a mig weld is hard and brittle. Did you grind the weld down first?

[Joe Hartson]

Gert-Jan, Welcome to the site, thanks for the introduction.

[Gert-Jan]

Originally Posted by HEATNBEAT

Welcome Gert-Jan!
like Jonny said a mig weld is hard and brittle. Did you grind the weld down first?

Thank you all for the warm welcome.

I follow the procedure posted on MM by Randy Ferguson, who learned the procedure from Wray Schelin. So that is a yes, I grind the proud of the weld down before hammering with a slapper. Johny you also posted this same procedure here, that surely helped.

I haven't seen the weld crack after hammering ...yet. I'm putting my hopes on "cracking welds myth busted"!

--GJ

[Gert-Jan]

First I tried to produce a constant stitch weld bead, with enough burn through. I ended up setting the voltage and wire speed a bit higher. A more consistent spot weld was the result.




Good lighting is essential I found out, I used my engine hoist and attached a fluorescent light.


I still have some difficulties with shrinkage adjacent to the weld. I guess I should just treat that as a low spot and file the weld a bit more.


My spots have a hole in the middle, maybe the wirespeed is too low.


--GJ