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Little tip on MIG welding and tools used.

22K views 45 replies 11 participants last post by  sbchevfreak 
#1 ·
Cutting off the end of the wire before each weld while MIG welding is known as being a great way to start a weld. The wire sort of "spears" the metal and starts an arc RIGHT NOW.

I had a some guys working for me when I did this because I would always find the wire cutters that were kept with the welder gone. So I got a chain and bent open the last link putting it over the guns cable. :D I welded the side cutters to the chain and now of course, they are always there when I use the welder. I did this about twenty years ago, never lost or misplaced another pair. :) And you never "cheat" and think, "oh heck I'll just weld this without cutting" when the cutters aren't there. By the way, the chain will slide up and down the cable so you can put it out of your way or slide it all the way up to the welder and hang the cutters on the welders handle if you want to get it out of your way.

And it has an added feature in that when I did this I wasn't thinking and grabbed my brothers wire cutters with his name engraved on it. Yes I bought him another pair but it's been a good laugh when ever it's brought up.

Brian
 

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#31 ·
I have seen a truck frame that was butt welded break. See this thread:
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/whats-best-way-weld-box-plates-onto-frame-51392.html
It's probably safe enough for grass and tree saplings, but I'd hate to hit a concrete curb or big rock with them. I have welded new cutting edges on shredder blades, but made the welds in line with the blades, not butt welds. I just hate to see anyone get hurt.
 
#43 ·
not sure if this question was ever answered. I'd say sleeve it with an insert after measering up/down/left/ right to insure it's in the right place. Nowadays I-car recommends to cut 1/4" slits on each corner of the frame end and taking duck bill pliers to bevel each end so it slips perfectly into the new frame horn, then welding it shut. They most likely only recommend this over a sleeve approach due to newer cars being unibody cars designed to colapse in certain ways to avoid whip lash. If it's an older car there's no need cause it's not designed to lure impact forces in certain directions or dissipating energy. If you get rear ended in an old school break your neck with pride. :D
 
#32 ·
graydog said:
I have seen a truck frame that was butt welded break. See this thread:
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/whats-best-way-weld-box-plates-onto-frame-51392.html
It's probably safe enough for grass and tree saplings, but I'd hate to hit a concrete curb or big rock with them. I have welded new cutting edges on shredder blades, but made the welds in line with the blades, not butt welds. I just hate to see anyone get hurt.
the forces against and the way stress is applied to a truck frame is different than those blades
 
#34 ·
From AWS (American Welding Society) :

Shredders are driven at a relatively high RPM and could send a broken end a long distance and cause injury or death.

"Have you ever seen someone throw an axe or a knife into a big block of wood?* *Imagine that was a bystander."

Their opinion, not mine.
 
#36 ·
had to drag this back out

I just changed the way I handle my mig welding torch when doing spot welds for bodywork


I know you should cut the tip of the wire off, every time you make a spot weld

that is a very time consuming and awkward process (I feel like I need 3 hands)

today I just stopped putting the welpers down, and now use them to hold the end of the mig torch, when making the spot weld


when welding

when cutting

back to welding


it makes me feel like a welding robot :mwink:
 
#39 ·
matts37chev said:
I just changed the way I handle my mig welding torch when doing spot welds for bodywork


I know you should cut the tip of the wire off, every time you make a spot weld

that is a very time consuming and awkward process (I feel like I need 3 hands)

today I just stopped putting the welpers down, and now use them to hold the end of the mig torch, when making the spot weld



it makes me feel like a welding robot :mwink:
I couldn't pull that off but looks like a great way for you. I just know I couldn't hold it steady or something.

Brian
 
#40 ·
Cutting ball off .........

Hi,IF i understand this correctly,you are taking the ball off of the wire.by touching it to the clamp !! NOT cutting the tip off with welpers??Another thing,i have been welding for over 35 years,when i am MIG welding i have NEVER used a mask,i am NOT looking at the wire tip,im looking at the brass metal wire shroud.IF im ARC welding,yes,im wearing a mask,my eyes are STILL 20/20.,AND most of my welds need very little grinding.
 
#42 ·
Hi,IF i understand this correctly,you are taking the ball off of the wire.by touching it to the clamp !! NOT cutting the tip off with welpers??Another thing,i have been welding for over 35 years,when i am MIG welding i have NEVER used a mask,i am NOT looking at the wire tip,im looking at the brass metal wire shroud.IF im ARC welding,yes,im wearing a mask,my eyes are STILL 20/20.,AND most of my welds need very little grinding.
That might work for you but I sure wouldnt give that advice to anyone else.
 
#41 ·
I don't know about anyone else, but if I don't have my welding jacket buttoned all the way up and I weld for a while I end up with a nice "sun" burn in a "V" shape between my mask and jacket..... I can't imagine not wearing a mask....... I'd be crispy for sure..........

Then again If I'm Mig welding at work I usually am welding at 26-30volts with the wire speed cranked up, maybe welding sheet metal would be better, but I'd say always wear a mask, the risk of burning your eyes or getting a nasty "sun" burn aren't worth it.......




Zachb

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#44 ·
Brian , Ebook time ?

Brian has written excellent articles on welding, Auto body repair, that newby's probably haven't seen, I printed them off a few years ago and filed them in my welding notebook , told junior to read and improve his welding,
Brian can you have links when you post. also there is a lot of great informatioon others have done, I am thinking Dan's interor-upholstery posts.
 
#46 ·
Just a quick explanation of what I posted earlier about vertical welds on factory frames:

From "Welding Essentials" by William Galvery and Frank Marlowe. . .


"Do not place any welds perpendicular to the channel. Welds perpendicular to the channel concentrate stresses on just one section of the weld. This is because end welds on the patch plate prevent beam stress from being distributed evenly along the weld length. They become a new stress riser and will produce near term failure."

This is also what is taught when I took my AST apprenticeship.
 
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