BUILD THREAD 1987 Olds 442 Project Build

[Rktpwrd]

In addition to what Jared said, don't try and run beads or stitch welds on sheetmetal either.

Welding sheetmetal is done through a series of tack welds, (roughly 1 second long) next to one another. Jump around, don't put the welds back to back to back, you'll create too much heat and warp the panel.

If you have compressed air and a blow gun, cool each tack weld for 8-10 seconds afterwards with the air. I do this on all my sheetmetal welds, I find it really helps control the heat and minimizes warping.

D.

 

[oldsofb]

I can blow through on 30 wire speed (I'm gifted). It's going to take some time to find my zone. I think I need some thicker sheet to start off with until I get my sea legs.

 

[Texas82GP]

I can blow through on 30 wire speed (I'm gifted). It's going to take some time to find my zone. I think I need some thicker sheet to start off with until I get my sea legs.

Hang in there. You will get there.

 

[Canon_Mutant]

Of course, when I said I was a pretty good welder when I was a pup, that was old school stick welding and was even pretty good with acetylene and brazing for a time. These modern mig welders are awesome but I know I would be starting from scratch too with one of them. I was actually going to take my air box pieces to town to have them welded up before I got the Spectre box to work. If my air filter covers work as planned, they are just plastic sides dressed up with a piece of aluminum screwed to them . . . plastic welding [glue?] is now my forte . . .

 

[oldsofb]

So if anyone remembers my gauge cluster mod, I spoke in the video about the little Odometer Plastic Retainer and how I was nervous because they didn't make new ones.......well, they do.

Found this just poking around looking at parts I may need to get. Good to know.

Hutch

 

[Clutch]

In my experience I've found welder setting's tent to vary from different machines some simple rules are blowing three is to much heat or not enough wire speed fine tune it to what your doing also if your gas shielded you may need to bring up your gas psi for wilds not in position argon is heaver than air if a weld pops and spits that's usually the problem. When fine tuning make shore the conditions are the same for every weld no wind, no fan hope this helps

 

[liquidh8]

So if anyone remembers my gauge cluster mod, I spoke in the video about the little Odometer Plastic Retainer and how I was nervous because they didn't make new ones.......well, they do.


View attachment 71823
Found this just poking around looking at parts I may need to get. Good to know.

Hutch

That is good to know, I've kept broken Speedos just to have those plastic bars as a spare.

 

[motorheadmike]

Fine tune your welding skills on the thin metal even if it costs you 2 or 3 bottle of gas, a few spools of wire, and a lot of sheet metal - any monkey can weld 1/4" plate.

 

[oldsofb]

Fine tune your welding skills on the thin metal even if it costs you 2 or 3 bottle of gas, a few spools of wire, and a lot of sheet metal - any monkey can weld 1/4" plate.

Thanks. I was thinking that starting on the thin 22 ga stuff was like trying to take the intermediate class before the intro. I've been working with 18 ga metal from my trashed old cross member I replaced. That's been going a little better. I just need time under my belt to get better. I actually welded on the car a few days ago. It went well. I welded in a small patch piece to replace a rust spot on the floor.

Hutch

 

[motorheadmike]

Thanks. I was thinking that starting on the thin 22 ga stuff was like trying to take the intermediate class before the intro. I've been working with 18 ga metal from my trashed old cross member I replaced. That's been going a little better. I just need time under my belt to get better. I actually welded on the car a few days ago. It went well. I welded in a small patch piece to replace a rust spot on the floor.

And remember the old motto: Grinder and paint make me the welder I ain't.