welders

[Huw Powell]

> > > >the 110V MIG units on the market.  I only have experience with the
> > > larger
> >
> > Obviously you are limited as to heat available and duty cycle, but
> 
> Man, THIS is relevant to me.  I've got some auto sheet metal to
> weld, the sheets are about .85-.90 inch thick steel.  I forget
> what gauge that is.  I'll be doing T-joints.  Is the penetration
> of a 115V MIG machine good enough for this?  I've heard that flux
> core is better, except for the slag and smoke.

you should be fine.  Like I said, I built my exhaust with mine.  The
flux core does work well and is easy to use - no running out of gas!  It
is harder to "match" to the material though, I know it was messy welding
the aluminized steel fro the exhaust.  But it worked fine.  I am getting
better at making a nice bead, though I still can't touch my "real"
welder friend (who did my 90's stress bar, with his MIG machine).

I made a TV stand out of 2" black pipe and angle iron, well cleaned
worked very well, then I ground the welds smooth and filled the
irregularities with a dab of bondo, sanded, painted - they look like
someone who knew what they were doing did the work!

> 
> Checking web sites like those for Miller & Lincoln Electric, they
> all quote a maximum thickness a machine is good for.  I assume
> they're talking about doing it in s single pass?  If I make
> multiple passes I can weld thicker material than the machine is
> allegedly rated for, right?

I don't think so?  The thickness issue is one of how far into the base
stock the welder can melt - penetration.  Adding "more" weld on top
won't help, although I can see how another pass beside the first one
could increase the strength.

There is a Haynes welding manual out there - about $15, and a pretty
good read.  I'd recommend it, along with anythig you can get 'real'
welders to tell you about how they do their work.

-- 

Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/

http://www.humanthoughts.org/