Author Topic: welding advice  (Read 1696 times)

Offline macsdaddy

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welding advice
« on: October 10, 2008 - 03:29:36 PM »
In prep for my resto project I am wanting to take a welding course or two (always wanted to learn anyway) . So I have been looking through the listings a local tech scools and I am hoping some of you could advise me as to what types of welding and skills will come im most useful for me in the project.  Thanks for any advice  :newbie:




Offline 73inCanada

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Re: welding advice
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2008 - 04:37:12 PM »
me too

Offline dutch

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Re: welding advice
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2008 - 05:44:41 PM »
mig/mag basics... and an E-body or two for practice  :biggrin: :2thumbs:
*** Bart ***

Offline 72bluNblu

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Re: welding advice
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2008 - 07:18:07 PM »
An oxy-acetelene (gas welding) class is probably best for learning actual welding technique, but that type of welding isn't particularly helpful for doing what most folks need to do for an e-body, which is sheet metal replacement. A mig class would be much more relevant, but I really dislike mig welding. It's easier though, much more suited to the spot welding you need to do for an e-body, and a machine that would work for an e-body can be relatively affordable. I personally think Tig welding is the best, but Tig welders are more expensive and its more difficult to learn (more like gas welding). It would be significantly slower for spot welding, but gives more control for welding sheet metal, especially for welding in the middle of a panel (like for a patch). It also gives a much better weld if you're doing frame work. I am of course biased because I learned Tig welding first.

If you just want to learn how to weld so you can get through an e-body project, a mig class would be the fastest and easiest way to go. If you want to learn actual welding theory/ technique, take a gas welding class first. It will also make you a better Mig welder...

Offline ntstlgl1970

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Re: welding advice
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2008 - 07:59:46 PM »
If you can, take a course through a community college, the courses typically are longer in duration and much cheaper than a trade school/wyotech type program giving you what you need the most - time spent practicing.
70 Cuda, 7.0L Gen-III Hemi, Viper T56 w/9310 gearset, 3.91's, Megasquirt MS3x v3.57, Innovate wideband, Firm Feel upper arms, torsion bars, springs and strut rods, QA1 DA shocks. I did everything on this car except the fancy paint stuff and I drive it...and I can't seem to stop messing with it....

Offline macsdaddy

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Re: welding advice
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2008 - 09:47:24 PM »
Thanks so much, now the search is on.

Offline Topcat

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Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline 73inCanada

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Re: welding advice
« Reply #7 on: October 11, 2008 - 03:59:17 PM »
I fond this last night...may be good 4 us..... howtoASAP.com.................... We are your best resource and the first choice to building a better project thru education. If you have been looking for all of the tricks of the trade to help build a better project then you have come to the right place.

I have not ordered anthing yet!!!!

Offline brads70

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Re: welding advice
« Reply #8 on: October 31, 2008 - 09:26:44 PM »
Mig is the easiest to learn in my opinion Lots of practice!! I just bought a tig welder for aluminum , ( and steel) I love it! I have a mig too as well as an arc welder. After I bought my mig I have never used the arc ever again!  Mig and tig work good for sheet metal !  when I learned I just bought a machine and practised ( lots) 
Hope that helps?
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline elitecustombody

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Re: welding advice
« Reply #9 on: October 31, 2008 - 11:13:12 PM »
TIG and  MIG ,is all you need to know
Stefan B

Elite Custom Body = AMD Sheetmetal & Glass at great prices !!


Don't do what's easy, do what's right!!

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: welding advice
« Reply #10 on: November 01, 2008 - 03:05:55 AM »
for sheet metal a light duty mig will work great , use a smaller wires .28 with gas , buy a decent quality welder though , nothing worse than fighting with a cheap quality welder

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline ntstlgl1970

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Re: welding advice
« Reply #11 on: November 01, 2008 - 08:34:59 PM »
you can get a deal on a used miller or lincoln via craigslist, or ask at your local welding store see if anyone is upgrading and trading one in.
70 Cuda, 7.0L Gen-III Hemi, Viper T56 w/9310 gearset, 3.91's, Megasquirt MS3x v3.57, Innovate wideband, Firm Feel upper arms, torsion bars, springs and strut rods, QA1 DA shocks. I did everything on this car except the fancy paint stuff and I drive it...and I can't seem to stop messing with it....

Offline cudax34me

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Re: welding advice
« Reply #12 on: November 02, 2008 - 12:29:08 AM »
Mig is the easiest to learn in my opinion Lots of practice!! I just bought a tig welder for aluminum , ( and steel) I love it! I have a mig too as well as an arc welder. After I bought my mig I have never used the arc ever again!  Mig and tig work good for sheet metal !  when I learned I just bought a machine and practised ( lots) 
Hope that helps?

i would go to the local scrapyard and pick up some bent up fenders for cheap. cut them up and put them back together till you feal comfortable to do it on your car.

Offline bb71challenger

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Re: welding advice
« Reply #13 on: November 02, 2008 - 01:15:51 AM »
If you can, take a course through a community college, the courses typically are longer in duration and much cheaper than a trade school/wyotech type program giving you what you need the most - time spent practicing.

Best advice I have seen so far. You will get your feet wet on OAW-oxy/acetylene welding(torch), fcaw or flux core arc welding(mig welding without shielding gas), gmaw-gas metal arc welding(mig welding with shielding gas) gtaw-gas tungsten arc welding(tig), and smaw-shielded metal arc welding(stick welding)

I took a course last semester and although I knew somewhat about welding it really gives you the time and opportunity to get a feel for different setting for different metals and metal thickness. I had the most fun with and spent the most time on tig welding. 
1971 Challenger (OO==== ====OO) getting close!
1970 Challenger (OO########OO) long ways off
*Brett*