Author Topic: Newbie welder  (Read 12004 times)

Offline Topcat

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Re: Newbie welder
« Reply #45 on: July 02, 2014 - 11:41:55 PM »
With a lot of practice, I can weld like that in 40 years. Hope they allow TIG welders in the nursing home... :grinno:

Is it a dogs only nursing home?
Or are Cats allowed there too?   :biggrin:
Mike, Fremont, CA.





Offline Surfmichaels

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Re: Newbie welder
« Reply #46 on: July 03, 2014 - 12:08:45 AM »
Am I the only one thinking that your new rails are now the strongest part of your car by a significant margin? There may be more metal to metal contact on one rail than in the rest of the car. 

Next step stitch welding up the seams???

I thought about doing it everywhere, but only did it in the engine bay based on the locations that were popping spot welds on the hotchkiss car....

Offline soundcontrol

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Re: Newbie welder
« Reply #47 on: July 03, 2014 - 04:34:38 AM »
Am I the only one thinking that your new rails are now the strongest part of your car by a significant margin? There may be more metal to metal contact on one rail than in the rest of the car. 

Next step stitch welding up the seams???

I thought about doing it everywhere, but only did it in the engine bay based on the locations that were popping spot welds on the hotchkiss car....

Welding all seams seems like a very good thought to me... Just drove the car around a bit, big difference! Feels like another car. My convertible top frame has always had an annoying rattle, its totally gone. I also bought US Cartools lower radiator support and inner fender braces, my car already had the torque boxes so I skipped those, I will be welding in the other parts during next winter.
/ Ken
Restoration thread: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=102525.0
topic=108917.new#new

Offline dodj

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Re: Newbie welder
« Reply #48 on: July 05, 2014 - 07:21:34 AM »
Welding all seams seems like a very good thought to me...
:iagree:
When I was replacing my rear shock cross member, I remember noticing how few spot weld there were, so I welded all along bother rear frame rails.
I also bought US Cartools lower radiator support and inner fender braces, my car already had the torque boxes so I skipped those, I will be welding in the other parts during next winter.
I just welded in the inner fender braces and I could notice the increased stiffness of the front. Worth the effort installing them - imo.
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
Good friends don't let friends do stupid things. ........alone.

Offline rhamson

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Re: Newbie welder
« Reply #49 on: July 09, 2014 - 02:59:22 PM »
Got my connectors welded in today, came out great, took the whole day though. My friend helped me, wish I could weld like that. I just quickly put a coat of epoxy paint on them, putting the seats in tomorrow, and then I'm off to  http://bigmeet.com/eng/

Looks really good!

Offline MTS-Challenger

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Re: Newbie welder
« Reply #50 on: July 09, 2014 - 11:02:44 PM »
Finally got my connectors up! I spotwelded them with a TIG, but I'm gonna have a friend do the actual welding for me, don't trust myself. I practided a lot of TIG welding, I can make nice welds while sitting in a good position at a table, but once under the car it became very difficult, I realize it takes a lot of experience to make it nice with a TIG. Good thing is that my floor boards seems to be in good condition.


How did you remove the under coating?  :wow:
1970 Challenger R/T 440

Offline soundcontrol

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Re: Newbie welder
« Reply #51 on: July 10, 2014 - 08:33:58 AM »

How did you remove the under coating?  :wow:

First I tried with just a scraper for removing paint, did not go well at all. Then I got a torch, heated it up, then scraped it off, I that was pretty easy, after that I used a wirewheel on my grinder to get down to bare steel. My first attempt got me a tennis elbow, still suffering from that..
/ Ken
Restoration thread: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=102525.0
topic=108917.new#new