Wire Feed Welding OT

[55 Fargo]

Has anyone tried using a tig. I have seen the die maintenance guys use them at work and they can do repairs to the dies that you cant see where they welded. I was wondering if you could weld the patches in solid with one? I know the cost of one is much higher then a mig though.

The more I see how 3M panel bond works the better I like it. Super strong, seals edge completely, and is nice and neat, and no heat to warp...very strong bond with this 2 part adhesive...

[martybose]

I don't think you could do an invisible weld, even using TIG welding. I've seen experts TIG weld 2 halves of a beer can together without warping, but you still have a seam to deal with. That would not be a problem with the new super glues .....

Marty

[eh dubya]

I don't think you could do an invisible weld, even using TIG welding

It's done all the time in high end restoration with both steel and aluminium and the process of choice is usually oxy-acetylene.

Copper spray is what professionals use to protect the rear and lap joints because it doesn't burn off and self heals, it's been required by law here for crash repairs for years.

-Andy

[RobRobitaille]

I am going to try a tig on some scraps and see. The guy next door offered to teach me to use his. Its only 120v and the size of a lunch box looks very convenient.

[Tim Keith]

If I could have just one welder I'd look for a used 220 volt MIG from Miller, Lincoln, Hobart on Craigs List. I have a 20 year old 115 volt Lincoln Weld-Pak 100 with gas setup that works okay for automobile repair. The little MIG can't handle bigger than 3/16-inch but it works well for sheet metal, exhaust etc. I have a Lincoln AC DC buzz box that can weld thicker metal, as well as an oxy-acetylene gas setup. There is no single perfect welder, but the 220 volt MIG would handle most of what I would want to do. A DC stick welder can be easy to use as well, but requires more skill than MIG.

RobRobitaille, Harbor Freight sells a lunch box sized 80 amp DC inverter welder for about $140. It runs on 115 volts and can be easily converted to TIG. Other than the lack of power to handle thick metal the reviews are good. I wonder what size of generator set could run this remotely?

[austinsailor]

There is a solid wire, I think called easy grind, that is easier to grind the welds. A little more expensive, but easier to clean up.

[knighthawk]

I sold my old wire feed when I moved from Kansas, and just a couple weeks ago, my sister bought all new tires for her motorhome, gave me the old ones, and I traded them for a used 110 Hobart (GAS) wire feed, works good ! I like the 110, cause it's 'portable', use with any 110 outlet

....question ; what is the "copper spray'' refferred to in a prevoious post by 'eh dubya' ?

[eh dubya]

here's a couple...

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-copper-weld-thru-primer-16-oz-aerosol.html

www.vbsa.fr/en-item-107-copper-spray-anti-corrosive.htm

I've not used either.