How do I weld the Windsheild frame
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 341
Likes: 1
From: Levittown Pa
How do I weld the Windsheild frame
I am a beginner welder and when I tried to weld the frame at the top header all it would do is burn right through. I have a lincoln 180 pro mig, setting was A, speed was 1 to 1.25 gas.
Did they lead it?
Did they lead it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,357
Likes: 427
From: Seattle Area WA
That is some very light sheet metal you are tying to weld. You don't state your wire size but you need a .023" wire, maybe even a powdered metal core wire to help you out, and the proper setting on your welder. I have a Miller but I assume that this is a very low setting on your Lincoln. I would practice on some similar gage sheet metal for a few hours first until you get the hang of welding "beer can thick" sheet metal.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,983
From: Connecticut, USA
The metal is .040" thick if I recall. I cut out the rot to about the size of a quarter, fit a new piece of sheet metal in and welded it. You're running too hot, is that the lowest setting on your machine?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
x3
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
There are some very good welding instructional DVDs available. I think my dad got his from Northern Tool. One of the best non-technical instruction demonstrations of sheet metal repair that I've ever seen was on an episode of Stacey David's new show on ESPN2 - he was repairing the rocker channels on an old Ford Bronco owned by Ted Nugent. From a structural standpoint, it's similar to the windshield frame on a Corvette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,441
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One more point, those A,B,C,D heat settings require some adjustment to torch speed from the operator, just another trick that a little experience and practice teaches. Use some metal the same approximate thickness to practice on, like scrap exhaust pipe pieces (new pipe), and run some beads down the length. If you burn through, speed up your hand. If the weld doesn't penetrate, and on the "A" setting I think this would be the most likely scenario, switch to a hotter setting but maintain the previous hand speed that didn't penetrate well with the previous heat setting.
You need to learn to adjust your hand speeds, as well as heat settings, my guess is you're moving that torch too slowly, you can burn through even on the "A" setting if you're going too slow.
Follow the recommended heat settings for the various metal thicknesses, and if you burn through speed up you hand.
My welder says a heat setting of "C" and a wire speed of 4-5 for 18ga (.048") metal using .025" wire and gas.
You need to learn to adjust your hand speeds, as well as heat settings, my guess is you're moving that torch too slowly, you can burn through even on the "A" setting if you're going too slow.
Follow the recommended heat settings for the various metal thicknesses, and if you burn through speed up you hand.
My welder says a heat setting of "C" and a wire speed of 4-5 for 18ga (.048") metal using .025" wire and gas.
Last edited by shafrs3; Jun 16, 2007 at 10:06 PM.