Fisher Price - My first welding and fabrication

[RogerT]

[orangebooboobearcrew]

All,
Thanks for your posts and words of encouragement.
At the end of the day, I am just an ordinary guy 'having a go'. Did lots of reading, youtube videos, chatted to a few old skool pals who have welded and got on the Migwelding forum.
I'll admit, after buying my MIG (Clarke 151 turbo) it sat in the garage for best part of 2 years and I was scared of it - after all, I could set myself / van / house on fire, blow up the fuel tank, blow up the gas canister, electrocute myself, blind myself, kill myself with toxic fumes - the list goes on.
But I finally plucked up the courage to have a go and it was the best thing I have done. In fact, once you have a practice and get the basics, it's actually pretty easy; like everything, preparation is the key.
My welding isn't pretty, but it works and as someone said, careful use of the grinder can hide a multitude of sins.
The metal I am using is 1mm mild sheet steel which I bought from Just Crappers for about £20. This should be enough for what I am working on.
Using 0.6mm wire on Clarke 151 welder.
Gas is Hobbyweld 5 argon/Co2 mix. It was £37 for the refill, about £70 for the deposit but you get that back at the end.
I'm back to the unit tomorrow, so progress update / pics will follow..

[Plasticman]

good work but this

would have saved a load of time
mm

[itchyfeet]

Anybody know what gas flow is reasonable
I have a flow gauge in litres/minuite?

[orangebooboobearcrew]

I was told to hold the torch against your cheek and when you can just feel the gas that is enough - any more is wasting gas, Don't know if that's good advice or not but it seems to be welding ok.

MM - you are the bodywork sage and I bow down before ye and doth my cap.
Is that panel double skinned and if so how much is one?
If not, do you do the inner one as well and if so,how much for each?

[rowlesy]

Anybody know what gas flow is reasonable
I have a flow gauge in litres/minuite?

down as much as need be. if you get the "popcorn" look (porosity) turn it up til it goes

[itchyfeet]

Thanks Rowlesy

[boatbuilder]

I set mine at around 10 litres per minute.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[itchyfeet]

Thanks, this is the gauge if anybody hasn't seen one, saves wasting too much gas

[Plasticman]

fit one of these
https://www.toolstoday.co.uk/parweld-ga ... 7Qod5UMG2w" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
vary the flow dependent on weld and wind(if outdoors)
mm

[what2do]

Thanks, this is the gauge if anybody hasn't seen one, saves wasting too much gas

Oh my giddy aunt, never seen one of those. Looks as though it does what it says on the tin.

[bigbadbob76]

Congratulations Orange, you've got over the worst bit... making that first cut, you'll soon get the hang of grinding out and welding in, it does take a bit of encouragement from those who know what they're doing ( I was wary at first too) but don't be scared to grind it out if it's rusty, leaving rust in there will just rot your hard work. and don't be tempted to hide rusty bits behind patches.
Your welding will get better and better as you work your way around the van. practice makes perfect. don't forget to paint or spray the back side of your patches where possible, this can be tricky in the blind spots.
Good luck and enjoy it.

[boatbuilder]

Keep up the good work, its all about getting stuck in and learning as you go.
I grew up on a farm so was used to welding stuff with a stick welder, but hadn't touched a mig at all until I started doing my van.

A few things that I learned along the way -

An autodarkening helmet is a must-have.
Keep a stock of spare tips.
Clean your welding mask so you can actually see through it.
Have good lighting around where you are welding so you can see what you're doing.
Make your metal as clean as possible before you weld - I mostly grit blasted.
The black transit paint on new panels is useless. Remove it and put proper primer and paint on it.
Use weld through aerosol primer between seams/overlapped areas.
Use an 8mm drill to make holes for plug welds.
You can cool your welds as you go along with an airgun and a compressor - helps to reduce warpage.
Adjust the tension on your wire reel so that it moves freely and your wire speed isn't getting slowed down or made erratic.
Use cereal packet cardboard to make templates for new metal to be welded in.
I reused most of the good bits of the tall arches that I cut off, as patches for other areas.

[bigbadbob76]

I'll add one in there..

Keep the gas flowing between welds when you're stitching panels on with the on-off method. just let the trigger half off so the current stops but the gas still flows. it keeps the oxygen away from the weld until it's cooled.

[orangebooboobearcrew]

Lots of great advice there guys - thanks

Haven't had chance to post up pics from last weekend yet but will try and do it soon...