Quick welding question . . .

[Roadkill]

Basically I need to weld the LCA relocation brackets on my Camaro's axle tomorrow night.

The only welder I have available is the one belonging to my company (the one Jaime used).

It's a stick-welder jobbie.

Here's a piccy of how it should look . . .



Is this welder O.K ? - It's been ages since I've done any and that was with a MIG . .

[F Body]

Quoting: Roadkill

Is this welder O.K ?

Yes but get yourself some scrap metal pieces and do a few practice runs.
It's all about peneration, by the time I've done two of three similar practice runs it's usually good to go

[Losty]

Quoting: F Body

It's all about penetration,

[EDGE]

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.....

[Roadkill]

Quoting: EDGE

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.....

I'd be doing it in the back garden . . .

[Jamieg285]

My honest advice is don't do that job with that welder - not unless you are well practised with stick welding.

Yes, you'd be able to weld it on OK, but with the job that bracket is going to be doing, you want to be sure it's welded on properly. You don't want to find it falls off on you when you're giving it some welly!

Stick welding ain't easy to get right. Either find someone who can stick weld properly, or someone with a better welder
( )

[Roadkill]

Think I'm gonna be borrowing Graemey's welder, now . . . .

[sixpack2639]

Quoting: F Body

It's all about peneration

That's what she said!!

[EDGE]

Quoting: Roadkill

I'd be doing it in the back garden . . .

yeah, well i was welding the xr2 in the front garden and the inner arch caught fire !!! not a big fire but it ATE the wiring loom and a lot of the trim parts..

so, i say again

FIRE EXINGUISHERS.....

[Roadkill]

I'm welding an axle (off of the car) sitting on axle stands, on gravel, at least 8 feet away from anything even remotely flamable and the area is surrounded by galvanised sheeting.

If I do set anything on fire it'll be myself.

[Jamieg285]

Quoting: EDGE

well i was welding the xr2 in the front garden and the inner arch caught fire

Sounds familiar Apart from the XR2 that is.

My 'fire' was the underseal getting a bit warm. Thankfully I put it out quick enough so that there was no damage other than the underseal that burnt.

[EDGE]

Quoting: Roadkill

I'm welding an axle (off of the car) sitting on axle stands, on gravel, at least 8 feet away from anything even remotely flamable and the area is surrounded by galvanised sheeting.

If I do set anything on fire it'll be myself.

has the axel got any oil or anything left in it ?? thats pretty flamable.

and yes, you are also likely to catch yourself on fire..

its ok, i wont say it again :)

[Roadkill]

Quoting: EDGE

has the axel got any oil or anything left in it ??

No, it's been cleaned . . . apart from maybe surface lube inside the diff . . .

Quoting: EDGE

and yes, you are also likely to catch yourself on fire..

Wouldn't be the first time.

[Jamieg285]

If you are doing it right, I'd fully expect the surface oil to ignite.

If you can, try sealing off the ends so there's only a limited amount of air to burn with.

[F Body]

Quoting: Jamieg285

If you are doing it right, I'd fully expect the surface oil to ignite.

It is gonna get hot but the axle is one hell of a casting, so I'd doubt it'll get hot enough inside to catch fire

[Roadkill]

Plus the bit I'm welding to is itself a welded on bracket . . . Which is relatively thin . . . also I only need to lay down 1/2" or so in a couple of places so, If need be I can allow it to cool in between.

[F Body]

Quoting: Roadkill

If need be I can allow it to cool in between.

Tack it first and then check the position before you commit the full weld

[Roadkill]

Yup.

[Jamieg285]

Quoting: Roadkill

Plus the bit I'm welding to is itself a welded on bracket

Ah, didn't notice that. Very limited chance of fire then.  Possible the paint on the bracket, but that's about it.  

You can probably weld it all in one go (after tacking, of course )

[Roadkill]

Quoting: Jamieg285

Possible the paint on the bracket

Bare.

Quoting: Jamieg285

You can probably weld it all in one go (after tacking, of course )

Yeah, but it's been a while - I'll need a break to check I haven't fooked up !

[Rocky]

If you could have got it over to me, my old man would have welded it properly for some drink money, wouldnt take him long at all.

[Roadkill]

All done, now, mate.  Took about 15 minutes.

Cheers, though - you'll have her when I need my SFCs modifying.