Stock 56 Frame Welding

[hotrod1]

We have tried to TIG weld in our new IFS cross member to the stock frame are having a hard time. The welds keep coming out looking like they are contaminated. Has anybody else had this issue possibly because of the formula of the metal they used in 56? MIG is no problem though. Like the TIG for weld strength, control, and weld appearance. Maybe its going to be MIG welded.

[ezekiel]

There's decades of oil soaked into that frame and all bets are off on keeping your TIG torch clean.

If you haaaaave to use the TIG then you should sandblast the frame clean.

After grinding the area clean, I would use the MIG and pour the heat on. I've had some purdy welds pop right off after cooling down.

"More Power Scotty!"

[lonelywanderer]

alot if not all the builds i seen guys weld in the ifs crossmember were mig welded. if your worried about weld strength stick weld it

[hotrod1]

What gauge wire with a MIG to weld the IFS?

[ambryatim]

Originally Posted by lonelywanderer

alot if not all the builds i seen guys weld in the ifs crossmember were mig welded. if your worried about weld strength stick weld it

Yea, 7018 would work good. On the MIG wire thickness .035" for 110v machine and .045" for a 220v machine. You can use Flux core like mentioned above and also 75/25 gas and get a very nice weld, or just use solid wire.

We use the flux with shielding gas for all of the warranty work on buses. Oh, and the flux core is actually stronger than the solid wire. More tensile strength.

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by ambryatim

Yea, 7018 would work good. On the MIG wire thickness .035" for 110v machine and .045" for a 220v machine. You can use Flux core like mentioned above and also 75/25 gas and get a very nice weld, or just use solid wire.

We use the flux with shielding gas for all of the warranty work on buses. Oh, and the flux core is actually stronger than the solid wire. More tensile strength.

The only issue with 7018 is it has to be stored in an oven at 250 degrees or its junk, making it not user freindly for the home hobby guy. 7018 also know as low hydrogen rod doesn't come in a mig wire so you have to be good with a stick box. But if you want to stick weld it its the rod of choice for structural welding.

[dwcsr]

I use .030 or .035 ER70S-6. Its a good general purpose wire that has good deoxidizers in it for this old iron. If the frame is pitted with rust you may want to use flux core or get it blasted. Flux core burns in better and tolerates rust and crud better than gas sheild

[ambryatim]

Oopps!! Forgot about the storage of the 7018...we have a rod heater here at my work...small things like that we take for granted. But, you are correct. Thank You.