OT-Look at welds...need advice. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bucket · 03-09-2005, 01:55 AM

Let me start off by saying I am a beginner welder.....& I need advice from you experts. I began by flanging the patch panel and plug welding it in. I then tried to do short continuous welds along the seam. You can see in the pic that as i grind the welds with a flap disc it is hitting adjacent panel. My concern is grinding to much and weakening the surrounding metal. Should i leave it and rely on filler? or grind till it looks like in books. My father always says "sometimes the fix is worse than the problem"

Blue Beard · 03-09-2005, 08:05 AM

What kind of welder are you using?

Start with spot welds, too much weld (even short) can cause more problems.

If you are using a wire feed welder, use gas bottle .... you will like it alot more.

*Gee_Emm* · 03-09-2005, 10:52 AM

I would stay away from overlapping the metal, real potential rust area. Pick yourself up some of these clamps, keep the welds short, use about 1 second welds to weld the entire panel in. The clamps keep the proper spacing between the 2 pieces and you fill in the gap with weld. For grinding get a flap disc for your grinder, take off the high spots with it then finsh with a flat disc grinding with the disc flat and not on an angle.

bucket · 03-09-2005, 11:17 AM

thanks for the input. i'm using a 110 clarke w/ argon & co2. i was concerned about the overlaps so i used a weld through primer hoping it would help. plus the car is full of pinch and lap welds from the factory, so whats one more?

i was using a 24 grit flap disc. maybe too aggresive.

i will work on the butt weld technique.

**raggedjim** · 03-09-2005, 11:48 AM

Bucket, I have seen repair shops do worse work. You're looking good as far as I'm concerned. Have fun and learn as you go!

Good luck, Rg

krue · 03-09-2005, 11:49 AM

Where can I get some of those clamps?

**raggedjim** · 03-09-2005, 11:55 AM

Harbor Freight, I'll look for the item number...

Rg

71cadc10 · 03-09-2005, 12:41 PM

Eastwood is good for stuff like this too.....

eastwood

**raggedjim** · 03-09-2005, 01:20 PM

Eastwood, 4 for $29.00
http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/p...ProductID=1159

Harbor Freight, 8 for $4.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44751

Eastwood has good quality but I can't help but think it won't make much difference in this case, Rg

shifty · 03-09-2005, 02:02 PM

Mmmmm Eastwood. Their rust encapsulator rocks socks. No better product on the market.

meathead95 · 03-09-2005, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raggedjim

Eastwood, 4 for $29.00
http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/p...ProductID=1159

Harbor Freight, 8 for $4.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44751

Eastwood has good quality but I can't help but think it won't make much difference in this case, Rg

I feel like a schmuck now, I bought the eastwood 4 for 30 deal!

**raggedjim** · 03-09-2005, 05:40 PM

Hey Meathead, don't feel bad, I didn't find the Harbor Freight one's until I had bought the Eastwood one's first, then I bought the harbor freight one's also (so I have 12 of them ) Seems the shipping on the harbor freight was kinda high, I can't remember though.

Rg

bucket · 03-09-2005, 06:04 PM

i did the same thing with my clekos. bought the eastwood "panel holding system". later found the clekos at a airplane parts supplier for waay less.

krue · 03-09-2005, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucket

i did the same thing with my clekos. bought the eastwood "panel holding system". later found the clekos at a airplane parts supplier for waay less.

Where did you find them, do they have a website? I am gonna be doing lots of patching and need all the help I can get.

bucket · 03-09-2005, 06:55 PM

what do you know...they do have a web site! i love going in this place. tons of cool stuff. try not to get to sick when you see the prices of clekos compared to eastwood. (i do still love you eastwood)

http://www.airpartsinc.com/

**raggedjim** · 03-10-2005, 10:51 AM

THIS is exactly why I come to this site!

That airpartsinc is a cool site!

Rg

03-09-2005, 01:55 AM	#1
bucket Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 923	OT-Look at welds...need advice. Let me start off by saying I am a beginner welder.....& I need advice from you experts. I began by flanging the patch panel and plug welding it in. I then tried to do short continuous welds along the seam. You can see in the pic that as i grind the welds with a flap disc it is hitting adjacent panel. My concern is grinding to much and weakening the surrounding metal. Should i leave it and rely on filler? or grind till it looks like in books. My father always says "sometimes the fix is worse than the problem" Attached Images

03-09-2005, 08:05 AM	#2
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,834	What kind of welder are you using? Start with spot welds, too much weld (even short) can cause more problems. If you are using a wire feed welder, use gas bottle .... you will like it alot more. __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

03-09-2005, 11:48 AM	#5
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,589	Bucket, I have seen repair shops do worse work. You're looking good as far as I'm concerned. Have fun and learn as you go! Good luck, Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203

03-09-2005, 11:49 AM	#6
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Where can I get some of those clamps? __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

03-09-2005, 11:55 AM	#7
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,589	Harbor Freight, I'll look for the item number... Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203

03-09-2005, 10:52 AM	#3
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,002	I would stay away from overlapping the metal, real potential rust area. Pick yourself up some of these clamps, keep the welds short, use about 1 second welds to weld the entire panel in. The clamps keep the proper spacing between the 2 pieces and you fill in the gap with weld. For grinding get a flap disc for your grinder, take off the high spots with it then finsh with a flat disc grinding with the disc flat and not on an angle.

03-09-2005, 11:17 AM	#4
bucket Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 923	thanks for the input. i'm using a 110 clarke w/ argon & co2. i was concerned about the overlaps so i used a weld through primer hoping it would help. plus the car is full of pinch and lap welds from the factory, so whats one more? i was using a 24 grit flap disc. maybe too aggresive. i will work on the butt weld technique.

03-09-2005, 12:41 PM	#8
71cadc10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Boiling Springs, PA Posts: 435	Eastwood is good for stuff like this too..... eastwood __________________ 71 C10 long bed, 2003 6.0L, 06GTO E40, T56, 12bolt 4.10 rear

03-09-2005, 01:20 PM	#9
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,589	Eastwood, 4 for $29.00 http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/p...ProductID=1159 Harbor Freight, 8 for $4.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44751 Eastwood has good quality but I can't help but think it won't make much difference in this case, Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203

03-09-2005, 02:02 PM	#10
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	Mmmmm Eastwood. Their rust encapsulator rocks socks. No better product on the market. __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

03-09-2005, 05:40 PM	#12
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,589	Hey Meathead, don't feel bad, I didn't find the Harbor Freight one's until I had bought the Eastwood one's first, then I bought the harbor freight one's also (so I have 12 of them ) Seems the shipping on the harbor freight was kinda high, I can't remember though. Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203

03-09-2005, 06:04 PM	#13
bucket Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 923	i did the same thing with my clekos. bought the eastwood "panel holding system". later found the clekos at a airplane parts supplier for waay less.

03-09-2005, 06:55 PM	#15
bucket Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 923	what do you know...they do have a web site! i love going in this place. tons of cool stuff. try not to get to sick when you see the prices of clekos compared to eastwood. (i do still love you eastwood) http://www.airpartsinc.com/

03-10-2005, 10:51 AM	#16
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,589	THIS is exactly why I come to this site! That airpartsinc is a cool site! Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203

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