frame welding

[Tom Vogel]

After reading this thread, I dont know where to begin. My first impression is to just mind my own business, however, I dont want to see someone get hurt. 110 short arc welders were Never intended for structural welding. An expert might be able to safely do it, but its a bad idea for a novice. If I had you here, I could show you short arc welds that look beutiful in every respect but will fall apart if you drop them on the floor (Honest).
If you want to tack a washer, fine. If you want to join a frame... Holy crap. Get some expert help. Just dont want to see someone hurt.

PS These frames are mild carbon steel .03 to .31% carbon. .. you cant draw out the carbon or harden it. Cracking can be caused by cold laps or any number of other welding/fabrication mistakes. This can all be avoided by using the right welder in the right (qualified) hands. Surely you can find someone to help.

[Old Chevy Mech]

Originally Posted by Tom Vogel

PS These frames are mild carbon steel .03 to .31% carbon. .. you cant draw out the carbon or harden it. Cracking can be caused by cold laps or any number of other welding/fabrication mistakes. This can all be avoided by using the right welder in the right (qualified) hands. Surely you can find someone to help.

Thats good info I didnt know that. Where did you get the info on the frame steel? I also am a firm believer that the steel in these frames is better/purer steel than some of the newer stuff out there.
I had always understood that you didnt want to use too much heat as it negatively affected the steel in the area of the weld. So I have always been extra careful not to allow heat to spread over a large area, and use heat sinks.
Doesent the weld also have to be able to flex like the frame? I know these frames twist & flex and so if a repair is too ridgid, wouldnt that lead to craking right next to the repair?

In any event I havent had a weld, repair or modification fail so I must have been doing something right!

Frank