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welding help...

C

cmantle1

Free Member
so long story short, i wanna hardtail this bike with a premade kit, alli have to do is weld the new swingarm to the subframe...

i got some scrab tubing and have been trying to practice welding it together, as these are probably the most crucial welding on the entire bike (having it split in two while going 70 would be bad), and i cant seem to get a good bead around it.

You guys have any tips for welding tube? and a way to test the strength of the welds?

im using a powerful enough welder, 187 hobart, with .030 wire. and the tubing is .120 wall....
 
cmantle1 said:
so long story short, i wanna hardtail this bike with a premade kit, alli have to do is weld the new swingarm to the subframe...

i got some scrab tubing and have been trying to practice welding it together, as these are probably the most crucial welding on the entire bike (having it split in two while going 70 would be bad), and i cant seem to get a good bead around it.

You guys have any tips for welding tube? and a way to test the strength of the welds?

im using a powerful enough welder, 187 hobart, with .030 wire. and the tubing is .120 wall....
Click to expand...

testing... only destructive.. get some similar tubing, weld it, cut it up to look at penetration, or, get a big hammer and beat the crap out of it..

What do you mean good bead around it? Is it not filling in nicely? You using a mig I take it? Make sure that everything is really really clean. You have the gas on? Yah, stupid question, but I have done that before...

Post some pics...
 
ok i cant find my camera to computer cord, so hold on the pics...

the welds arnt porous or anything like that, the bead is just haggard, and im unsure of the penetration..., ive cut some piece again with the chop saw, but that didnt really show me much.

im just scared of these welds failing, but i refuse to have someone else do it when i own a welder...
 
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Is it spitting a lot? Does the weld look too round in shape (too cold of a weld) and not filled in?

Mig right? You have a setting for wire speed and a setting for voltage, I believe. Have you played with these settings? How are you controlling the gun? Doing C's or S's?
 
yea mig, ive played with the settings a little, but right now its just set on hobarts reccomendation for speed and heat...

im trying to do wat i usually do, which is c's, but when i move down the tubing it kind of all goes to **** and wont make a pretty bead....kinda sittin on top...
 
cmantle1 said:
ive been thinking about it, any idea wat it would cost? i dont know anyone with a tig...
Click to expand...


Certainly there must be a few weld shops around you? I'd call a few bike shops and see if they have a machine or ask where they take their work. As far as cost, to stick a few pieces of tubing together aint gonna break the bank.
 
how big around is your tubing? always work uphand........about 18-22 volts on .120 wall shold be close plus or minus a volt or two. if you are shooting hard wire be sure you have a wind free enviornment. what is your flowmeter set at....and do you have any holes in the gas supply line? if you are welding small dia tubing, be ready to get off the trigger if it looks like it is getting too hot twards the end. is the steel all a36.......including the frame? if the frame is cro-mo you may need to pre heat or change wire.
 
Since you are still in the "practice" stage of welding...... I would suggest you take it to a reputable shop to have it done, or a person who knows WTF they are doing!!!!!
Nothing wrong with wanting to do it yourself, but..... major frame welding with novice skills would scare the ever livin chit out of me;);)
 
I agree with the rest of the guys suggestion to take it to a shop, $100 bucks or what ever it costs is worth it when your talking about your life. I broke an axle in my chopper and let me tell ya if was flat scary.
 
i would keep practicing and have someone else do it. I think I went through 300 bucks of practice before i was well on my way when i bought my tig.

and as with any welding it just takes lots and lots and lots of stick and wire.
 
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don't be such a girl ...weld some sh1t up ...go out and weld solid doors on your girlfriends car ....take a chance ....and don't fawk up ..that's what i tell the kids
 
I agree with others///have a qualified welder weld this project for you...but as for your welder...find a flat peice of 1/4 in. plate...set the welder up per the manufacturers specs and practice just laying beads...vary your wire speed faster and slower till it makes a nice smooth sound/bead..once to this point play with your amparage up/down and notice what it does as far as penetration and wire speed needs...normally for a beginner you want to go from your hand holding the gun toward your freehand..go slow and smoothly....as far as a good test for strength...once you can weld on flat plate. lay one plate flat, stand another one straight up on it and weld it togeather on just one side..once welded and cooled cut in 1 in strips and clamp one side in a vice and use a hammer or big cresent wrench and bend till it breaks..if it breaks quick and easy..its a weak weld..if you have to work to break it..it is at least a decent weld....also once broken look at the weld ..you should be able to see the weld vrs parent material and have an idea of how good the weld is...most of all it just takes alot of practice...:beer;
 
If you need to ask questions about a critical weld you just should not do it !Find a professional ! Even your life is worth it !:D
 
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