How hard is mig welding?

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How hard is mig welding?

Post by Xaccers »

The front left drivers seat nut has broken free and taken a section of floor with it.
The local welder that sorted one of my other cars said the plates they use aren't thick enough (unfortunately the young lad who did a top notch job before isn't there anymore)

So how hard is mig welding?
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Re: How hard is mig welding?

Post by evilally »

One of the benefits of MIG is that it is generally regarded as being the easier of the available methods to pick up and ideal for DIY car repair. I think with about an hour of practise you should get the broad strokes of it, but it is something that you could spend a lifetime mastering. Surface preparation is of the highest importance with MIG and is the time consuming part. It's also an easy way to lose your eyesight if you aren't very careful!

If it's for one or two repairs then it's an expensive way to go given the cost of a decent welder, safety gear and consumables, unless you can borrow what you need.

I started off with this website:

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: How hard is mig welding?

Post by citronut »

if you understand what a weld should be like, ie basically fusing the metal together,

i think you should pick up the basic idea in around half an hour of playing with scraps of metal,

its the finer art that you pick up with time, ie dersh ( 2CV welding ),

also mind the grinder sparks are not aimed towards any of the glass were ( windows/screens, as each spark is a hot speck of metal which will embed its self into any glass,
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Post by addo »

I would have it TIG welded, seat mounts are designed to fail progressively (like door hinges); deform, tear, separate. Overfix or embrittle it and the result may be a weld repair that pops like a cork under a lesser load than would normally be required for complete separation. This results in less points carrying the spread stresses of an impact, so more uncharacteristic failures are possible.
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Re: How hard is mig welding?

Post by RichardW »

You're probably right Addo, but the original was probably only spotwelded in, and there are 3 others to go at. Isn't Santa bringing Jim a MIG for Christmas, Xac? Ideal starter project... :) I'd use a big patch with a good number of smaller welds around the edge to spread the load.
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Re: How hard is mig welding?

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and mind that Scottish infliction ARK EYE THE NOOOOOOO :roll: :rofl2: :wink:

C U Jimmy, or should that be C U at Jmmies ( citrojims ), after he has opened his Crimbo presy's that is
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Re: How hard is mig welding?

Post by Xaccers »

RichardW wrote:You're probably right Addo, but the original was probably only spotwelded in, and there are 3 others to go at. Isn't Santa bringing Jim a MIG for Christmas, Xac? Ideal starter project... :) I'd use a big patch with a good number of smaller welds around the edge to spread the load.
Ooo maybe if I try and bribe him with biscuits, oh better idea! Get Danielle to do some duck breasts for lunch :)
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Re: How hard is mig welding?

Post by CitroJim »

'Tis true that Santa is bringing me a MIG for Christmas. Hope he gets it right and brings a welder and not an old Soviet fighter aircraft..

Xac, in my humble the area to weld in your case is quite a skilled job and some heavy practice is needed. Also all carpets have to come out and anything flammable or meltable moved well away..

We will discuss in the fullness of time but basically until I'm well practised I won't go near it... I'd also like to practice on a scrapper first...

I'm sure it can be arranged...
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Re: How hard is mig welding?

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Aw come on Jim, where's your sense of adventure? A MIG jet would be awesome! :D
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Re: How hard is mig welding?

Post by CitroJim »

Xac wrote:Aw come on Jim, where's your sense of adventure? A MIG jet would be awesome! :D
Indeed it would. Great for going to work in...

Parking would be an issue though..... :lol:
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Re: How hard is mig welding?

Post by Xaccers »

CitroJim wrote:
Xac wrote:Aw come on Jim, where's your sense of adventure? A MIG jet would be awesome! :D
Indeed it would. Great for going to work in...

Parking would be an issue though..... :lol:
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Re: How hard is mig welding?

Post by myglaren »

Xac wrote:
Tailgaters would think twice...
Image
Afterburners on :)
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Re: How hard is mig welding?

Post by RichardW »

:rofl2: :-D

If you haven't already got one, get one of these too, Jim: http://www.ten-uk.com/true-fusionhelme.html Makes life sooooo much easier! Not sure of the exact anatomy of that part of the car, but chopping the bit out of a scrap car might be the easiest to give a neat strong re repair (the original obviously not being that good!). If you can stick or gas weld, then I'm sure you will find MIG pretty easy - just need to learn how to set the wire feed / voltage to give the best result. Trouble is, you really need to test it on the work piece to get it right, otherwise you find yourself welding the wire to the tip or blowing holes everywhere. With a bit of practice you can pretty well judge the settings required. What unit did you go for? Mine has 4 voltages - and these are pretty closely aligned to the thickness of the metal being welded in mm, and wire speed adjusts from about 5 at lowest to 9 at highest, so they pretty well align too. Simples.... :lol: If you want some practice, I've got a pile of rust that used to be a Visa that would be pleased to accomodate you :lol: :P
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Re: How hard is mig welding?

Post by Xaccers »

RichardW wrote::rofl2: :-D

If you haven't already got one, get one of these too, Jim: http://www.ten-uk.com/true-fusionhelme.html
Those masks alone make me want to take up welding!
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Post by addo »

Instantly made me think of Daft Punk.
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