Does anyone know about arc welding? I want to re do my floor boards, put new pieces i want to do it myself to save alot of money. I saw this type of welder at a web site for sale. Anyone have experience with this type of welding?
thanks
frank

I've used both types for 12 years in the truck/trailer repair industry. I don't think I've ever tried to weld anything that thin with arc. I really don't think you have any luck.

I bought a 135 amp lincoln mig for home for under 500 and its perfect for floors and such. (go with the gas--mig--not just the wire type) Arc welders are more for frames and thicker metal. Thats not to say a mig cant weld thick metal but for the weekend warrior the large amp mig would be too pricy.

JMO chris

Arc welding is a big subject. Many types of machines for it. See if there is a community college or adult school nearby where you can take a class or two to see if its worth the trouble of getting the equipment and learning how to use it. Or just go to the local library and ask the staff to help you find the book you need. You will have a fair amount of time and money invested before you can do quality welding on automotive sheet metal.

My $0.02

Chris thanks for the reply, would you say its difficult for a first timer welder to do this? If so how bad can i mess it up? It seems easy enough to jig out my old floor, its practically crumbing to pieces anyway, and lay in the two new floor boards. Is using a mig difficult, messy, or dangerous? I know some suggest to have someone else do it, but i love doing as much as i can myself, for the simple reason, YOU will take the most care and pay attention to detail, unless you know someone who can do it.
frank

If you get a mig just get some scrap close to the thickness of the floor clean it up and practice practice. I won't go into all the safety issues, but use a decent helmet eye burns are terrible. Before you start look around for flamables. Keep in mind where the you store flamables in the garage.

After welding in the garage I like to stay in the area to make sure there isnt anything smoldering a spark may have landed on.

The owners manual should cover other issues.

Look out for others while your welding..I welded aluminum floor in the interior of a refrigerated trailer at the front. A co-worker was at the rear repairing the bumper and he recieved welding burns to the eye just from the reflection off the walls.

Do a search in this section on "mig welders" before you buy..

Chris

Thanks again, Im considering a mig welder. Is it possible to weld laying on your back in a garage, with the car on jacks as high as i can go? Im pretty sure you have to weld from the interior and exterior of the floor pans right?

Frank66, you can weld overhead but if your not wearing welding leathers your skin will hate you for it...

I welded mine from the top and as long as you get good penetration no need to weld from underneath...in fact it should penetrate enough so you will need to grind the underside smooth.

Remember welding is like a good date...it's all about penetration http://www.chevelles.com/forum/eek.gif

Chris

Great! I think i got it.
MIG + Gas + Practice + From the top + good penetration + leather if underneath = she'll be happy!
frank

I am still LOL from Cris,s anolgy.
but welding overhead like making woop-ie takes ALOT of practice.
Look in the arcives for pan replacement and perform it missionary style.

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Wayne
ACES# 1556
TCG # 186

First let me say given a choice, get the mig, but it is possible to arc weld thin stock. Low amperage, preferably dc, 1/16" rods (keep your gaps close since you won't have much fill stock)and practice pracitce practice.

When I was a kid my dad made me practice by welding tin cans. When I could scratch an arc and run a bead without blowing holes he let me help him do sheet metal repairs to an old m38a1 jeep we had.

Another thing which is important with whichever type of welder you use, keep your beads short, no more than 1/2 to 3/4" at a time and allow the area to cool. You can jump around on the seam by going from the end to the middle to the other end and back but let it cool completely between rotations so the seams won't warp. Something else I've read here which is reported to work well is to hold some copper behind the weld as you go to serve as a heat sink.

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Rod

67 396
SS clone

Daddy's Red Car (http://www.geocities.com/rthlc/index)

what is the most variable part of good penetration from the top? is it having proper settings, or how long you weld at a particular area? I havent bought the mig yet, but cant you tell if you go to far, can you see a hole starting to form? I bought the pans yesterday, the full length, it looks like they rest from the top, When i cut out the old floor, how much overlap do you need, and does the bead lay along the overlap, or on top of the new piece?
...probably when i practice these Q's will be answered....
thanks, frank