seam welding chassis

[clbanman]

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/dynasty_200_series/

This one's more money, but still portable and with AC and DC tig output.

Based on this eBay listing I would assume the street price is lower than list price:
click here

[blkboostedtruck]

ahhh i got a welder in the garage simular to to one above and i never realized it could do TIG! all i need are the attachments! SWEET!! im in buisness now! i've been wanting to weld aluminum!
thanks Duane

Those little inverter welders are usually DC only, so TIG welding of aluminum isn't possible, steel/stainless only. For aluminum you'll need an AC power supply and a high frequency unit.

 yep your right! Quick TD i just looked at the one i got and i can only DC tig with it!
 well atleast i can TIG though!
 I have an argon tank a gage w/regulator all i need is the tig wand and hose!
 and i can do my stainless exausts!

 Zulfigar i gotta ask? are you near the war that going on? if you know where Binladin is at? i'm sure there is a reward for him? not a serious question just curious though?
thanks Duane

[Zulfiqar]

yeah Iraq is like 2 countries eastwards. been there a few times too - when there was no war i.e.

Binladen - when I get my hands on him Im gonna make him remove an mk2 starter without jacking the engine

[rallydiesel]

lol, mk2 humour.

[blkboostedtruck]

yeah Iraq is like 2 countries eastwards. been there a few times too - when there was no war i.e.

Binladen - when I get my hands on him Im gonna make him remove an mk2 starter without jacking the engine

 HA HA you know you could cash him in to the US and have someone change your starter in what ever country you want? plus he might get an RPG stuck in your front end in place of a metric wrench? OUCH!! :lol:
thanks Duane

[BlackTieTD]

i dunno what you guys are talking about i don't see much on seam welding.  :lol: i have some scans at home of VW motorsport's rally-prep for mkI chassis, including some on seam welding. i will try to find it for you.

as far as seam welding, people who know tend to say that if you strengthen one area, the forces will just be transferred to the next weakest link... so it tends to be an all or nothing type of deal if you want to do it right.

some people have selectively seam welded their cars though and report good results.

i have done neither so i don't really know... other than the stiffer the chassis the better.

[clbanman]

Not seam welding, but to stiffen a chassis this might work more easily from a DIY standpoint, and take less time. http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/projectcars/0006scc_project_nissan_300zx_part_5/index.html Go to the last part of the article.

http://www.foamseal.org/auto_aftermarket.htm

[smutts]

Foamed box sections?
Jaguar did this in the early 70's on the early XJ6's. Pour expanding polyuerethane (or was it cynoacrilate?) foam into the hollow box sections. Probably to absorb vibrations rather than to strengthen. That foam also absorbed damp. Those things rotted faster than carrots. That is probably why no car maker does it now.
If you do want to give a home to damp and salt, try a boatyard as this stuff is used for adding flotation. Sold in two seperate gallon cans, A&B.
Just mix A with B, wait 4 seconds, gets hot and expands, LOTS!
Locally a cuckolded boatwright couldn't find his rival, finds rival's BMW, pours in a couple of gallons through the sunroof. The pictures of the aftermath were genius.  :twisted:

[clbanman]

Actually if you read the whole article, they note that this is low expansion, as high expansion can actually distort the framerails.  It is also closed cell, so that it wouldn't hold moisture.  I have a car that had a similar product all over the bottom of the chassis (no idea why- possibly noise reduction or "undercoating").  When I bought it I was afraid that it would have lots of hidden rust, but because it is closed cell, when I  cleared down to the base metal, it looked like the day it rolled off the assembly line.  This product is not the same as the home insulation high-expansion foam.

[rallydiesel]

The 'tex has some good discussions on seam welding. Main thing is to remove the sealer in between the seams or else the welds will suck. Also, don't do a continuous weld. Weld 1", skip 1". It's called stitch welding. Personally, I think reinforcing the frame on a Mk2 can only be a good thing seeing as how much they flex.

[hillfolk'r]

im in the process right now besides custom firewall



my miller 135 is great
so is the plasma cutter

i was told: weekend warrior,get a lincoln(junk)
serious DIY,or pro,get a miller