Welding question?

[scarboy]

For you guys who have welded on your frame. What type of welder have you used? ARC, MIG, OR TIG? I need to know b/c I am about to get serious with my truck. Thanks in advance, CHRIS

[reklund5]

Millermatic 210 MIG welder. 

Whatever you do, get your frame down to bare metal before you weld on it.  And watch for wiring/brake/fuel lines.

Ryan

[To The Floor]

mig is the fastest and easiest way.  tig is very tedious but the strongest.  and stick, well use it if you can't get ahold of a mig or tig.  it is going to be plenty strong if you run 6010 or 7018 electrode.  i'd most likely say mig, unless you want the ultimate in appearance then go with tig but you must make sure that gaps in tube, or spring hangers and such are very tight.

[79coyotefrg]

mig is the fastest and easiest way.  tig is very tedious but the strongest.  and stick, well use it if you can't get ahold of a mig or tig.  it is going to be plenty strong if you run 6010 or 7018 electrode.  i'd most likely say mig, unless you want the ultimate in appearance then go with tig but you must make sure that gaps in tube, or spring hangers and such are very tight.

both of those rods require a very clean  enviroment,  6011  would be my choice around 70 amps,  6011  runs cooler and provides a good weld thru mild rust or paint  and wont cause cracking of the material around it

[BLACKDOG]

So in terms of strength,  the order goes

1 TIG
2 MIG
3 Stick

?? 

why? 

[abnormaltoy]

mig is the fastest and easiest way.  tig is very tedious but the strongest.  and stick, well use it if you can't get ahold of a mig or tig.  it is going to be plenty strong if you run 6010 or 7018 electrode.  i'd most likely say mig, unless you want the ultimate in appearance then go with tig but you must make sure that gaps in tube, or spring hangers and such are very tight.

I don't know that TIG is really the strongest. It does give you more control over the heat. But a weld with good penetration is a good weld no matter what.
I've used MIG on mine.

[TrikeKid]

SMAW (arc) with 7018 rod.

[bjwest]

use what you have or what you know how to use. if you dont know how to weld mig is easyest to use.

[79coyotefrg]

SMAW (arc) with 7018 rod.

      7018= hi heat= cracked frame / distortion


6011  -  low heat,  deep penetration ,can be used thru rust and paint,   designed for field repairs     what else you need to know

[TrikeKid]

      7018= hi heat= cracked frame / distortion


6011  -  low heat,  deep penetration ,can be used thru rust and paint,   designed for field repairs     what else you need to know

Gee, then how come my dad, who's been welding for 30 years (including a few years as a professional) recomended it?

[synwars]

I have a Miller AC/DC buzz box that I use with 7018 rods. I prefer DC, more consistent arc, less spatter, deeper penetration, burns nice and hot.

Gee, then how come my dad, who's been welding for 30 years (including a few years as a professional) recomended it?

I've used and am continuing to use 7018 AC & DC on all my booger welding jobs and none have ever cracked the welds or frame. Shock mounts, hangers, crossmembers, frame repairs, and my most recent project - inboarding of the frame...

One thing I have heard to relieve tension on the frame when welding hot is to wack it with a hammer repeatedly immediately after a pass. I have been told that this can help prevent cracking and distortion. Is this true?

A weld with good penetration is a good weld no matter what.

I agree with this statement. Mig/Tig/Arc, as long as it is done right can be just as strong as the other. With a few exceptions of course...

[abnormaltoy]

One thing I have heard to relieve tension on the frame when welding hot is to wack it with a hammer repeatedly immediately after a pass. I have been told that this can help prevent cracking and distortion. Is this true?

I've heard that, but in regard to cast iron. I don't know if it would help steel...but I can't see it hurting.
Mark

[79coyotefrg]

Gee, then how come my dad, who's been welding for 30 years (including a few years as a professional) recomended it?

maybe because he has a industrial machine and is welding on clean new unpainted material

and i assumed we were talking about your average guy in his garage at home, not a profeesional welder in his shop with 440volt 3 phase wiring 

dont get me wrong, 7018 is a good rod,  but it doesnt like a dirty enviroment,  such as welding a backhoe bucket in the field,  or repairing a tailgate on a dump truck on the side of the highway

when building ,oh say , a brush rake for a D6 Cat,   in the shop i would use a 11018 rod and about 220 amps DC