Welding in tight spots...

[skipnrocks]

Is there a trick i welding in tight spots, I remember it being easier with a stick than mig but I dont have a stick anymore...   But for example your welding shock tabs on the rig you get them tacked on, is there a good trick for getting in the inside,  Up till now I weld one tab on inside and out and then tack the other in place and weld the crap out of the outside, then I do what I can on the inside.....   Just curious if you guys have any other tricks for getting into those tight spots?

[Hammerhead]

I do them the same way you do.  I don't kill myself to get a full weld inside the second tab.  I just make sure to get the weld wrapped around the end of the tab and heading inside as far as I can and call it good.

[Duffil]

they make this for mig guns to help with that.




full writeup:
http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/508328

[skipnrocks]

they make this for mig guns to help with that.




full writeup:
http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/508328

Thats cool,  I dont know that it would help with tabs since it really needs a bit of an angle real close to the end of the gun, but i dont know if thats possable cause wire can only feed as so many angles..

[Duffil]

another thing, and you can't really do it with MIG, but it works with flux is to run a little more "stickout" on the wire...an inch or so, to get it in where you need it.

[skipnrocks]

another thing, and you can't really do it with MIG, but it works with flux is to run a little more "stickout" on the wire...an inch or so, to get it in where you need it.

Thats a good Idea, I do stick out sometimes but with the gas it doent always get a clean weld, but I do keep a little role of flux core on hand, I will have to use that next time... The only place that has been too tight thus far is the tabs for the shocks ther rest there has been plenty of room...

[*** YELLER ***]

If yer gonna use a stick just bend the rod and hope you can see where yer gonna weld or at least have an idea of where yer gonna weld 


If yer gonna use a wire feed take the tip off and be careful you can get into tighter spots without the tip just be careful the little sucker will ark if ya hit it against something you dont wanna weld

[Duffil]

If yer gonna use a stick just bend the rod and hope you can see where yer gonna weld or at least have an idea of where yer gonna weld 


If yer gonna use a wire feed take the tip off and be careful you can get into tighter spots without the tip just be careful the little sucker will ark if ya hit it against something you dont wanna weld

that won't work with gas though...flux core OK, but not MIG.

[skipnrocks]

If yer gonna use a stick just bend the rod and hope you can see where yer gonna weld or at least have an idea of where yer gonna weld 


If yer gonna use a wire feed take the tip off and be careful you can get into tighter spots without the tip just be careful the little sucker will ark if ya hit it against something you dont wanna weld

Both good ideas,  I like the idea of taking the tip off,  and using a flux core wire....  I knew you were handy dave!! 

By the way where have ya been, off wheelin skittles new and improved ride no doubt... Good to see ya roaming agian...

[Duffil]

a been, off wheelin skittles new and improved ride no doubt... Good to see ya roaming agian...

yeah right...he's been at home just chillin

[yotaboy79]

a tig with a stubby collet body

[*** YELLER ***]

yeah right...he's been at home just chillin

[Hammerhead]

Tig works with a reduced cup if you have one...

If you are going with the flux core method just remove the nozzle and slip a piece of hose over the tip to keep it from arcing.

I have a lathe so I made a small focused cup like used on tigs and it helps  for long stick out situations

[skipnrocks]

Sounds handy,  thats some small work with a laithe

[Hammerhead]

Lathe work is fun

Dang handy tool in the shop too

[Hyena]

We just got one of these at work.  pretty cool little thing.

[Doof]

how does that flex tip work?

to me it would seem to pain in the  to hold that and move it while doing your reg welding, or it would put you in a damn awkward position if your trying to get around your shock tower and over your tire. not much room to begin with and to put another arm in there would cramp a cramped space

[skipnrocks]

how does that flex tip work?

to me it would seem to pain in the  to hold that and move it while doing your reg welding, or it would put you in a damn awkward position if your trying to get around your shock tower and over your tire. not much room to begin with and to put another arm in there would cramp a cramped space

I could see that tip being usefull during situations, but I wish it was thinner and flexed at the tip rather than the neck, then you could weld tight places around a cage  and stuff...

[Hyena]

You don't move it while you weld.  you move it into postion and then weld.  it isn't really made for tight spots.

[Doof]

o... that pic makes it look flexy