More Welding on the Merc

RalphG

RalphG

Well-known member
Did a little more welding on the floor of the 53 using some heavier sheet metal. Still hard to make a nice looking job with the arc welder. Low amps to avoid burn through but makes it hard to hold an arc. Got it done though. It might be all for nothing if I don't get the flathead unseized and running but I'm still hopeful. Getting some acetone to mix with ATF tomorrow and let that soak for a bit.
https://youtu.be/NR4gR7ep6CY
 
Johnnydidd said:
Ralph, use a 6011 welding rod it is made for rusty nasty metal, works very well
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I was using a 6011 rod but find they are more prone to burn through than a 7014 so its always a bit of a compromise. On another forum it was suggested I use a thinner rod than the 1/8 rods I have been using. Better choice for this sheet metal job. I'm going to try that.
 
RalphG said:
I was using a 6011 rod but find they are more prone to burn through than a 7014 so its always a bit of a compromise. On another forum it was suggested I use a thinner rod than the 1/8 rods I have been using. Better choice for this sheet metal job. I'm going to try that.
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Long before MIG was available for general use, the 7014-1/16" rod was what we used to weld sheet metal.
Sometimes if necessary we would use suitable sized copper blocks/sheets to place in the weld area (behind or next) to the weld area to act as a heat sink.
 
Do yourself a favour, Ralph, buy yourself a mig welder.

I bought mine 20 years ago and never regretted it for one minute.

Mart.
 
Heck, you could buy a nice little Hobart 140, use it for this job and sell it when you are done for close to what paid for it.
 
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rich b said:
Heck, you could buy a nice little Hobart 140, use it for this job and sell it when you are done for close to what paid for it.
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You mean like this little Power fist that is on sale here right now? I've been warned by many to not waste my time on the mini migs but I'm still curious as to why they would not work for the little bit of sheet metal welding I have to do. https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/minimig-130e-wire-feed-welder/A-p8538894e;jsessionid=fut6KmguKC15n7An03-JQYlu.pal-prod-com1
 
As long as you run them with gas many of the mini migs will work great. I had a Century 110V that right out of the box would weld holes and anything else in sheetmetal without burning through and I knew almost nothing about welding.
 
Ralph: I have a Harbor Freight 90 wire fed welder, I have trouble blowing through sheet metal unless I back it up with a copper spoon. I once make a stick welder with some coiled Nichome wire and asbestos board:eek:. Things you do when you a teenager.
 
The Mini mig 130 power fist in the ad is a flux core welder so it should weld car floors without gas. I really don't want to get into that hassle of tanks and regulators. The reviews are good on this one. Its tempting. All I need it to do is thin sheet metal. Still got the big old 180 amp stick welder for the heavier metals.
 
RalphG said:
You mean like this little Power fist that is on sale here right now? I've been warned by many to not waste my time on the mini migs but I'm still curious as to why they would not work for the little bit of sheet metal welding I have to do.
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Nothing wrong with something like that flux-core welder if you accept the spatter.
If you had to do something thicker, that can be addressed by chamfering or pre-heating the weld area.
 
Using the gas is worth the extra hassle. That said, I've no experience of flux core.

Mart.
 
A problem with those off-brand welders is future product support. Maybe you save money now; but double down when you have to replace a welder later, due parts availability.
 
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