Posted by Steve Fay on April 15, 1999 at 07:31:11:
In Reply to: Re: Frame welding trciks.... posted by Bob C. on April 14, 1999 at 07:09:28:
Well Bob here comes my 2cents worth...First off
winget is right about changing the hardness but
you can recorrect that by controling the heat which
winget has alluded to with the wet rags (known as a
heat sink)..Also correctly noted was the use of the
mig welder....and his advise on the technique
(known as pitch and run) {Pitch= the length of space
interval taken from the center of the first weld to the center
of the next.. Run (or Lenght)= is the weld deposit}
not getting into what winget already stated but to expand
on your question...USE The mig and use .023 mild steel wire
once you have everything fitted and are ready to weld
follow winget's advise on the "stitch" method.
Start the weld from the center of the repair and
work outwards..take your time also place the wet rags
about one inch away from where you will finish
each bead....this will keep the hardness characteristics
pretty much intact. Theory on welding parallel to
the rail is somewhat correct when using "stick"
electrodes but there are a lot of parameters
involved...the higher the tensile strength
of the electrode..the less ductility (twisting and bending).
With a mild steel mig wire of say Hobart HB-25
ER70S-3, used in auto frame rail applications,
you should have no problems welding out of position.
Again the biggest concern is heat control...
Take your time and you'll be fine..
Good luck Steve <:-)