chenzo
Well-known member
So I'm either brave, stupid or both and have now got a shiny new mig welder (clarke 151en gas/no gas) to do some work on the van.
the first and most pressing job is to weld new metal in to the rear side window holes as the small plastic windows the PO fitted are in fact bigger vertically than the triplex I've got hold of to fit (we want the proper full length windows).
I've kept the metal that I cut out from the door and RH side, so hoping as it is already the correct thickness and profile it will fit nicely.
Been practicing my welding on some scrap sheet (last did welding as an apprentice about 18/19 years ago and that was gas and arc) and although I can lay a decentish weld on to a flat sheet, when I try a butt weld with the stuff i cut out from the door, i end up with loads of blow through holes.
I'm using gasless 0.8mm wire at the moment and have tried various power settings but can't get a consistent weld that I would be happy attacking the van with so.....
What wire/gas do you use and any tips?
I'm thinking I need 0.6mm wire and a bottle of argon/co mix to get the best results with thin panels???
Also if I do mess it up is it recoverable?? ie can I then get someone with the skills to sort it out??
the first and most pressing job is to weld new metal in to the rear side window holes as the small plastic windows the PO fitted are in fact bigger vertically than the triplex I've got hold of to fit (we want the proper full length windows).
I've kept the metal that I cut out from the door and RH side, so hoping as it is already the correct thickness and profile it will fit nicely.
Been practicing my welding on some scrap sheet (last did welding as an apprentice about 18/19 years ago and that was gas and arc) and although I can lay a decentish weld on to a flat sheet, when I try a butt weld with the stuff i cut out from the door, i end up with loads of blow through holes.
I'm using gasless 0.8mm wire at the moment and have tried various power settings but can't get a consistent weld that I would be happy attacking the van with so.....
What wire/gas do you use and any tips?
I'm thinking I need 0.6mm wire and a bottle of argon/co mix to get the best results with thin panels???
Also if I do mess it up is it recoverable?? ie can I then get someone with the skills to sort it out??