Welding Methods for Chassis

[acra]

Hi guys, I've got another pre-pre-plan stage question. I'm set in the idea of taking on the challenge of welding my own chassis (cutting material and welding), and wondering what method would be best to use before I get started on a course.

Basically, from what I can gather there are two methods that would be in my price range: MIG and Stick.
TIG from what I can gather is too expensive for a single build, and brazing techniques are inadequate unless using bronze brazing (expensive).

Stick is something I can learn cheaper, as I have a relative who is willing to teach it, plus lend the welder.
MIG, from what I can gather is more reliable/easier to get a good penetration weld.

Is it still possible/safe etc to use Stick to weld a chassis?
Last thing I'd want is to have a weld destroy itself mid corner, but if it's just a matter of getting more training, I'm willing to spend the extra time to get it right.

Since I'm still in my apprenticeship, the actual build is potentially not happening for another two years, so that's potentially two years of practice welds and training to get on with!

[big_wasa]

Get hold of the best mig you can. You want around 150A and to be fan cooled.

MMA or stick welding is not easy for 1.5mm thick steel.

You can teach yourself with some offcuts and some practise. There are plenty on here and lcb that will give you pointers if you post the pics and some may even give you an hour or so of ther time and show you.

[acra]

Originally Posted by big_wasa

Get hold of the best mig you can. You want around 150A and to be fan cooled.

MMA or stick welding is not easy for 1.5mm thick steel.

You can teach yourself with some offcuts and some practise. There are plenty on here and lcb that will give you pointers if you post the pics and some may even give you an hour or so of ther time and show you.

I thought that's probably the best way to go...
Only reason really I'd go Stick is that my Granddad is willing to teach me, and what with his experience I'd really gain from it - he was a Royal Engineer, then set up his own large fabrication business, so definitely one to learn from!

Though I've not actually asked yet if he could teach me MIG, so I may have to chat with him this weekend...

Apologies if posting links is frowned upon, I have no affiliations - but is this a recommended/suitable choice? This

[Trif]

I cut and welded my chassis using a a metal cutting bandsaw and mig. I'd never used a mig before, but having talked to welder friends I was convinced that it wasn't too difficult to learn. I bought a 150A fan cooled machine and sat down one weekend with a pile of 1" box off cuts and by the end I'd cracked it. The one thing I found that helped more than anything else was an auto darken visor, it was worth every penny. The metal cutting band saw was from a previous project and made the cutting of the parts a doddle. Accurate angles and lengths made the assembly and tacking fairly straightforward. The finish welding caused a few backtracks but the finished chassis came out to the mm thanks to the excellent cutting list in the book.

[acra]

Originally Posted by Trif

I cut and welded my chassis using a a metal cutting bandsaw and mig. I'd never used a mig before, but having talked to welder friends I was convinced that it wasn't too difficult to learn. I bought a 150A fan cooled machine and sat down one weekend with a pile of 1" box off cuts and by the end I'd cracked it. The one thing I found that helped more than anything else was an auto darken visor, it was worth every penny. The metal cutting band saw was from a previous project and made the cutting of the parts a doddle. Accurate angles and lengths made the assembly and tacking fairly straightforward. The finish welding caused a few backtracks but the finished chassis came out to the mm thanks to the excellent cutting list in the book.

I remember having a go with all the welding techniques in school - my favourite was TIG, I was pretty bad at the other two
But practice should help! And naturally I'm not gonna take on the task without being sure I'm good enough.

I used an autodarken mask, and a regular one (as well as one of them old style hand held ones (!)) and definitely loved the autodarken!

[Trif]

sounds like your starting from a better level than I was at, go for it, it's part of the fun!

[7even]

Hi all

so this wont be any good then ??

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers...uys3_15678.htm

I have built a GBS Zero and enjoyed it sooo much...

Now I want another challenge

Many thanks Mike

[frankieboy]

Have a look on www.mig-welding.co.uk ,i found this very helpful

[acra]

7even, I'd be dubious about that welder you've found - from Aldi with what looks like too good to be true...
I'd replace the mask anyways, I've had a tiny bit of experience with hand-held, regular head fit and auto-darken, and found auto-darken to lead the field by a huge amount!

To everyone else - has anyone actually welded the chassis with Arc/Stick? I'm expecting to spend a year and a half training before I can actually afford the donor etc, so it'll be about that long before I start the chassis, so I will definitely have ample training.

If it's possible to use stick, just easier to Mig/Tig, that doesn't matter too much as I'm having top-notch training...

[acra]

Hi guys, just resurrecting my old thread! I've still not yet got down to getting a welder and learning a technique due to other commitments.

I'd be interested in hearing if anyone here has actually used MMA to weld their chassis? I'm still tempted to go down that route, mainly for cost reasons but as mentioned previously in this thread I have relatives with experience willing to tutor me!

The book doesn't really mention much on MMA welding, but has anyone tried it on their roadster??

Many thanks!