fabricating, welding, metal work etc

[qikteg]

where can i learn some basics for fabrication and welding and such. i've got an arc welder at home, but never really given it a go... i just want to know what kind of metals are good for making custom mounts and brackets...

is an arc welder sufficient for welding exhaust pipes together?

[V73C]

bro, i do not recommend you to use an arc welder to make engine mounts, as maybe ur welder probably cannot penetrate the weld good enuff, therefore giving u a weak weld, but yes, it can be used for exhaust pipes

if u want to make mounts and all, i suggest maybe a Mig, not a gasless mig, u'll need the one with gas to be able to make the arc hotter so it penetrates well into the metal so u can fuse it properly

[Limbo]

you can TIG weld them but you need more experience cos you need to adjust the setting accordingly. It will not be as pretty as a mig weld but it will work.

Try practicing on some scrap metal. Most exhaust have a scrap bin outside you can get some and practice on that first before you go and wreck the good stuff.

[Drew]

Swing by Honda-Techs - Welding/Fabrication forum

http://www.honda-tech.com/zeroforum/53

Absolutely endless knowledge

[Red_EG4]

Check out your local TAFE, if you have one. They have evening courses on this kind of stuff.

[qikteg]

I'm not sure of the rating on the arc welder. my dad got it from somewhere, and he's used it occasionally for making some brackets... but like furniture or shelf brackets. doesn't look pretty, but then, what exhaust pipes do look pretty?

I'll practice doing some piping. i just want to cheaply rig up my extractors. i've already got a 2" catback, so i figure if i can just buy a flex pipe and hi flow cat, then i mite be able to rig it all up myself.

what would be minimum settings if i wanted to arc weld on exhaust pipes?

[AzKik-R]

I'm not sure of the rating on the arc welder. my dad got it from somewhere, and he's used it occasionally for making some brackets... but like furniture or shelf brackets. doesn't look pretty, but then, what exhaust pipes do look pretty?

I'll practice doing some piping. i just want to cheaply rig up my extractors. i've already got a 2" catback, so i figure if i can just buy a flex pipe and hi flow cat, then i mite be able to rig it all up myself.

what would be minimum settings if i wanted to arc weld on exhaust pipes?

wow, arc weld an exhaust?? turn it down real low!!! lol you'll blow a hole right thru it.
i think its recommended you go tig or mig when welding your exhausts, because the metal is quite thin.

[JohnL]

wow, arc weld an exhaust?? turn it down real low!!! lol you'll blow a hole right thru it.
i think its recommended you go tig or mig when welding your exhausts, because the metal is quite thin.

X2. For fabricating pipes etc MIG or TIG would be fine, but personally I'd tend toward using oxy-acetyline. Oxy-acetyline welding is very controllable and gives a good ductile weld (i.e not at all brittle), though in some applications the heat soak isn't a good thing.

I'm not a big MIG fan, though they're easy to use and can give great looking results. MIG welds can be on the brittle side compared to ARC welds, though I hear this problem isn't as great with newer MIG technology. I'd imagine TIG is a bit the same as MIG in this respect, but I don't really know. My understanding is that MIG was invented for fast production welding with less skilled operators and where ultimate strength wasn't a major concern.

An arc welder is ideal for welding brackets etc, and with practice the welds will have good penetration and look great (though some people never seem to get the hang of it, it's not nearly as easy as MIG).

qikteg,
I think you should go to the library and find some books on basic welding techniques, then get some scrap and start practicing.

[B16bcivic]

Damns I never knew yous people know such things about weldings and all too hahaha, I feel so noobie. I am a noob haha