Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: JDX on 30 June 2017, 19:38:00
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I'm looking to learn how to weld. Never done it before.
I don't really want to sign up for a college course because it'll be impossible to fit around my very demanding work.
(Demanding in the sense that they love to mess my hours & shifts around without notice.
The motivation is because I have purchased a motorbike & I want to redesign it which will involve cutting & welding a new part of the frame. The bike is an old Suzuki, with a steel frame.
Does anyone have the time or inclination to teach me a thing or two? ;D
Ideally, not a zillion miles from north Essex / Suffolk area.
Cheers, JD
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Do you have a preference?
mig or tig
I like stick welding, easy to learn and can be pretty tidy, no need for argon
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My son-in-law is a pretty good (amateur) welder, but there are two problems; firsly, he is a pretty busy teacher, living in Witham and travelling to the school in Dagenham, so his time is limited and secodly, he is building a pergola at his house in Turkey - so that's where his welding gear is!
Now, if you can't find anyone else to help and you aren't in a hurry, I will ask him if he is up for it?
Ron.
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Do you have a preference?
mig or tig
I like stick welding, easy to learn and can be pretty tidy, no need for argon
I will have to get back to you on that one ??? I did say I was new to it ( ..or is that it to me! )
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My son-in-law is a pretty good (amateur) welder, but there are two problems; firsly, he is a pretty busy teacher, living in Witham and travelling to the school in Dagenham, so his time is limited and secodly, he is building a pergola at his house in Turkey - so that's where his welding gear is!
Now, if you can't find anyone else to help and you aren't in a hurry, I will ask him if he is up for it?
Ron.
Much appreciated Ron, he is certainly close enough in Witham, not sure about Turkey though!
No, I'm not in such a hurry, probably best not to rush something like welding eh?
I will let you know if I manage to find someone in the meantime.
Cheers.... JD
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I taught myself. Bought a MIG welder, a book about welding, some sheet metal and had a play.
Now I have a classic Yank car with fewer rust holes than when I started, and a new skill!
I'm not a master by any means, but can weld neatly and rather enjoy it.
Lots of help on youtube and forums too if you get stuck.
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Clarke 135TE welder, lots of bits of old scrap metal, and just play. Then play. And play some more. Cut through your welds to check penetration. And then play some more.
It will take an awful lot of practice to be anywhere good enough to consider doing the frame.
I am only confident doing fresh metal that's reasonably thick. I'm still not confident enough to do, say, sills etc.
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Welding a motorcycle frame is a job for an expert. A cracked weld some time in the future doesn't bear thinking about.
I have the welder mentioned above, and have sort of learned how to use it. Despite being only 2 miles from the op, I wouldn't touch the job with a barge pole.
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I have to agree with Albs .
I've been using a Mig for many years now and can only echo that a MC frame needs to be welded by someone who is very good .
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And I have a Clarke 135TE going for sale if you want it :y
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Well, thanks to everyone for all the replies.
A lot to think about.....
I will do some more research.....
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do try and do a course if you can. i made my car ramps with a mig on my course and i trust my life to them. they are greatly over spec'd for strength mind unlike a motorbike frame.
now have a mig, tig, arc welder and plasma cutter, the last three being one machine. i only weld thick steel though wouldn't attempt a car panel
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What type of Suzuki have you got JD ?
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Hi. I agree to what everybody has said above,especialy the need to become realy confident in your abilities before welding items like motorcycle frames.best to do what probably most people on here have done.buy yourself a clarke mig welder and have a play. It does take time to master getting good flow and penetration with thick metal and also to master thin metal like bodywork or exhausts.a welding course would work but so would experimenting with stuff at home .watching a good few youtube videos wont go amiss either.
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And I have a Clarke 135TE going for sale if you want it :y
how much you looking for Webby :y
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Pm sent mate :y
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Personally I'd stick with stick welders if a beginner or not intending to go on a course etc - you buy electrodes to suit what you're welding and turn it up or down
I bought an ACDC tig welder a few weeks ago having only ever done stick, getting the hang of exhaust pipe now after practicing on sheet without filler, with filler, thicker stuff, then sheet and exhaust pipe - still wouldn't say I was good haha! - There are a lot of variables: different thickness filler rods, tungsten grinding, gas coverage, heat, pulse for heating/cooling
Thanks
Alex
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Blimey, my head is spinning - there is so much to take in.. ::)
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I have a mate in Hedingham who is brilliant with anything to do with bikes and pretty good with a welder.
The problem is trying to get hold of him, and then hoping he is sober, as he likes a pint of cider or two twelve. ::) ;D
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A welder who likes a drink Albs? :-\
Hmmn, interesting & dangerous combo.....handy he is so local though...
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Take a look here:
www.mig-welding.co.uk
I would advise MIG for hobby/home use as its very universal and good for thin and thicker stuff.
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Ooh that looks like a useful site. Gone straight in my favourites. :y
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Take a look here:
www.mig-welding.co.uk (http://www.mig-welding.co.uk)
I would advise MIG for hobby/home use as its very universal and good for thin and thicker stuff.
This.
There isn't anything on a car you would choose to stickweld.
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This.
There isn't anything on a car you would choose to stickweld.
What about on a Defender? ;) ;D
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This.
There isn't anything on a car you would choose to stickweld.
What about on a Defender? ;) ;D
Still Mig. its easier to fill the holes you will keep blowing in the chassis as you hit yet another patch of rust :y
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This.
There isn't anything on a car you would choose to stickweld.
What about on a Defender? ;) ;D
Still Mig. its easier to fill the holes you will keep blowing in the chassis as you hit yet another patch of rust :y
;D ;D ;D
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This.
There isn't anything on a car you would choose to stickweld.
What about on a Defender? ;) ;D
Still Mig. its easier to fill the holes you will keep blowing in the chassis as you hit yet another patch of rust :y
And I think the same applies to most of the pre-millennium designed Vauxhalls ;D. Rust proofing? That's for poofs!
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Poofs!! It's been a while since I've heard that....
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Take a look here:
www.mig-welding.co.uk
I would advise MIG for hobby/home use as its very universal and good for thin and thicker stuff.
Very useful....thanks for that :y
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I taught myself with the help of here, the mig forum, YouTube and the internet.
However don't expect to become an expert in a day. I'm not going to lie. One day my welds will be awesome. The next day it won't flow and will be like turtle shite.
On these forums I see everyone saying it's easy. I don't think it is. But see how you get on 👍
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On these forums I see everyone saying it's easy. I don't think it is. But see how you get on 👍
Its practice. More practice. Yet more practice. And then more practice. The more you do it, and the more frequently you do it, the better it gets.
I'm at the stage where fresh, new metal of reasonable thickness, I can get acceptable results. Sometimes really neat, sometimes a bit blobby.
I wouldn't dream of doing a motorbike frame (but have made a unique kind of trike with my old neighbour, where the rear wheels are like large rotating castors (off the front of a wheelchair), which is a lot of fun riding down the slight slope on my road - guaranteed to end in an accident).