Rear axle spring perch welds....

[blthomas]

I know several of you have more welding experience than me, so I posted pics of my perch re-weld for criticism.

I used a small welder, turned up all the way, and a slightly slower wire speed than the book called for. Figured I could slow the puddle to get more heat/penetration.

I wish I had pics of where the other dude had welded them. One 1/2 pass on the outside, and a booger on one inside corner. :tinysmile_cry_t2: :tinysmile_hmm_t:

I know he had a tough time cleaning as the axle was under the CJ at the time.

I figure I have at least 4 times the contact area he had, and if I do small stitch welds on the inside corners, then I may have it licked.

I UN-bolted the u bolts, then flipped the axle under the heep on the springs. Grinded the perches clean since they were loose, then grinded the axle.

Flipped it right, made LOTS of measurements, and marked it with red pen. Flipped it back upside down, then started welding using a angle thing to keep track of the perches being paralell to each other.

Pics below, let me know what you think. I need a bigger welder. I know one thing, getting my fat head under there with a mask on was a bitch. Kept banging my head as I tried to hold steady.

110v, fluxcore, no gas. One pic each side. Prolly hit the inside corners tomorrow both sides, I can get them all pretty each with the axle bolted back in place.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/blthomas/9-28-10081.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a231/blthomas/9-28-10080.jpg

[H2_RECOVERY]

Thats a nice weld Blair.

[blthomas]

Thanks brudda. I was trying to carry the puddle wide and get into the tube. Dunno.

Only way to see if it's good I guess is run it.

[IAFFCJ]

Looks pretty good to me. Much better than I have ever gotten from my little 110.

[Flexxj90]

You want the "throw" the heatr more towards the tube as it s thicker.. Can you get side pics?

Welds look good, just wanna see if theres good penetration too..

[blthomas]

Looks pretty good to me. Much better than I have ever gotten from my little 110.

Thanks mang. Hoping holds. At least long enough without damage until I can afford to rebuild it next fall.


You want the "throw" the heatr more towards the tube as it s thicker.. Can you get side pics?

Welds look good, just wanna see if theres good penetration too..

I can try but I bolted it up. U bolts and stuff might be in the way. I was tryin' to get it over there. Thought about doing a second pass, but gave in to getting it done.

[blthomas]

You want the "throw" the heatr more towards the tube as it s thicker.. Can you get side pics?

Welds look good, just wanna see if theres good penetration too..

I can try but I bolted it up. U bolts and stuff might be in the way. I was tryin' to get it over there. Thought about doing a second pass, but gave in to getting it done.

I sure hope it holds. I want to upgrade to a small 220v machine, but no dinero for that.

[highyj]

Maybe post up some pics on this forum,These guys now what they are talking about. http://www.offroadfabnet.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=93

[blthomas]

Thanks for the link Rob. Man some of those guys are sick welders.

Makes me ashamed to post mine though.....:tinysmile_hmm_t2:

[ThinkMud]

good job Blair. But you need to be more consistent with your motion, wether it's zig-zags, half moons, circles, etc... and keep it slow.

like i tell everyone at first, no matter how slow you think you are welding, slow down! haha.

good job taking care of it though man, i love to see people welding. I'm sure your job is going to hold up much better then that last one! if you only have a 110, stay with Flux for anything thick, you will get better welds with it.

[michanecash]

just wanna see if theres good penetration too..

sig alert

[ThinkMud]

here Blair, a good video on technique...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4RrDeUKcH4&feature=related

welding is a neverending learning process, so don't take this wrong like I'm knocking you, every welder can get better, lord knows i can.

[blthomas]

good job Blair. But you need to be more consistent with your motion, wether it's zig-zags, half moons, circles, etc... and keep it slow.

like i tell everyone at first, no matter how slow you think you are welding, slow down! haha.

good job taking care of it though man, i love to see people welding. I'm sure your job is going to hold up much better then that last one! if you only have a 110, stay with Flux for anything thick, you will get better welds with it.

Thanks mang. Was shooting for a zigzag C sorta, should have pulled it all the way out from under the heep. But my brake lines are stuck with rust. My biggest issue was trying to be steady, I kept banging my head or knockin the helmet crooked.

here Blair, a good video on technique...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4RrDeUKcH4&feature=related

welding is a neverending learning process, so don't take this wrong like I'm knocking you, every welder can get better, lord knows i can.

Negative Ghostrider, I always appreciate input alot. We're always learning is what I tell Caleb.

Thats a interesting way to run your puddle. I often do little C's, U's, and have lately tried tight figure 8's trying to push the weld on bigger stuff.

I know what I'm gonna go practice later...........:D I'm gonna try doing his method. :D

One thing too is on both outside runs are doubled up. It's not one bead. Hopefully that got it good.

[ThinkMud]

actually from what i've been taught, flux you pull, and mig you push.

when i used flux, my best technique was a "half moons" pulling away from the weld (or C's if you are welding sideways). just keep the wire on the leading edge of the puddle. but i do it where the C or half moon goes back into the puddle (think pac-man with his mouth going away from the puddle). if that makes sense. so the sharp parts of the C or half moon are facing away from the puddle. that's what my uncle (an old school stick welder) taught me. but that only seems to work good with Flux.

for mig, i try to do the same thing but pushing instead of pulling, and the C facing the other way, outside going forward (pac-man going backwards away from puddle with his mouth facing the puddle) but after those videos, i think i'll try the "cursive E" technique, which is also what Bill (wb powell) said he uses.

[IAFFCJ]

I have found that pull is the way to go with flux core. From the studying I have done the slag that is covering the puddle with flux core makes it nearly impossible to push the weld.