Gas welding

orangejuiced86 said:
Except for bodymen, they are usually just drunks!
Click to expand...
Man OJ that is so true. I will say you forgot to include that many are drug addicts as well. It's really depressing though how many guys abuse drugs and alcohol in this trade. Bodymen/Painters are about two steps up from Lawyers in terms of scumbaggery. Lawyers are always the lowest form.:)
Oh and full disclosure, I don't drink or do any sort of illegal drugs. :) Last drink of anything I had was like 12 or 13 years ago. MY Sister is getting married this October, I may have a beer at the reception, or maybe not. Diet Coke is my drug of choice.
 
Last edited:
If you look at some of the work by David Gardiner (picture included) most all of his panels are gas welded together without filler. Once the welds get planished, typically any slight void is on the back side of the panel as the weld gets bumped outward. Just as it's been done for the last hundred years or so.




DGwings.jpg
 
A few more test coupons and I’ll be there. :D

One of my customers is a retired welding instructor. He’s coming by later this week to give me some help.

For those of you carefully analyzing my coupons keep in mind that they are just scraps, many of which were covered with blue Dychem…. :)

Don
 
Last edited:
I have no doubt that you’ll master this to your satisfaction.
It’s obvious from the work you do and your background that it’s just a matter of time.
 
Worn Out Welder said:
I have no doubt that you’ll master this to your satisfaction.
It’s obvious from the work you do and your background that it’s just a matter of time.
Click to expand...
Interesting word salad there since it really depends on the level needed to gain my satisfaction. Luckily I have no conscience so my standards are low… :D

If I can get better results relative to when I use MIG then I will be satisfied. Will the metal shaping and welding gods be satisfied, probably not… :)

Don
 
Last edited:
dhutton01 said:
Interesting word salad there since it really depends on the level needed to gain my satisfaction. Luckily I have no conscience so my standards are low… :D

If I can get better results relative to when I use MIG then I will be satisfied. Will the metal shaping and welding gods be satisfied, probably not… :)

Don
Click to expand...
David Gardiner is a master of any thing metal, and has been doing this for decades. He can make any panel he needs by hand, very very very few can compare to his work. As you have said, it doesn't take much to do better than a mig. But Mig has its place, and it does get the job done. I like tig much better than a torch because the heat is much more concentrated. But with either Tig or torch you seldom have to look for pin holes, as long as you stay on the seam. :(
 
Last edited:
dhutton01 said:
Interesting word salad there since it really depends on the level needed to gain my satisfaction. Luckily I have no conscience so my standards are low… :D

If I can get better results relative to when I use MIG then I will be satisfied. Will the metal shaping and welding gods be satisfied, probably not… :)

Don
Click to expand...
I figured a guy that put a Cameo on a Vette can ox/acetylene weld a fused seam….just another science project.
 
Some videos I did on gas welding... may help the newbies trying it for the first time. Peter Tommasini teaches that the after the initial tack, the next tacks should be placed where the HAZ line of the last tack crosses the joint. Continue tacking across the panel. Upon completion of the tacks, this method shows a fairly consistent HAZ width from one end to the other, which is what you're looking for. If the panels start to separate from the heat (expansion) of the last tack, allow it to cool naturally and the panel will close back up. If the panels start to cross over from the cooling/shrinking, planish the last tack or two until the panels are butted again. In essence, if we are quick enough to align the panels when the cooling is bringing them back together and apply the next tack at that time, we shouldn't need to planish to spread the panels apart. After tacking from one end to the other, having a tight butt joint will allow us to do a fusion weld without using filler.






Once complete, using hammer and dolly to planish the weld from end to end should stretch any shrinking that may have occurred during cooling process, and should also flatten the panel for no grinding required. Any slight low areas are acceptable, and as shown by these following Destruction tests to see how well the fusion welds hold up, do not affect panel strength...




 
Still plugging away.
18 gauge
IMG_2256.jpeg
IMG_2257.jpeg


Since 20 gauge is common for patch panels I dragged some out. Quickly figured out I needed a smaller torch nozzle. :) This is 00. Put a slight crease in the piece clamped to the bench because it’s so flexible. Tougher to weld. Had to fix a blow through.
IMG_2261.jpeg
 
Last edited:
dhutton01 said:
Still plugging away.
18 gauge
View attachment 27313View attachment 27314

Since 20 gauge is common for patch panels I dragged some out. Quickly figured out I needed a smaller torch nozzle. :) This is 00. Put a slight crease in the piece clamped to the bench because it’s so flexible. Tougher to weld. Had to fix a blow through.
View attachment 27316
Click to expand...

That's pretty impressive. Your pushing the puddle like a professional. The HAZ for the most part is pretty darn consistent. It's good to see your fusion welding the butt joint in "open air".
 
Okay Don, for your next challenge........try fusion welding a vertical butt joint ;). Then try a vertical horizontal butt joint.

Let's see if gravity is your friend :D
 
MJM said:
Okay Don, for your next challenge........try fusion welding a vertical butt joint ;). Then try a vertical horizontal butt joint.

Let's see if gravity is your friend :D
Click to expand...
I have a rotisserie so I can always position the weld anywhere I want :p :D

All it takes is a few gazintas…

 
dhutton01 said:
I have a rotisserie so I can always position the weld where I want :p :D

All it takes is a few gazintas…

Click to expand...

S.O.B....... I should have known, lol

I'm finding out very quickly working on my car just how beneficial and useful all the different tasks that can be done so much easier using a rotisserie.

Okay let me think of a new welding challenge for ya.......okay I got it. Try welding upside down..... let's see how gravity treats ya :D
 
MJM said:
S.O.B....... I should have known, lol

I'm finding out very quickly working on my car just how beneficial and useful all the different tasks that can be done so much easier using a rotisserie.

Okay let me think of a new welding challenge for ya.......okay I got it. Try welding upside down..... let's see how gravity treats ya :D
Click to expand...
Mike, Mike, Mike… I would just flip it over on the rotisserie….

Don
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top