Re: Mk1 Escort (Ratspeed) project build....
You shouldn't do a complete pass anyways. The stainless needs to cool. otherwise it goes gray and horrible and loses some of its structure. An inch is about the maximum you should do, then wait a while and start again. stainless hate heat, "get in and get out" is what i keep hearing
I find talking the rhythm (dab, dab, dab) or using pulsing is a good way to learn rhythm as it basically shows you when to add the filler.
The dimes just come from the stop start of filler rod. you can also whip back over like you would with mig and will give you the basic dimes look. Just be careful not to over heat the stainless. You should just tack it together and then back purge it otherwise you will drag a lot of oxidation into the weld as it penetrates to the unshielded side. It will look like crusty gray frosting (sugaring) on the inside which will then effect the colour on the outside.
I started the same way as you 2 years ago. Wanted to do a stainless exhaust for my mustang. went out a bought a tig on "tick" and learnt how to do it. i'm not pro or good. But i know a lot of the reasons why you get bad welds. welded and couldn't get better, spend hours online to find im doing one thing wrong. weld again, get better but still have problems. Few more hours on the internet. so i try an pass on what info i have to save people the pain!
With how good your fabrication skills are you will master it in no time!
Re: Mk1 Escort (Ratspeed) project build....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rob_G You shouldn't do a complete pass anyways. The stainless needs to cool. otherwise it goes gray and horrible and loses some of its structure. An inch is about the maximum you should do, then wait a while and start again. stainless hate heat, "get in and get out" is what i keep hearing
I find talking the rhythm (dab, dab, dab) or using pulsing is a good way to learn rhythm as it basically shows you when to add the filler.
The dimes just come from the stop start of filler rod. you can also whip back over like you would with mig and will give you the basic dimes look. Just be careful not to over heat the stainless. You should just tack it together and then back purge it otherwise you will drag a lot of oxidation into the weld as it penetrates to the unshielded side. It will look like crusty gray frosting (sugaring) on the inside which will then effect the colour on the outside.
I started the same way as you 2 years ago. Wanted to do a stainless exhaust for my mustang. went out a bought a tig on "tick" and learnt how to do it. i'm not pro or good. But i know a lot of the reasons why you get bad welds. welded and couldn't get better, spend hours online to find im doing one thing wrong. weld again, get better but still have problems. Few more hours on the internet. so i try an pass on what info i have to save people the pain!
With how good your fabrication skills are you will master it in no time!
Thanks rob....it is a good challenge...i worked out how to make a weld look good by going back over it..but im sure its not good for the stainless...the other problem i have is ...when i stop welding the last hot weld seems to form a tiny hole in the centre...ive tried longer post gas...shorter post gas...gently stopping...instant stopping....its possible contamination from the inside of the tube coming through...but i learnt early on that you need everything super clean....but im happy i can weld the exhaust now...just need more practice to make it look super pretty....i managed to use a 20ltre bottle of argon just on the manifold and practice joints....
Thanks for the incouragement...its needed to not give up...another big help was the cheater lens i got ...i can actually see what im doing ...lol which makes a massive difference....
Cheers mark
Re: Mk1 Escort (Ratspeed) project build....
hi mark just a little hint as your finishing your weld run taper off with arc at the same time still add extra dabbing with the rod and that should eliminate the crators at the end of the weld.
Re: Mk1 Escort (Ratspeed) project build....
Yeah the crater at the end of the weld is just due to technique. Like mick says, taper off the heat and i also circle round the last bead as i taper so i don't get a hole if don't want to add anymore rod.
Also when cleaning parts before welding use acetone or pure alcohol. Never brake cleaner! when you weld that stuff gives off some very harmful fumes which you don't notice.
20litres? are you using hobby weld bottles? I was on them when i first started but was VERY expensive for the amount you get. I switched to a BOC bottle and asked for the VOLKZONE discount (cheaper rate) and now i get a 40 litre bottle with 200bar for £36 a refill. Vs the hobby weld 20 litre at 120bar for £54 a refill.
Cheater lense? is that a gas lense with a pyrex cup? pictures!! :P been thinking about getting a nice big flooding cup.
Re: Mk1 Escort (Ratspeed) project build....
A little update...ive finished most of the tigwelding on the exhaust manifold...and ive added some strengthing brackets....
Next job is to finish the manifold flanges(stub tubes )and weld the flanges to the manifold...
So to get rid of as much stress on the exhaust as possible i wanted to make sure the tube to flange were all identicle..
So i made a quick jig and sanded(milled) the tube ends all flat and square to each other....
http://media2.turbosport.co.uk/2013/..._03_07_Pro.jpg
http://media2.turbosport.co.uk/2013/..._03_19_Pro.jpg
http://media2.turbosport.co.uk/2013/..._03_38_Pro.jpg
http://media2.turbosport.co.uk/2013/..._03_57_Pro.jpg
http://media2.turbosport.co.uk/2013/..._05_31_Pro.jpg
http://media2.turbosport.co.uk/2013/..._31_03_Pro.jpg
http://media2.turbosport.co.uk/2013/..._46_19_Pro.jpg
http://media2.turbosport.co.uk/2013/..._47_07_Pro.jpg
Heres a pic of a tig welded joint....
http://media2.turbosport.co.uk/2013/...03_19_2Pro.jpg
I created the look of slip joints...but they are actually seam welded then the outer tube added later...
The whole manifold will be ceramic coated...and im hopeing this will hide some of the shit looking welds lol...
All for now cheers mark
Re: Mk1 Escort (Ratspeed) project build....
Amazing mate,
Wish you were over here so we could collaborate!!
Keep up the amazing work
Matt
Re: Mk1 Escort (Ratspeed) project build....
Its a half size bottle 200bar...cheater lens goes in the welding helmet/...like a magnifier lens...makes it easier for me to see what im doing.....
Cheers mark
Re: Mk1 Escort (Ratspeed) project build....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Matt75 Amazing mate,
Wish you were over here so we could collaborate!!
Keep up the amazing work
Matt
Wish i was there as well...better weather as well i think....cheers mark
Re: Mk1 Escort (Ratspeed) project build....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
madragon199 Wish i was there as well...better weather as well i think....cheers mark
Sure is! Its 28 today. Perfect for working on cars.
Cheers
Matt
Re: Mk1 Escort (Ratspeed) project build....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Matt75 Sure is! Its 28 today. Perfect for working on cars.
Cheers
Matt
Not fair....1 degree with snow today...in london....
Cheers mark
Re: Mk1 Escort (Ratspeed) project build....
been dying for an update on this. you still working on it?
Re: Mk1 Escort (Ratspeed) project build....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jimbo1989 been dying for an update on this. you still working on it?
Its taken a little break...while i did a quick rebuild of the other old lightning rod race car(got the bug to race in a circle) ( which as you can guesse turned out not to be a quick fix)...and i thought id try and do some video footage of my builds...which again has turned into another epic adventure..(and then build a web site ect ect)..but its still moving forward at a snails pace...lol...
cheers mark
Re: Mk1 Escort (Ratspeed) project build....
Got a link to the new project or website?
I'd love to check it out
Matt
Re: Mk1 Escort (Ratspeed) project build....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Matt75 Got a link to the new project or website?
I'd love to check it out
Matt
Hi matt...ill pm you some raw footage...it takes stupid time to film and edit..lol...web site is built but ive not put any content on yet...still making the videos..(learning what to film and when)...glad yours is progressing ...almost ready to race...cheers mark
Re: Mk1 Escort (Ratspeed) project build....
If it's half as good as your fab skills it'll be amazing
Can't wait
Cheers
Matt
Re: Mk1 Escort (Ratspeed) project build....
Need an update mate!!
Matt
Re: Mk1 Escort (Ratspeed) project build....
everything Ok? is this build still a thing?