What training for welding?
Discussion
I'd like to weld in my own cage once I've ordered one. If I use the money I would have paid someone else for a training course I can weld it in myself and then do other necessary bits. Can anybody suggest one or the level I need to be at to do this?
I have minimal welding experience - I welded up a workbench and some huge shelves for my garage a few years back from CDS but thats it. Most of the welds just looked like a load of bubbles but its still going strong! I've found a 5 day course from Peta at 750+vat.
Any suggestions?
I have minimal welding experience - I welded up a workbench and some huge shelves for my garage a few years back from CDS but thats it. Most of the welds just looked like a load of bubbles but its still going strong! I've found a 5 day course from Peta at 750+vat.
Any suggestions?
Hi,what type of welding are you talking about ? Mig/tig? All welding is down to understanding the basic principles and then practising ..... A lot . It takes plenty of practice to weld at a good level.welding cages is another thing entirely and is a whole new art of its own, not only in welding it in confined spaces upside down back to front left and right handed but also in getting the cage fitted in the first place. You will also want a fairly powerful set to mig weld 10g plates in a shell correctly. As for courses I'd look for your local technical colleges and see what evening courses they offer. Always get your welder set on a bit of scrap before welding the job.
I went on a local Kollege of Knowledge welding course. The two guys doing it were expert, skilled welders - and crap teachers. They were great if you went to them with a problem, showed you your error, and how to fix it, but had no idea of how to organise a teaching course. I learnt more from the experience of trying out the gas, Mig and arc welding kit at the college than by being instructed.
Like the Noo Yurk taxi driver asked how to get to Carnegie Hall, "You gotta practise, lady, practice!"
Biggest Mig tip I can give you is to learn the 'dither'. As you move the torch along the weld, you move it side to side, dithering it to and fro on a C-shaped track, with the open side the way you are going. If there is a thicker side, spend more time there. Given the right settings this is what gives you the lovely wave pattern in a good weld, as opposed to a blobby one.
Try it out on LOTS of scrap metel!
John
Like the Noo Yurk taxi driver asked how to get to Carnegie Hall, "You gotta practise, lady, practice!"
Biggest Mig tip I can give you is to learn the 'dither'. As you move the torch along the weld, you move it side to side, dithering it to and fro on a C-shaped track, with the open side the way you are going. If there is a thicker side, spend more time there. Given the right settings this is what gives you the lovely wave pattern in a good weld, as opposed to a blobby one.
Try it out on LOTS of scrap metel!
John
1.) You shouldn't need to 'dither' or weave on anything car related unless it's really thick - and then you'd be better doing a multipass weld.
2.) Fitting and welding cages is a b
d of a job, not just the fitment and knocking it down but also sequencing the welds correctly so you can get to everything.
3.) Welding on a bench is nothing like doing it upside down, on your back, with the torch on the other side of the tube to get access, and hot splatter going down your back and in your ears.
It's not rocket science, but whilst sticking two bits of plate together on a bench is easy, tubework is a lot harder.
2.) Fitting and welding cages is a b
d of a job, not just the fitment and knocking it down but also sequencing the welds correctly so you can get to everything.3.) Welding on a bench is nothing like doing it upside down, on your back, with the torch on the other side of the tube to get access, and hot splatter going down your back and in your ears.
It's not rocket science, but whilst sticking two bits of plate together on a bench is easy, tubework is a lot harder.
For racing there are 3 types of welding:
MIG is for mass production
Tig is probably the best for race cars
Brazing is easiest balance of quality and ease of welding for the beginner.
Just my opinion but I'd get someone experienced to weld the cage in. You'll know when you're ready to weld the cage in because you won't buy the cage, you'll make it yourself!
It also depends what you're welding into. Making a kit car is very different to putting a cage in a hatch back. Mass produced cars use thin metal to make monocoque, so putting a cage requires welding the car so it won't rip the thin metal apart when the car turns over.
At 750 quid you could get the cages for 3 cars installed. Welding courses are great if you want to build a space frame though.
Other thing to do other than practice is read:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Performance-Welding-Motorb...
MIG is for mass production
Tig is probably the best for race cars
Brazing is easiest balance of quality and ease of welding for the beginner.
Just my opinion but I'd get someone experienced to weld the cage in. You'll know when you're ready to weld the cage in because you won't buy the cage, you'll make it yourself!
It also depends what you're welding into. Making a kit car is very different to putting a cage in a hatch back. Mass produced cars use thin metal to make monocoque, so putting a cage requires welding the car so it won't rip the thin metal apart when the car turns over.
At 750 quid you could get the cages for 3 cars installed. Welding courses are great if you want to build a space frame though.
Other thing to do other than practice is read:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Performance-Welding-Motorb...
Edited by bozla on Thursday 17th January 22:38
We do a lot of welding at work, and when I have needed bits doing on my cars I have borrowed a welder!! I always worried about using TIG on a race car, mainly as its so neat and tidy and isnt going to give you such a wide root but will give you much better penetration. While all those things are good I am always worried that a scrutineer who is used to seeing TIG welds will say its not substantial enough.
I have done a fair bit of welding over the years but always on body panels and square tube. Welding a cage I thing would be totally different, but as long as you take time and sort out the welding order your shouldnt have to much of a problem. But if its a cage it really has to be top quality welding.
Anyone on here actually welded a cage, would weld shrinkage play a part? Im guessing it will distort if not clamped down during the welding.
I have done a fair bit of welding over the years but always on body panels and square tube. Welding a cage I thing would be totally different, but as long as you take time and sort out the welding order your shouldnt have to much of a problem. But if its a cage it really has to be top quality welding.
Anyone on here actually welded a cage, would weld shrinkage play a part? Im guessing it will distort if not clamped down during the welding.
markbates said:
While all those things are good I am always worried that a scrutineer who is used to seeing TIG welds will say its not substantial enough.
You may laugh but I've seen that a couple of times!Arse and elbow comes to mind.
markbates said:
Anyone on here actually welded a cage, would weld shrinkage play a part? Im guessing it will distort if not clamped down during the welding.
They'll definately move around a lot of you haven't got a good tight fit on the joints and move around the cage to try and get it to pull itself straight. Most of mine tend to fit tight enough around the shell I can tack them in various places to help it though, they don't move far then.Gassing Station | UK Club Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff