View Single Post
  #21  
Old 23-01-11, 15:45
Bob Carriere Bob Carriere is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Hammond, Ontario
Posts: 5,259
Default On spot welding.......

Some observations.....

It takes a few pictures before you finally get a good one of the sparks.....

Cleaning the joining surfaces help the quality of the weld and reduces sparks.
We used brake cleaner degreasing solution.

New tips are a pain until they wear down to a larger contact area..... next time will file them down to larger size before starting.

The only way (for me) to really test a weld is to break it apart... read destroy... to check of strength and penetration.....

Cleaning up the tip after 24+ welds helps in consistency and quality... dress with a file.... readjust alignment and pressure setting.

Good penetration leaves the metal hot...very hot..... wear gloves.

When wearing gloves..... wear good leather ones..... drops of flying molten metal will burn through them....ouch..... or fall into the top opening of the gloves..double ouch!!!!!

Spot welds every 3 inches on two pieces of 18 gauge steel will distort the metal into a long curve on 6 foot pieces..... not noticeable until after you hold it straight....... next time stagger spot welds... set up better so parts are supported and held flat to spot welder.....

Have fun !!!!!
__________________
Bob Carriere....B.T.B
C15a Cab 11
Hammond, Ontario
Canada
Reply With Quote