Yes take all the old weld off. ...honestly 34chevytruck, I don't think your ready to weld a chassis. This type of welding is just too important to learn on. Find someone in your area to teach you, or take a class. Not that you can't learn on your own, but you'll be light years ahead with a little quality instruction. For any of you guys in the Spokane WA. area, I'd be more than happy to spend a little time helping you learn the basics, shoot me a PM, shops always open.
Man I am not upset at all with all the constructive critisizm, Thats why I am asking, but I am a little pissed with myself for not asking first. Now I have about 75% of my hole (shitty) weld job to grind off, I called 3 local welders and they said flux core was ok. I always learn the fucking hard way. Thanks
This is good advice, and a logical way of proceeding. Without further reinforcement, it appears to me that the quality of the top horizontal weld on the rear "Z" (along the bottom flange of the upper frame rail) will be critical. Inadequate strength in that one seam could cause the entire joint to fail. There doesn't appear to be any room for error. Searching through some other threads on frame building may reveal a more elegant solution. Good luck!
Yes, vertical up-some as long as 30"+. NR-232 is all position. When everything is dialed in, the slag peels like a banana in 1 piece & you can grab it with your glove.
I personally like arc , For rear brackets and stuff I would arc weld ,Thats just my opinioin ,As long as your penetration is good you have nothing to worry about .I heard the only way to tell if a weld is good You cut off with hack saw and have x rayed
Well I had a friend come over yesterday and check out my welds.He said they looked good he just told me to make sure I plate everything and to do several passes on larger gaps. So I dont know what the hell to do. I also talked to two other's that had frame work done with flux core. I know my welds look crappy and I am new to flux core but I do know what to look for as in penetration.
I think the problem is not with the flux vs. gas thing, it is with your experience level vs. the importance of fail proof welds on important structural parts (like a frame). Frankly, due to my limited experience, I know I could do at least a little better than your pics, but still, if I were going to Z a frame I would have my friend Alex do the welding, for something important like this, I WANT to draw on the competency of a certified and/or truly experienced welder. I have burned more than a few hundred pounds of rods and wire. I have just enough experience to know that just because a weld "looks good" doesn't mean it is good. I have found this to be especially true on a mig joint. Not meaning to be a huge prick, but judging your welds on their appearance, if your welds were mine, I would not trust them in this high stress use.
I think your still missing the point. It's not about flux core or solid wire. You asked, most agreed, the welds you showed us are not nearly good enough for structural welds. So as for what to do: #1. You can follow your buddies advice, and hope it stays together. #2. You can follow the advice given here, and learn to weld before you try to weld up your frame. I've tried not to offend now that we have a kinder gentler HAMB (God I miss the early days!) but to put it bluntly the welds you showed look like SHIT. No why in hell I'd ride in in any car with bird shit welds. Learn to weld or go to a rat rod site where they will openly embrace hack work.
I just have to ask..If you did not want to "waste" gas on youre frame...what would you be willing to use youre gas up on? Frame is up there I would say!
Calling Tinbender an asshole when he tried to help you was a foolish move. If you're going to listen to your dipshit buddies over him, that's another foolish move. Practicing welding on your frame? Strike 3, you're a fool.
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