learning to weld

OK, here's a couple pix I already posted showing my valve covers with holes ground into them.
The reason being that the linkage on the Man-A-Fre was hitting it and, The only other way to get clearance that I could see would have been to raise the carbs and linkage or use steel valve covers.
I wanted to leave the option of running with a hood as a possibility and that meant no carb spacers.
I could have used steel valve covers and had enough room but I really like the old Cal Custom style, so..





since I was out in the garage already today I thought I'd try out the new tig.
I have never used one before and was quite pleased with the results.

whatta ya think?





Paul

 

Very nice !

 

I think Aluminum is a ***** to try and learn.And you have obviously done a good job.

 

Anybody know of a tech post or site about welding aluminum- by the way- good job i like the way it fits the movement arc of the parts

 

[ QUOTE ]
Anybody know of a tech post or site about welding aluminum- by the way- good job i like the way it fits the movement arc of the parts

[/ QUOTE ]

good site for welding info of ALL types is hobart welding message board

later jim

 

[ QUOTE ]
Anybody know of a tech post or site about welding aluminum- by the way- good job i like the way it fits the movement arc of the parts

[/ QUOTE ]
My Henrob is due to be delivered sometime this week, one of the reasons I bought it was to do aluminum. I didn't have the room (or money to spend) for a TIG, but the Henrob is touted to do a sweet job on aluminum, especially pieces like valve covers and trim. At $339 I think that more HAMBers would find the Henrob within their reach. I will be posting some updates on my "learning process" with this new torch....
That was a great job you did on the valve covers, I'd hate to think how much the shops around here would charge for those patches, even without the slick grinding and polishing work!

 

I clamped some 1/4" plate pieces to the inside and welded from the outside.

cleaned the welds up with a rotary file chucked in a drill motor,

knocked the flat down with a disc sander, medium grit,

hit it with the DA 150 grit, and finished it with the polisher with a fast cutting stick.

main thing I think was to get the material absolutely clean before welding,

that and not let the puddle get too hot.

Oh yeah, you gotta grab life by the balls and squeeze.

Paul

 

[ QUOTE ]
Anybody know of a tech post or site about welding aluminum- by the way- good job i like the way it fits the movement arc of the parts

[/ QUOTE ]

Lincoln Electric has a pretty good site too with lots of FAQs, tutorials, projects, etc. too.

 

too smooth. Try again...