Welding

Mate, are you looking for a classic mini forum?!!?

Birdog said:

How hard is it ? Welding ?

I am trying to convince my wife that we desperately need a mini, but I`m not sure what kind of state it could be in.

For me electrics are no problem, and I can normally figure out mechanical stuff, but I have never done any welding.

I have access to a welding machine, a friend has one, is it a case of practice and taking a lot of time to get things right ? is it worth doing some kind of course ? or just getting some scrap and trying to stick it together ?

Cheers

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My younger brother and dad done a welding course at college for 12 weeks, they are now waiting for their certificate, they loved it, their in the process of getting a full welding set so they can start at home on the mound of cars that take up our twice expanded drive haha! They said its very worth while!

Take a course. Welding is not hard, but you will need proper technique to ensure that the car does not fall apart around you.

It all depends on what welding process that you are doing??
TIG- which is the hardest
MIG- is the simplier process
I have been welding for about 4 years now, and it is a lot harder than it looks
When yuo go to college that is not often enough, it takes lots of practice and even then you can make mistakes

Hope this is some help

why exactly do you want to weld? what are you planning on doing??? or is it just to show the wife you need a new car?

Hello

David King, I know its a classic mini question, but I not a member of a classic mini forum.

"why exactly do you want to weld? what are you planning on doing??? or is it just to show the wife you need a new car?"

No idea, almost delfinatly rusted panel, replacement panels, floors, boots, the standard stuff.

I guess the floors/boots, parts that wont usually be seen shouldn`t be to bad, with enough pratice on scraps I should hopefuly be okay, I`ll get my friend to show me the trick, or maybe a course.

Its the outside parts that worry me most, replacing panels, making it look perfect. it looks really easy on the telly, but I suspect it isn`t.

There are some very good books on the subject,but ultimately it is a skill of hand thing ,and practice is everything .
As you practice you learn how much metal moves when heated and what thickness of metal moves a certain distance .
Like anything else preparation is important ,clean surfaces and clamping and so forth ,best practice on some off cuts of metal rather than the car , and bear in mind just about everyone who has welded cars has at some point set fire to the carpet or wiring or themselves !!!!
So ALWAYS have safety measures in place ,AND CHECK THAT YOU ARE INSURED -some house policies will not cover welding and if you burn down your house a hobby can turn into a disaster
I would say its easier than plastering !!!!