So what about Larry Mac's comments about using my
buzz box, getting the right torch, and adding a
bottle of inert gas? Do I really have to buy a
whole new rig?
Dick J
--- FastmetalBDF@aol.com wrote:
> Dick, If you intend to work on lsr cars /
> street rods / homebuilt
> motorcycles
> and the like for a number of years yet, the
> best way to go is to get yourself
> a TIG welding ( also referred to as HELIARC )
> outfit .... this is how the PROS
> do it, and to me it is the ULTIMATE way to
> fasten metal together : aluminum
> (or as it is known in the UK : ALUMINIUM
> ),stainless steel, regular carbon
> steel, titanium, magnesium, copper, and cast
> iron . You said that you can
> gas weld ..... TIG is much the same, torch in
> one hand, filler rod in the
> other,
> only the heat for the arc is supplied by
> electricity, and the inert gas is
> for the
> purpose of shielding the weld zone only,
> whether argon, helium, or carbon
> dioxide ...... or mixes like 75 % helium / 25 %
> argon, etc. ...... it all
> depends on WHAT you are welding on .
> My take is ..... IF you can afford to do
> some serious racing, and IF
> you will be building the car(s) yourself, and
> IF you can visualize yourself
> being ABLE to do this for at least a few more
> years ..... then you should
> do yourself a BIG FAVOR and get TIG welding for
> your shop .
> IF you were a racer who is mainly an
> engine builder type, and does
> just a little welding on the car, or NONE, and
> farms all of that out to
> friends
> or pro shops, then this advice might not apply
> to you ..... everybody has
> to figure out what they really need versus the
> cost, and how often will they
> need to use that equipment, and will the
> equipment they already have
> get the job done ..... to their satisfaction .
> Much of the great technology in hot
> rodding and race car building
> came to us from the aircraft industry, which is
> one of industry' s main
> cutting edges in metalworking, and I believe
> the TIG process was developed
> by North American Aircraft in the early 40s
> ...... but I might be incorrect
> on that . Check out the welding you see on any
> modern airplanes .....
> I do every time I' m getting on an airliner
> .... some nice looking welds
> there, and rivet work, too !
> Several thoughts there ......
> YA PAYS YER MONEY & MAKES YER
> CHERCE
> Bruce
> BTW : When I started gas welding (1954) the
> word " torch " meant the
> CUTTING torch ..... when we actually welded
> metal together with the
> smaller tips screwed onto the same handle, this
> was technically referred to
> as an oxy - acetylene blowpipe .....at least
> according to the manufacturer .
> In those days every garage and body shop had
> oxy - acetylene welding
> ..... but they did NOT all have arc
> welding .....
>
>
=====
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Dick J *
* (In East Texas) *
* # 729 *
* C/GRS E/STR *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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