Slimy38
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posted on 5/2/13 at 03:02 PM |
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Mixing gas and gasless welding
I have a gas/no-gas mig welder, and while I don't like gasless for anything critical, I was wondering whether it would be ok for tacking things
together? Once it's all in one piece, I'd go get some gas to do a proper job on the full welds.
Will no-gas tacks affect the quality of the final welding?
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roadrunner
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posted on 5/2/13 at 03:17 PM |
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Dont be saying things like this.
I have just welded up my new engine cradle with a gas-less welder.
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Slimy38
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posted on 5/2/13 at 03:43 PM |
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quote: Originally posted by roadrunner
Dont be saying things like this.
I have just welded up my new engine cradle with a gas-less welder.
Oh no, sorry it's not a criticism of gasless. As far as I can tell it's structurally as sound as gas MIG. It's just messier
that's all, and I prefer to use gas so I can see what I'm doing.
I just wondered whether the fillers used for gasless would affect a gas weld.
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cliftyhanger
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posted on 5/2/13 at 04:43 PM |
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No reason they would interfere. A wire brush will remove the gasless flux residue easily enough, and the welds should be neat underneath. distortion
is the main issue on thinner stuff, and the fact most gasless welders are at the DIY end of the market.
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Slimy38
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posted on 5/2/13 at 05:06 PM |
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quote: Originally posted by cliftyhanger
No reason they would interfere. A wire brush will remove the gasless flux residue easily enough, and the welds should be neat underneath. distortion
is the main issue on thinner stuff, and the fact most gasless welders are at the DIY end of the market.
What is considered 'thinner stuff'? Should I expect distortion when tacking 1.6mm SHS (not full welding)?
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cliftyhanger
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posted on 5/2/13 at 06:04 PM |
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Just about any welder can distort panelwork. Gas welding blows cold gas over the weld so probably helps a tiny bit. Just take the welding a bit at a
time, not one long continuous weld.
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Slimy38
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posted on 5/2/13 at 06:39 PM |
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That sounds fine, many thanks.
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chrism
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posted on 5/2/13 at 07:49 PM |
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Thats exactly what I did years ago when I first built a locost chassis. Got a new gasless welder and it came with a small roll of gasless wire so I
used that to tac most of it up, did do a couple of longer welds where tubes were going to be in the way. Then got a reel of normal mig wire and welded
the chassis.
If your worries about strength etc, then think, you will be going over most of the tacs anyway when you weld up properly.
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A little hard work never killed anyone, but why take the risk!
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