Original Posted By: Kevin Southwick
I have 'em all, MIG, TIG, Oxy acet. and Arc, and if I could only have one,hands down would be the best set of torches and regulators that I couldafford and have LOCALLY serviced. I would also buy the largest cylindersthat I could transport easily. Welding is no secret . . . just practice,and the cheapest place to practice is the local High School night class.You get a feel for your basic aptitude for welding, and you can burn lots ofrod for $30! (our local semester fees.) Just don't expect your instructorto be comfortable discussing airplane welding.________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Welders?
Pietenpol-List: Re: Welders?
Original Posted By: "David B. Schober"
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Welders?>Bill- I am not an expert by any means, but I would suggest going with the>oxy-acetylene torch for aircraft welding. You will be welding small parts,>and the torch is easier to use on these pieces. Pre-heating with the gas>torch is automatic, and you will not get localized hardening. You canbraze>and silver solder with the torch.>>The EAA book titled "Aircraft Welding" only discusses gas welding, not arc>welding. It is a very good book.>>Another book, "Welder's Handbook" by Richard Finch is also very good. He>says that gas welding is more suitable for 4130 steel, and that arc welding>4130 is more prone to cracking after it cools because of 4130's"graininess".>>Just my opinion.>>Al Swanson>>>>Hi Folks;>>>>I am getting closer to the production stage, one item I>>still do not have in my shop is a welder. I am thinking of>>going with a wire feeder. More for power requirements than>>anything else. I understand these units can run on 110v/ 20>>amp. and are somewhat compact. It sounds like some of you>>have welders and use them a bit. I am sure this is>>something I will use from now on, that is why I am thinking>>of buying a good one. Does anybody have a recommendation or>>warning about anything on the market? I figure if I get the>>big ticket items bought first, the boss will not notice to>>"total cost" of production.>>thanks>>Bill>>>>>>________________________________________________________________________________
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Welders?>Bill- I am not an expert by any means, but I would suggest going with the>oxy-acetylene torch for aircraft welding. You will be welding small parts,>and the torch is easier to use on these pieces. Pre-heating with the gas>torch is automatic, and you will not get localized hardening. You canbraze>and silver solder with the torch.>>The EAA book titled "Aircraft Welding" only discusses gas welding, not arc>welding. It is a very good book.>>Another book, "Welder's Handbook" by Richard Finch is also very good. He>says that gas welding is more suitable for 4130 steel, and that arc welding>4130 is more prone to cracking after it cools because of 4130's"graininess".>>Just my opinion.>>Al Swanson>>>>Hi Folks;>>>>I am getting closer to the production stage, one item I>>still do not have in my shop is a welder. I am thinking of>>going with a wire feeder. More for power requirements than>>anything else. I understand these units can run on 110v/ 20>>amp. and are somewhat compact. It sounds like some of you>>have welders and use them a bit. I am sure this is>>something I will use from now on, that is why I am thinking>>of buying a good one. Does anybody have a recommendation or>>warning about anything on the market? I figure if I get the>>big ticket items bought first, the boss will not notice to>>"total cost" of production.>>thanks>>Bill>>>>>>________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Welders?
Original Posted By: fishin
Hi Folks;I am getting closer to the production stage, one item Istill do not have in my shop is a welder. I am thinking ofgoing with a wire feeder. More for power requirements thananything else. I understand these units can run on 110v/ 20amp. and are somewhat compact. It sounds like some of youhave welders and use them a bit. I am sure this issomething I will use from now on, that is why I am thinkingof buying a good one. Does anybody have a recommendation orwarning about anything on the market? I figure if I get thebig ticket items bought first, the boss will not notice to"total cost" of production.thanksBill________________________________________________________________________________
Hi Folks;I am getting closer to the production stage, one item Istill do not have in my shop is a welder. I am thinking ofgoing with a wire feeder. More for power requirements thananything else. I understand these units can run on 110v/ 20amp. and are somewhat compact. It sounds like some of youhave welders and use them a bit. I am sure this issomething I will use from now on, that is why I am thinkingof buying a good one. Does anybody have a recommendation orwarning about anything on the market? I figure if I get thebig ticket items bought first, the boss will not notice to"total cost" of production.thanksBill________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Re: Welders?
Original Posted By: Larry Neal
Bill- I am not an expert by any means, but I would suggest going with theoxy-acetylene torch for aircraft welding. You will be welding small parts,and the torch is easier to use on these pieces. Pre-heating with the gastorch is automatic, and you will not get localized hardening. You can brazeand silver solder with the torch.The EAA book titled "Aircraft Welding" only discusses gas welding, not arcwelding. It is a very good book.Another book, "Welder's Handbook" by Richard Finch is also very good. Hesays that gas welding is more suitable for 4130 steel, and that arc welding4130 is more prone to cracking after it cools because of 4130's "graininess".Just my opinion.Al Swanson>Hi Folks;>>I am getting closer to the production stage, one item I>still do not have in my shop is a welder. I am thinking of>going with a wire feeder. More for power requirements than>anything else. I understand these units can run on 110v/ 20>amp. and are somewhat compact. It sounds like some of you>have welders and use them a bit. I am sure this is>something I will use from now on, that is why I am thinking>of buying a good one. Does anybody have a recommendation or>warning about anything on the market? I figure if I get the>big ticket items bought first, the boss will not notice to>"total cost" of production.>thanks>Bill>>________________________________________________________________________________
Bill- I am not an expert by any means, but I would suggest going with theoxy-acetylene torch for aircraft welding. You will be welding small parts,and the torch is easier to use on these pieces. Pre-heating with the gastorch is automatic, and you will not get localized hardening. You can brazeand silver solder with the torch.The EAA book titled "Aircraft Welding" only discusses gas welding, not arcwelding. It is a very good book.Another book, "Welder's Handbook" by Richard Finch is also very good. Hesays that gas welding is more suitable for 4130 steel, and that arc welding4130 is more prone to cracking after it cools because of 4130's "graininess".Just my opinion.Al Swanson>Hi Folks;>>I am getting closer to the production stage, one item I>still do not have in my shop is a welder. I am thinking of>going with a wire feeder. More for power requirements than>anything else. I understand these units can run on 110v/ 20>amp. and are somewhat compact. It sounds like some of you>have welders and use them a bit. I am sure this is>something I will use from now on, that is why I am thinking>of buying a good one. Does anybody have a recommendation or>warning about anything on the market? I figure if I get the>big ticket items bought first, the boss will not notice to>"total cost" of production.>thanks>Bill>>________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Re: Welders?
Original Posted By: oil can
Bill, I have Two welders, an oxy acetylene set, and an ac/dc with a highfrequency TIG attachment. The TIG makes beautiful welds but is very fussyabout cleanliness. I still prefer the oxy set as I feel that I have bettercontrol over the puddling and the flame can be made to heat areas ofdifferent thickness. The TIG, being electric has the tendency to follow thepath of least resistance, and makes it difficult to get penetration in sometypes of joints. It does however do a wonderful job on aluminum.The oxy set has an advantage in steel that it heats the joint more evenlyand self anneals. The skill level required for either method is purely amatter of understanding. Buy a good instructional book and practice,practice, practice. Be prepared to make several parts over and test a few todestruction. I can't say much about MIG as I don't own one of those. The aviationindustry for decades did most of the steel welding and some aluminum withoxy/ acetylene. It is still a good choice. I would feel lost without mine.It may be a bit harder to learn but the quality of the end product is theimportant thing. Practice, practice, patience!I know the MIG welders are quicker but in my humble opinion the gas set willprove more useful in the long term.J Mc________________________________________________________________________________
Bill, I have Two welders, an oxy acetylene set, and an ac/dc with a highfrequency TIG attachment. The TIG makes beautiful welds but is very fussyabout cleanliness. I still prefer the oxy set as I feel that I have bettercontrol over the puddling and the flame can be made to heat areas ofdifferent thickness. The TIG, being electric has the tendency to follow thepath of least resistance, and makes it difficult to get penetration in sometypes of joints. It does however do a wonderful job on aluminum.The oxy set has an advantage in steel that it heats the joint more evenlyand self anneals. The skill level required for either method is purely amatter of understanding. Buy a good instructional book and practice,practice, practice. Be prepared to make several parts over and test a few todestruction. I can't say much about MIG as I don't own one of those. The aviationindustry for decades did most of the steel welding and some aluminum withoxy/ acetylene. It is still a good choice. I would feel lost without mine.It may be a bit harder to learn but the quality of the end product is theimportant thing. Practice, practice, patience!I know the MIG welders are quicker but in my humble opinion the gas set willprove more useful in the long term.J Mc________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Re: Welders?
Original Posted By: Alan Swanson
My uncle, now building a Wittman Tailwind, performed sledge hammar stresstests of TIG and gas welded 4130 joints. Results: the TIG welds broke alongthe edges of the weld joints suggesting the metal didn't get hot enough tofully join. Gas welded joints held much better.He was going to TIG weld before this...Kevin-----Original Message-----
My uncle, now building a Wittman Tailwind, performed sledge hammar stresstests of TIG and gas welded 4130 joints. Results: the TIG welds broke alongthe edges of the weld joints suggesting the metal didn't get hot enough tofully join. Gas welded joints held much better.He was going to TIG weld before this...Kevin-----Original Message-----
Pietenpol-List: Re: Welders?
Original Posted By: Doug Sheets
I have to vote for gas welding as well. I'm just putting the finishingtouches on mu Christavia MK 1, a rag and tube high wing. The one pieve ofadvice I will give is to try and find a Henrob torch. Anyway, it is agreat little torch that gives a hotter flame and a smoother cut thanconventional torches. People around here swear by them.. Unfortunately, Ifound out about it after I had finished most of my welding and couldn'tjustify buying another gun. I will buy one before my next project though.The company is located in Farmington Hills Michigan. Thair toll freenumber is 1-800 4HENROB (443-6762) and they will send an info pack if youcall. At US$369 it is a fairly rich piece of equipment.Hope this helps,KenOn Sun, 4 Apr 1999, Bill Talbert wrote:> Hi Folks;> > I am getting closer to the production stage, one item I> still do not have in my shop is a welder. I am thinking of> going with a wire feeder. More for power requirements than> anything else. I understand these units can run on 110v/ 20> amp. and are somewhat compact. It sounds like some of you> have welders and use them a bit. I am sure this is> something I will use from now on, that is why I am thinking> of buying a good one. Does anybody have a recommendation or> warning about anything on the market? I figure if I get the> big ticket items bought first, the boss will not notice to> "total cost" of production.> thanks> Bill> ________________________________________________________________________________
I have to vote for gas welding as well. I'm just putting the finishingtouches on mu Christavia MK 1, a rag and tube high wing. The one pieve ofadvice I will give is to try and find a Henrob torch. Anyway, it is agreat little torch that gives a hotter flame and a smoother cut thanconventional torches. People around here swear by them.. Unfortunately, Ifound out about it after I had finished most of my welding and couldn'tjustify buying another gun. I will buy one before my next project though.The company is located in Farmington Hills Michigan. Thair toll freenumber is 1-800 4HENROB (443-6762) and they will send an info pack if youcall. At US$369 it is a fairly rich piece of equipment.Hope this helps,KenOn Sun, 4 Apr 1999, Bill Talbert wrote:> Hi Folks;> > I am getting closer to the production stage, one item I> still do not have in my shop is a welder. I am thinking of> going with a wire feeder. More for power requirements than> anything else. I understand these units can run on 110v/ 20> amp. and are somewhat compact. It sounds like some of you> have welders and use them a bit. I am sure this is> something I will use from now on, that is why I am thinking> of buying a good one. Does anybody have a recommendation or> warning about anything on the market? I figure if I get the> big ticket items bought first, the boss will not notice to> "total cost" of production.> thanks> Bill> ________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Re: Welders?
Original Posted By: fishin
Kevin Southwick wrote:> > My uncle, now building a Wittman Tailwind, performed sledge hammar> stress> tests of TIG and gas welded 4130 joints. Results: the TIG welds broke> along> the edges of the weld joints suggesting the metal didn't get hot> enough to> fully join. Gas welded joints held much better.> > He was going to TIG weld before this...Depends on the welder. A friend of mine owns a Machine shop and knows how to TIG weld while properly heating and cooling the entire area ofthe weld. He has had the best success on problematic motor mounts andother high stress areas. I wouldn't rule out TIG welding but I think it perhaps requires a bit more knowledge than gas welding.Just a thought,Ktm________________________________________________________________________________
Kevin Southwick wrote:> > My uncle, now building a Wittman Tailwind, performed sledge hammar> stress> tests of TIG and gas welded 4130 joints. Results: the TIG welds broke> along> the edges of the weld joints suggesting the metal didn't get hot> enough to> fully join. Gas welded joints held much better.> > He was going to TIG weld before this...Depends on the welder. A friend of mine owns a Machine shop and knows how to TIG weld while properly heating and cooling the entire area ofthe weld. He has had the best success on problematic motor mounts andother high stress areas. I wouldn't rule out TIG welding but I think it perhaps requires a bit more knowledge than gas welding.Just a thought,Ktm________________________________________________________________________________