Topic: To weld or not to weld? that is the question!

[Djfob]

I have a rear hoop and two flat bars for seat mounts to be welded onto my 78 cb750k. Cheapest quote I've got is $200 to have it TIG. The whole bike I've rebuilt it myself, mechanically inclined but wouldn't mind learning to weld.

Since its not really structural parts I figured I could tackle it myself. Never welded in my life but from what I'm reading I can learn how to mig strong welds with 5-10 hours practice. Looking to purchase a Lincoln 180 mig. Can I get away with just flux or is gas recommended. On a bit of a budget.

Looking for opinions if I should leave this to a professional or finish the bike myself start to finish? I've been back and forth.

[Xnavylfr]

Flux core will be fine  but of course gas is better. The gas makes for a much cleaner weld. I've welded all kinds of stuff with just flux core and it's still welded on there. I welded some short chains on the side of my MC trailer to act as TIE-DOWN extension and have never had a problem with them.  Have had 800LB BIKES tie with them and NO problemo!!!


Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

[70CB750]

That Lincoln is a good choice and I would not be afraid to flux it only.  I have done it on my jeep frame, body, tractor implements, tractor itself, built two trailers etc.

I would suggest to get a welder, read up and start welding, you will see yourself if you have it good neough for the frame.

For$200 I would get a welder, you will be using it again and again and every learned skill is a good thing.

[lucky]

Flux core will be fine  but of course gas is better. The gas makes for a much cleaner weld. I've welded all kinds of stuff with just flux core and it's still welded on there. I welded some short chains on the side of my MC trailer to act as TIE-DOWN extension and have never had a problem with them.  Have had 800LB BIKES tie with them and NO problemo!!!


Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

I hope those were not hardened steel chains.
Flux core welding (innersheild/FCAW) is not inferior in any way.
The light slag left behind can easily be brushed off with a wire brush.

[lucky]

I have a rear hoop and two flat bars for seat mounts to be welded onto my 78 cb750k. Cheapest quote I've got is $200 to have it TIG. The whole bike I've rebuilt it myself, mechanically inclined but wouldn't mind learning to weld.

Since its not really structural parts I figured I could tackle it myself. Never welded in my life but from what I'm reading I can learn how to mig strong welds with 5-10 hours practice. Looking to purchase a Lincoln 180 mig. Can I get away with just flux or is gas recommended. On a bit of a budget.

Looking for opinions if I should leave this to a professional or finish the bike myself start to finish? I've been back and forth.

Every part of a motorcycle frame is under stress. All the parts are important and have a function.

You CANNOT learn to weld in just a few hours!

Go to www.weldingweb.com for your welding questions.

[Vinhead1957]

I have the Lincoln and I enjoy welding with it.  Read and practice before.  Try different joints before. I would put a drain  hole on the underside of the loop and find a rod stock that would fit inside the tubing to provide alignment as well as reinforcement for the joint.

[madScientist]

Get some flat sheet or angle iron and practice drawing beads on it to get your technique set. Then do some butt joints since that's essentially what you'll be doing on your hoop.

I have a Hobart Handler 450 that I've been welding with for years. Did most of the work on my bike with flux core so you should be fine there. Plus setting up for gas can be expensive if you dont have cylinders handy for exchange.

Dont rush to welding up your bike. Take a few days and get your technique straight.

To clarify you can't learn to be a professional or intermediate welder in a few hours...however in a day or so you CAN put down competent welds that will hold fine....they probably wont be pretty though.

[Djfob]

In no rush to finish the bike so I'm more then willing to put in whatever time I need to learn to weld properly. As long as it can be self taught with reading and research.

[Djfob]

I have the Lincoln and I enjoy welding with it.  Read and practice before.  Try different joints before. I would put a drain  hole on the underside of the loop and find a rod stock that would fit inside the tubing to provide alignment as well as reinforcement for the joint.

I've got frame slugs mocked up and fit tight

[70CB750]

Local college may be offering welding classes - something to consider too.  Helps with basics and also hands on different equipment and options.

[Djfob]

Local college may be offering welding classes - something to consider too.  Helps with basics and also hands on different equipment and options.

Funny you mention that, was just looking at a course outline from a community college. $239 for 12 hour course but doesn't start till Oct. Think I'll enroll.

[haredondo]

I say go for it. Welding is fun and it's a great skill to have!

[Nikkisixx]

Local college may be offering welding classes - something to consider too.  Helps with basics and also hands on different equipment and options.

Funny you mention that, was just looking at a course outline from a community college. $239 for 12 hour course but doesn't start till Oct. Think I'll enroll.

That is a great idea - you will have access to materials and equipment worth a lot more than $239.  In a lot of those courses you can bring in some of your own stuff so you might be able to weld your frame in class with really nice equipment and an instructor looking over your shoulder.   

[lucky]

Local college may be offering welding classes - something to consider too.  Helps with basics and also hands on different equipment and options.

Funny you mention that, was just looking at a course outline from a community college. $239 for 12 hour course but doesn't start till Oct. Think I'll enroll.

That class will last a lifetime and you will have the paper to prove it.
In beginning welding,one of the most important classes, you learn how to set up and turn oxy-actylene tanks on and off correctly. That can save your life.

[mono]

Local college may be offering welding classes - something to consider too.  Helps with basics and also hands on different equipment and options.

Funny you mention that, was just looking at a course outline from a community college. $239 for 12 hour course but doesn't start till Oct. Think I'll enroll.

That class will last a lifetime and you will have the paper to prove it.
In beginning welding,one of the most important classes, you learn how to set up and turn oxy-actylene tanks on and off correctly. That can save your life.

+1  if you have the money and time, those classes are great.  obviously you're going to learn way more hands-on from an experienced expert than you will from a book, and you'll have the advantage of learning the correct way 1st!     also i'm sure they provide plenty of test materials to weld on for practice.  maybe if you get good enough in the class they'd let you bring in the frame to weld the hoop onto.

[754]

I have to disagree. That every frame part carries stress.. Ie helmet hooks,horn mounts, the steering damper mounts under the neck on some for dampers never offered by the factory..and there is more..
 One could safely say though that most of it deals with a lot of stresses..

[kghost]

If you get a welder.....don't tell your friends.....


It's like owning a truck.....next you know people assume you are in the moving business

[754]

Do what I do..only tell your friends with cash or beer..that you got. Welder or lathe/mill...

[Powderman]

Our local tech college offers welding class that spans 4 nights at $80 per session. I'm going to take it.

[kghost]

Do what I do..only tell your friends with cash or beer..that you got. Welder or lathe/mill...

I've had problems with that.......

They show up with beer....then to be polite we have to drink one......

Then the welding looks like it was done by a 6 yr old with a crayon....

[Djfob]

I've had problems with that.......

They show up with beer....then to be polite we have to drink one......

Then the welding looks like it was done by a 6 yr old with a crayon....

I'm sure no one will be asking me to weld anything since my welds will look like that sober.

[goofy3392]

I have a copy of haynes welding manual on pdf. I could send you a copy if you wanted to start reading up on the lingo.

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[Djfob]

I have a copy of haynes welding manual on pdf. I could send you a copy if you wanted to start reading up on the lingo.

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Much appreciated!

hongchea@yahoo.ca

[goofy3392]

Np, ill send it early tomorrow morning, i work overnights. It's a decent manual, talks about oxy acetylene, mig, tig, stick welding and the types of joints and welds.

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[kghost]

The miller site has some great info.

Also videos

[Garage_guy_chris]

I have spent the last 10 or so years screwing around welding. i started off with a crappy 110v stick welder which was a pain but did make metal stick together. then i moved to a crappy 220v chicago electric flux mig welder. That worked decent but i could never get a good looking weld out of it, accompanied by a ton of spatter and the fumes were pretty bad. That little POS burned out in the middle of a home made dune buggy. At this point i had a slight clue what i was doing and lucked out finding a real machine in the form of a Miller 210. Along with this i invested in a tank and set it up to run gas. this was about 6 years ago since then i havent looked back that machine has paid for itself 10 times over building trailers and small repair work, and fixing my busted #$%* and building bikes.

The lincoln 180 is a good little machine long as your mindful of the duty cycle. they will do flux or upgrade to full gas overall a great little machine. although i would reccomend just starting with full gas

[lucky]

I have to disagree. That every frame part carries stress.. Ie helmet hooks,horn mounts, the steering damper mounts under the neck on some for dampers never offered by the factory..and there is more..
 One could safely say though that most of it deals with a lot of stresses..

OK...ok...MOST of it EXCEPT the helmet hook, but that helmet hook does have to hold the helmet. So then it is all of it is under stress.LOL..lol  Cheeeeessssshhhh!!!!

[70CB750]

If you can, buy self darkening helmet, don't waste money on a normal one.  The comfort level is something completely different.

Here is a bit of wisdom I read somewhere  - welding means to lead a puddle of melted metal - it helped me a lot to understand the concept of good weld.

[goofy3392]

If you can't afford a decent auto darkening helmet don't buy a cheap Chinese one.

When i first started production welding a few years ago i bought a cheap Chinese knock off for $30. After my first week of welding i got welder flash in my eyes so bad i couldn't open them in the daylight.  It had something to do with the reaction time in the helmet not darkening fast enough. Lesson learned i bought a miller elite after that and that is one tough helmet. Except for when i got it, it was DOA. But ever since i got my re placement back it has been a good helmet.

miller makes a hobby series helmet i do belIeve, i would probably go with that to start out with. Or just a solid glass non auto dimming since they're on the cheaper side.

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[Djfob]

Funny you mention that, I was just looking at some chinese auto darkening lids on eBay. Lid won't be seeing to much use and the reviews I've found online is it works fine for an occasional hobbyist. $40 free shipping, I guess you do get what you pay for but specs seem in line with brand name lids

ANSI an CE certied
1/25000 reaction time
9-13 shades

[Djfob]

Here is a bit of wisdom I read somewhere  - welding means to lead a puddle of melted metal - it helped me a lot to understand the concept of good weld.

This totally makes sense. I remember being this young kid thinking he's the s*#t. When I tried to build a downpipe for my turbo it looked like I blew snot on top of it. 10 years ago and haven't touched a welder since.

[Djfob]

The lincoln 180 is a good little machine long as your mindful of the duty cycle. they will do flux or upgrade to full gas overall a great little machine. although i would reccomend just starting with full gas

Really want to run gas but not sure I can justify the cost since it will not see much use at all. Gas bottles in Calgary are 3-400 filled, can't find any used bottles either. Really want to just do it once and right but cuts into bike parts fund.

[754]

I got a buddy in Calgary that welds and works on some bike stuff at his house..pm if you needthe number..

[Djfob]

I got a buddy in Calgary that welds and works on some bike stuff at his house..pm if you needthe number..

I needed someone mobile that could come to me

[goofy3392]

Funny you mention that, I was just looking at some chinese auto darkening lids on eBay. Lid won't be seeing to much use and the reviews I've found online is it works fine for an occasional hobbyist. $40 free shipping, I guess you do get what you pay for but specs seem in line with brand name lids

ANSI an CE certied
1/25000 reaction time
9-13 shades

I guess that helmet would work for the little amount you use it. Mine lasted about a week of heavy welding before that reaction time went way down to the point that it would flash my eyes when i started welding.  We don't mig weld either, we use accu-pulse so thats probably why it didn't last.

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[lucky]

I have spent the last 10 or so years screwing around welding. i started off with a crappy 110v stick welder which was a pain but did make metal stick together. then i moved to a crappy 220v chicago electric flux mig welder. That worked decent but i could never get a good looking weld out of it, accompanied by a ton of spatter and the fumes were pretty bad. That little POS burned out in the middle of a home made dune buggy. At this point i had a slight clue what i was doing and lucked out finding a real machine in the form of a Miller 210. Along with this i invested in a tank and set it up to run gas. this was about 6 years ago since then i havent looked back that machine has paid for itself 10 times over building trailers and small repair work, and fixing my busted #$%* and building bikes.

The lincoln 180 is a good little machine long as your mindful of the duty cycle. they will do flux or upgrade to full gas overall a great little machine. although i would reccomend just starting with full gas

That is refered to in the welding world as GMAW (with shielding gas).

[70CB750]

I got my shield from Northern tools and equipment, it is a night and day difference not to deal with the shield while welidng.

[Djfob]

I got my shield from Northern tools and equipment, it is a night and day difference not to deal with the shield while welidng.

Couldn't resist and ordered one of these. Dont want to deal with flipping the helmet up and down while trying to line up welds. Specs seem pretty good especially for the price.


http://www.amazon.com/Welding-Helmet-Flames-Skull-Auto-Darkening/dp/B005ST4T82