On Mon, 29 Jul 2013, Darrell Walker wrote:
> 1. Is it reasonable to think that I could teach myself to weld well
> enough to do these jobs? I definitely don't want to make anything
> worse in attempting fix anything.
Unless you are in a hurry, absolutely. Get a welder, and some scrap
metal, and start practicing. Once you have the same problem consistently,
go to weldingweb.com and ask for help. Until you are consistent, there's
not much point. It just takes practice. I got a TIG a couple years ago,
and taught myself. Sticking metal together is easy, I did that on the
first day. Making it look professional is hard, I'm still working on
that.
> 2. What kind of equipment would be required? Would one of the inexpensive
> 110V welders be sufficient? Would a TIG matter over a flux wire-feed for
> these jobs?
It sounds like you are exclusively welding thin material, in which
case, a 110V machine will do that just fine. The operator is a far bigger
variable than the machine. You can get around 150 amps from a 110v
machine, and the rule of thumb is .001" steel thickness requires 1 amp.
More for aluminum and stainless, which doesn't seem relevant here.
As far as the process is concerned, I think everyone finds whatever
they learned first to be the easiest. Stick guys can weld anything with
a car battery and some jumper cables. Again, it's the Indian, not the
arrow. I find TIG easier than anything else, but that's only because it
is what I learned on, and what I practice. I hate MIG. Stick is fun,
but tricky. Again, all personal preference.
> 3. How much paint should be removed around the repair holes?
I would say a couple inches. You aren't going to be putting all that
much heat into it, just to patch a couple small holes, and you have to
watch the heat to avoid warping the material. When you practice, note
how far the Heat-Affected Zone ( HAZ ) spreads. Take off more paint than
that.
Have fun. Be aware that once you learn to weld, nothing is ever truly
broken again. It's just a question of whether you have the time and
desire to fix it ;)
--
David Hillman
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