Lftlesl@aol.com wrote:
>
> Dear list-
> Two questions. One - I need to do some welding on my TR3B, and have access to
> a gas welding outfit (I need to learn first, but I'm looking forward to it). I
> know there have been welding threads in the past, but I didn't keep them.
> So...
> Let's hear the gas vs. arc debate again (sorry if it's old news). Mapp gas is
> supposedly safer than acetylene - but does it get hot enough? Thanks for the
> input.
Generally I've found gas and stick a little more dificult than MIG (aka wire
feed),
but all it takes is practice. I've never done TIG, but I imagine it's about
like
gas.
If you mess up with an arc process, you might kill yourself.
If you mess up with gas, you could take out the whole block! (so you might as
well
do gas right ? ;-).
In both cases youd have to try pretty hard.
Arc processes also tend to be easier than gas on thick metals (but I bet you're
not welding 1/2 inch steel on your TR3!)
If you've never done any welding before, I'd suggest that you get someone who
has
to show you the ropes. At least what a neutral flame looks like and and what
a good puddle is.
If your going to buy a rig, the good thing about gas is you get cutting
capability pretty cheap too. I think I'd rather have a cheap gas unit
than a cheap arc welder, since a cheap arc welder will have low power and
only allow you to do short welds without stoping. The big advantage for
MIG and TIG is that you can weld stuff like stainless an aluminum easier.
The only MAPP torches I've used are the little throwaway can ones (without
oxy),
and all they seem to be good for is heating up those brake drums that weren't
convinced by a hammer. I don't think safty is a big factor. MAPP is
not shock sensative like acetylene is, but modern acetylene bottles are pretty
safe to carry around. Map bottles will be lighter.
Good luck
And as for dog legs, I like to keep them on the dog and away from
the torch ;-)
--
Reed Mideke rmideke@interbase.com
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