Posted by Winget on April 05, 1999 at 11:13:27:
In Reply to: Re: Need Advice on Purchasing an Oxy / Gas Torch Set posted by Gary on April 05, 1999 at 07:16:35:
Gary, I'm a self taught welder too. (infantry Officer by profession, but "who needs you" has forced me to other employment) The gass heating would tend to change the metals hardsness, allowing it to become softer in the welded area verses the original hardness of the steel. There are compounds you can apply to parts that you weld to retain the heat and increase the strength of the weld. The gentleman that welded by Disc Brake rotor plates on (even I know when to get professional experience) used Asbesto's (Danger!! Will Robinson!!! he's old and doesn't care, and I agree that with precautions asbesto's can be your friend) to shield the parts after welding. They stayed hot overnight from what he told me. i get deepest penetration (welding that is, ok guys) from the ARC weld, followed by the Mig. The gass takes too long for any thickness to heat up enough for a weld, and could become a braise if not enough heat is used. This makes it almost idea for small parts and sheetmetal, although you do have to watch for warping of sheet metal when torching. I used the torch to shrink out all the old dents (A talent lost that I regained through reading and practice. It makes the resto all that much better, as there is no bondo this way. Eastwood sells a Lead filler kit, and I would love to learn this skill, staying away from bondo forever. Time is money though, and good results can be achieved with Bondo if you know the techniques and follow the proper preparations. I've sidetracked the conversation, sorry. Glad to see another self taught restorationist out there. We will be the only ones to pass on the lost arts of real work one day. Regards Winget