Welding Flex#12

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Darren 72

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 14, 2010
Messages
237
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Location
NH
My Car
1972 Mach 1
Scott or someone need help!

I'm not a welder or pretend to be one but am determined to learn on my 72. Welding the cowl hat on and making repairs to the lower cowl.

When I shine a light on the top of the patch that was butt welded in (and the hat) I noticed pin holes along the but weld. Will the Flex #12 seal all these? Do I have to worry about completely sealing up with the weld? The metal is not liking the MIG. It blows holes through the existing metal and was beginning to become a problem. I finally got it where it looks half way decent but am concerned about the pin holes along the joint. I did try to eliminate every hole by re-welding and grinding again but the metal is starting to get sensitive to the heat. I'm using 18 gauge on the butt welded patches. I was tacking properly and not running beads to cut down on heat.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I assume you checked to make sure you have enough gas for the mig welder. That might be a reason for bad welds. Also if the rust has gone through completely it is very hard to do a good weld. If it looks pretty solid I don't think you will have to much trouble. Just make sure the pin holes are well sealed up with whatever prep you will do before painting. Or else the rust will just come right back.

 
Scott or someone need help!

I'm not a welder or pretend to be one but am determined to learn on my 72. Welding the cowl hat on and making repairs to the lower cowl.

When I shine a light on the top of the patch that was butt welded in (and the hat) I noticed pin holes along the but weld. Will the Flex #12 seal all these? Do I have to worry about completely sealing up with the weld? The metal is not liking the MIG. It blows holes through the existing metal and was beginning to become a problem. I finally got it where it looks half way decent but am concerned about the pin holes along the joint. I did try to eliminate every hole by re-welding and grinding again but the metal is starting to get sensitive to the heat. I'm using 18 gauge on the butt welded patches. I was tacking properly and not running beads to cut down on heat.
D..run a bead of the flexo on the weld line AFTER YOU RUST BULLET..before you flexo over the rust bullet scratch the area with a red scuff pad..It will seal your small pinholes..If your blowing through the joint with the welder try taking a piece of copper(I use a piece of 3/4" copper pipe flattened) behind the joint to back it up as you weld..You may need 2 people 1 to hold the copper with a vise grip ..also try the lowest setting on the welder & reduce the wire speed some...faster speed requires more heat

 
Yes I agree with Scott, lower your heat and speed on the welder. Also use the copper backing. if it is blowing one peace more then the other it is because it is thinner metal (rusted and will not take the same heat) focus the weld on the better metal, make sure ALL rust is GONE!!!!!! before welding. Mig does not do well with rust at all it makes it much harder to weld. Do a pulse weld ( just one small shot at a time) Good question!!

Good luck and please let us know how you make out!!

 
What rust does is aislate the metal sheet.. that´s why your MIG does not do a good job... It can also happen that the MIG ground is not propperly linked to the car...

I´m not a professional on MIG either but i use it a lot... Very important is to take time to propperly set it up for the job you´re about to do... Me for example, i have a big MIG, very powerful because i weld tools we broke on the factory and stuff... my MIG welds better on 1/4" thick metal than on every thinner one... in fact, i cannot weld in less than 1/22" metal sheets...

When I do a weld on the car, I always go to the minimun power, average gas (i use MIG20 gas mixture) and a medium speed to start...I prectice how it welds outside the car in any piece of metal that is going to the trash anyway... I move the power and the speed untill the weld sounds... actual sound good... It doesn´t have to "spit".. the weld have to be clean and shinny... If you turn your welded piece upside down you have to see some heat burn arround the welded surface but no holes of that burn..

It´s at least, my way to go when i´m welding... Be aware that rust tend to make the metal thinner and that can cause holes too... The ideal is to weld with virgin metal... welding where rust has never acted...

Hope it helps!

 
I assume you checked to make sure you have enough gas for the mig welder. That might be a reason for bad welds. Also if the rust has gone through completely it is very hard to do a good weld. If it looks pretty solid I don't think you will have to much trouble. Just make sure the pin holes are well sealed up with whatever prep you will do before painting. Or else the rust will just come right back.
Thanks. The gas was full. Running between 20 and 30 cfh



Scott or someone need help!

I'm not a welder or pretend to be one but am determined to learn on my 72. Welding the cowl hat on and making repairs to the lower cowl.

When I shine a light on the top of the patch that was butt welded in (and the hat) I noticed pin holes along the but weld. Will the Flex #12 seal all these? Do I have to worry about completely sealing up with the weld? The metal is not liking the MIG. It blows holes through the existing metal and was beginning to become a problem. I finally got it where it looks half way decent but am concerned about the pin holes along the joint. I did try to eliminate every hole by re-welding and grinding again but the metal is starting to get sensitive to the heat. I'm using 18 gauge on the butt welded patches. I was tacking properly and not running beads to cut down on heat.
D..run a bead of the flexo on the weld line AFTER YOU RUST BULLET..before you flexo over the rust bullet scratch the area with a red scuff pad..It will seal your small pinholes..If your blowing through the joint with the welder try taking a piece of copper(I use a piece of 3/4" copper pipe flattened) behind the joint to back it up as you weld..You may need 2 people 1 to hold the copper with a vise grip ..also try the lowest setting on the welder & reduce the wire speed some...faster speed requires more heat
Thanks Scott...I was running at the A setting on the welder. I will back the speed down. I was running around 3 on the speed. I have one of those Home Depot Lincoln welders.



Yes I agree with Scott, lower your heat and speed on the welder. Also use the copper backing. if it is blowing one peace more then the other it is because it is thinner metal (rusted and will not take the same heat) focus the weld on the better metal, make sure ALL rust is GONE!!!!!! before welding. Mig does not do well with rust at all it makes it much harder to weld. Do a pulse weld ( just one small shot at a time) Good question!!

Good luck and please let us know how you make out!!
Thanks for the concerns and help. I'm learning on this beast. Tough metal to be learning on. It's so thin. I have been heating up weld on the new matal patch and trying to carry over the tack to the old metal. I'm not sure why there so many pin holes. Maybe I'm not getting the tacks close enough. IT looks good before I grind. It seems like the welds are not getting into the seams and I'm grinding the surface off exposing the seams again. If I try to get into the seam directly, I am scared it's going to blow through the metal again. Every time I do it again there is even less metal due to grinding.

When you weld a patch in, should there be no holes at all or is it common and thats why they make a sealer? My biggest fear is after all this struggle and time the things going to leak. I'm going to take Scott's advice and do 2 coats of rust bullet, then the flex 12, and finally the rust bullet black shell. Probably 2 coats of that also. I'm hoping everything will seal with all this.



What rust does is aislate the metal sheet.. that´s why your MIG does not do a good job... It can also happen that the MIG ground is not propperly linked to the car...

I´m not a professional on MIG either but i use it a lot... Very important is to take time to propperly set it up for the job you´re about to do... Me for example, i have a big MIG, very powerful because i weld tools we broke on the factory and stuff... my MIG welds better on 1/4" thick metal than on every thinner one... in fact, i cannot weld in less than 1/22" metal sheets...

When I do a weld on the car, I always go to the minimun power, average gas (i use MIG20 gas mixture) and a medium speed to start...I prectice how it welds outside the car in any piece of metal that is going to the trash anyway... I move the power and the speed untill the weld sounds... actual sound good... It doesn´t have to "spit".. the weld have to be clean and shinny... If you turn your welded piece upside down you have to see some heat burn arround the welded surface but no holes of that burn..

It´s at least, my way to go when i´m welding... Be aware that rust tend to make the metal thinner and that can cause holes too... The ideal is to weld with virgin metal... welding where rust has never acted...

Hope it helps!
Thanks..Appreciate the advice. Every bit helps. I'm not that good when it comes time to calibrate the speed and heat before welding. I couldn't weld on the B setting on my welder so I went to the A. That was a no brainer. B setting was blowing through everything. The speed I changed but never got a good feeling about what was right or wrong. I am running it on 3 and may try to turn it down. If the weld is spitting back what does it mean? I'm sure it's a clue of what I should do concerning the settings but I'm ignorant to the fact.

The car came apart so quickly but now everything is proceeding at a snail's pace. My car buddies want my car back on the road this summer and they are putting pressure on me to get it done..lol. Not sure if I can get it back together before the summer. I'm getting impatient and constantly remind myself that I have to slow down and be patient. I don't really have much help. It's hard when you need a second set of hands. Thank God for this forum and all the guys that are willing to help out!

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks..Appreciate the advice. Every bit helps. I'm not that good when it comes time to calibrate the speed and heat before welding. I couldn't weld on the B setting on my welder so I went to the A. That was a no brainer. B setting was blowing through everything. The speed I changed but never got a good feeling about what was right or wrong. I am running it on 3 and may try to turn it down. If the weld is spitting back what does it mean? I'm sure it's a clue of what I should do concerning the settings but I'm ignorant to the fact.

The car came apart so quickly but now everything is proceeding at a snail's pace. My car buddies want my car back on the road this summer and they are putting pressure on me to get it done..lol. Not sure if I can get it back together before the summer. I'm getting impatient and constantly remind myself that I have to slow down and be patient. I don't really have much help. It's hard when you need a second set of hands. Thank God for this forum and all the guys that are willing to help out!

D..I think your running too much gas ...should be between 12-15..I never look at the gas or speed setting only heat ONCE I'm dialed in..The best way I have found is to do it by ear & sight..Start at 12 on the gas..low on the heat..grab a piece of scrap metal..Lay a bead & as your welding turn the speed up or down till it sounds like bacon frying..Get close then do the same thing with gas...Works for me..Also are you laying the tip of the welder at a slight angle ? If not you should be...Also your ground should be as close as possible to where your welding....025 wire size(wire size will make a huge difference!!! thicker wire=more heat) & nozzle gel before every welding session...try the above

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks..Appreciate the advice. Every bit helps. I'm not that good when it comes time to calibrate the speed and heat before welding. I couldn't weld on the B setting on my welder so I went to the A. That was a no brainer. B setting was blowing through everything. The speed I changed but never got a good feeling about what was right or wrong. I am running it on 3 and may try to turn it down. If the weld is spitting back what does it mean? I'm sure it's a clue of what I should do concerning the settings but I'm ignorant to the fact.

The car came apart so quickly but now everything is proceeding at a snail's pace. My car buddies want my car back on the road this summer and they are putting pressure on me to get it done..lol. Not sure if I can get it back together before the summer. I'm getting impatient and constantly remind myself that I have to slow down and be patient. I don't really have much help. It's hard when you need a second set of hands. Thank God for this forum and all the guys that are willing to help out!

D..I think your running too much gas ...should be between 12-15..I never look at the gas or speed setting only heat ONCE I'm dialed in..The best way I have found is to do it by ear & sight..Start at 12 on the gas..low on the heat..grab a piece of scrap metal..Lay a bead & as your welding turn the speed up or down till it sounds like bacon frying..Get close then do the same thing with gas...Works for me..Also are you laying the tip of the welder at a slight angle ? If not you should be...Also your ground should be as close as possible to where your welding....025 wire size(wire size will make a huge difference!!! thicker wire=more heat) & nozzle gel before every welding session...try the above

SCott,

That's the exact question I asked the local restoration car shop in the area. They said the .030 or .035 was fine. I thought the same thing about the wire. I am going to change it out and see what the difference is. On the gas it is 12 cfh or 12 l/min. I am using the cfh at about 25 which is approx 12 l/min.

You got me on nozzle gel?

I am setting on lowest speed and running a bead w/o gas? When it sounds like bacon frying I then do it again with gas on maybe around 12?

Where does the speed come in on this test. You mentioned before that I should turn down the speed. I have been running around 3. I was going to try and run it lower. If I change wire everything I have been doing may change so I guess the speed may change and I may be fine where it is.

Thanks Scott. I probably owe you a few beers at this point. Thanks again.

 
Thanks..Appreciate the advice. Every bit helps. I'm not that good when it comes time to calibrate the speed and heat before welding. I couldn't weld on the B setting on my welder so I went to the A. That was a no brainer. B setting was blowing through everything. The speed I changed but never got a good feeling about what was right or wrong. I am running it on 3 and may try to turn it down. If the weld is spitting back what does it mean? I'm sure it's a clue of what I should do concerning the settings but I'm ignorant to the fact.

The car came apart so quickly but now everything is proceeding at a snail's pace. My car buddies want my car back on the road this summer and they are putting pressure on me to get it done..lol. Not sure if I can get it back together before the summer. I'm getting impatient and constantly remind myself that I have to slow down and be patient. I don't really have much help. It's hard when you need a second set of hands. Thank God for this forum and all the guys that are willing to help out!
D..I think your running too much gas ...should be between 12-15..I never look at the gas or speed setting only heat ONCE I'm dialed in..The best way I have found is to do it by ear & sight..Start at 12 on the gas..low on the heat..grab a piece of scrap metal..Lay a bead & as your welding turn the speed up or down till it sounds like bacon frying..Get close then do the same thing with gas...Works for me..Also are you laying the tip of the welder at a slight angle ? If not you should be...Also your ground should be as close as possible to where your welding....025 wire size(wire size will make a huge difference!!! thicker wire=more heat) & nozzle gel before every welding session...try the above

SCott,

That's the exact question I asked the local restoration car shop in the area. They said the .030 or .035 was fine. I thought the same thing about the wire. I am going to change it out and see what the difference is. On the gas it is 12 cfh or 12 l/min. I am using the cfh at about 25 which is approx 12 l/min.

You got me on nozzle gel?

I am setting on lowest speed and running a bead w/o gas? When it sounds like bacon frying I then do it again with gas on maybe around 12?

Where does the speed come in on this test. You mentioned before that I should turn down the speed. I have been running around 3. I was going to try and run it lower. If I change wire everything I have been doing may change so I guess the speed may change and I may be fine where it is.

Thanks Scott. I probably owe you a few beers at this point. Thanks again.

Just mark your settings with a piece of tape & a marker..This way you can always come back.. 12 cfh...1--set gas first..then set wire as your testing..get close to bacon sound...then play with gas to dial it in...If your using 030..035..I bet thats your problem..Nozzle gelhttp://www.newmetalworker.com/Reviews/lncnzlgelrvu.html

D..watch the video on this page...http://www.newmetalworker.com/Howto/migwirespd.html

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks..Appreciate the advice. Every bit helps. I'm not that good when it comes time to calibrate the speed and heat before welding. I couldn't weld on the B setting on my welder so I went to the A. That was a no brainer. B setting was blowing through everything. The speed I changed but never got a good feeling about what was right or wrong. I am running it on 3 and may try to turn it down. If the weld is spitting back what does it mean? I'm sure it's a clue of what I should do concerning the settings but I'm ignorant to the fact.

The car came apart so quickly but now everything is proceeding at a snail's pace. My car buddies want my car back on the road this summer and they are putting pressure on me to get it done..lol. Not sure if I can get it back together before the summer. I'm getting impatient and constantly remind myself that I have to slow down and be patient. I don't really have much help. It's hard when you need a second set of hands. Thank God for this forum and all the guys that are willing to help out!
D..I think your running too much gas ...should be between 12-15..I never look at the gas or speed setting only heat ONCE I'm dialed in..The best way I have found is to do it by ear & sight..Start at 12 on the gas..low on the heat..grab a piece of scrap metal..Lay a bead & as your welding turn the speed up or down till it sounds like bacon frying..Get close then do the same thing with gas...Works for me..Also are you laying the tip of the welder at a slight angle ? If not you should be...Also your ground should be as close as possible to where your welding....025 wire size(wire size will make a huge difference!!! thicker wire=more heat) & nozzle gel before every welding session...try the above
SCott,

That's the exact question I asked the local restoration car shop in the area. They said the .030 or .035 was fine. I thought the same thing about the wire. I am going to change it out and see what the difference is. On the gas it is 12 cfh or 12 l/min. I am using the cfh at about 25 which is approx 12 l/min.

You got me on nozzle gel?

I am setting on lowest speed and running a bead w/o gas? When it sounds like bacon frying I then do it again with gas on maybe around 12?

Where does the speed come in on this test. You mentioned before that I should turn down the speed. I have been running around 3. I was going to try and run it lower. If I change wire everything I have been doing may change so I guess the speed may change and I may be fine where it is.

Thanks Scott. I probably owe you a few beers at this point. Thanks again.

Just mark your settings with a piece of tape & a marker..This way you can always come back.. 12 cfh...1--set gas first..then set wire as your testing..get close to bacon sound...then play with gas to dial it in...If your using 030..035..I bet thats your problem..Nozzle gelhttp://www.newmetalworker.com/Reviews/lncnzlgelrvu.html

D..watch the video on this page...http://www.newmetalworker.com/Howto/migwirespd.html

Got it...Thanks

 
Thanks..Appreciate the advice. Every bit helps. I'm not that good when it comes time to calibrate the speed and heat before welding. I couldn't weld on the B setting on my welder so I went to the A. That was a no brainer. B setting was blowing through everything. The speed I changed but never got a good feeling about what was right or wrong. I am running it on 3 and may try to turn it down. If the weld is spitting back what does it mean? I'm sure it's a clue of what I should do concerning the settings but I'm ignorant to the fact.

The car came apart so quickly but now everything is proceeding at a snail's pace. My car buddies want my car back on the road this summer and they are putting pressure on me to get it done..lol. Not sure if I can get it back together before the summer. I'm getting impatient and constantly remind myself that I have to slow down and be patient. I don't really have much help. It's hard when you need a second set of hands. Thank God for this forum and all the guys that are willing to help out!
D..I think your running too much gas ...should be between 12-15..I never look at the gas or speed setting only heat ONCE I'm dialed in..The best way I have found is to do it by ear & sight..Start at 12 on the gas..low on the heat..grab a piece of scrap metal..Lay a bead & as your welding turn the speed up or down till it sounds like bacon frying..Get close then do the same thing with gas...Works for me..Also are you laying the tip of the welder at a slight angle ? If not you should be...Also your ground should be as close as possible to where your welding....025 wire size(wire size will make a huge difference!!! thicker wire=more heat) & nozzle gel before every welding session...try the above

SCott,

That's the exact question I asked the local restoration car shop in the area. They said the .030 or .035 was fine. I thought the same thing about the wire. I am going to change it out and see what the difference is. On the gas it is 12 cfh or 12 l/min. I am using the cfh at about 25 which is approx 12 l/min.

You got me on nozzle gel?

I am setting on lowest speed and running a bead w/o gas? When it sounds like bacon frying I then do it again with gas on maybe around 12?

Where does the speed come in on this test. You mentioned before that I should turn down the speed. I have been running around 3. I was going to try and run it lower. If I change wire everything I have been doing may change so I guess the speed may change and I may be fine where it is.

Thanks Scott. I probably owe you a few beers at this point. Thanks again.

If the weld is spitting back at you and making what looks like little volcanoes, that means there is still contamination there (rust/paint). since you are welding a seam it is probably in the seam where you can not see( in side or back side of it) If that is it that is why you are getting your pin holes. you need to get the rust, paint, dirt/grease out before welding.

 
I just learned a lot about welding from reading this thread thanks guys!
Any time, Just ask!! I will try to weld an example of what I think is happening here and post it in here. I tried today but the welds came out good so I could not use them. ( metal was still too new) I will do a new one in the morning so I can show it.

 
Darren 72,

I ran some welds to see if I could get what you are getting. Just wondering if any of these 4 welds look like what you are getting.

mustang leveling#1 010.JPG

 
Yes I agree with Scott, lower your heat and speed on the welder. Also use the copper backing. if it is blowing one peace more then the other it is because it is thinner metal (rusted and will not take the same heat) focus the weld on the better metal, make sure ALL rust is GONE!!!!!! before welding. Mig does not do well with rust at all it makes it much harder to weld. Do a pulse weld ( just one small shot at a time) Good question!!

Good luck and please let us know how you make out!!
What is copper backing or aluminum baking?

 
Yes I agree with Scott, lower your heat and speed on the welder. Also use the copper backing. if it is blowing one peace more then the other it is because it is thinner metal (rusted and will not take the same heat) focus the weld on the better metal, make sure ALL rust is GONE!!!!!! before welding. Mig does not do well with rust at all it makes it much harder to weld. Do a pulse weld ( just one small shot at a time) Good question!!

Good luck and please let us know how you make out!!
What is copper backing or aluminum baking?
It is where you hold a piece of copper or aluminum like 1/4" thick on the back side of the hole you are trying to welded. that helps you fill the hole.

 
Yes I agree with Scott, lower your heat and speed on the welder. Also use the copper backing. if it is blowing one peace more then the other it is because it is thinner metal (rusted and will not take the same heat) focus the weld on the better metal, make sure ALL rust is GONE!!!!!! before welding. Mig does not do well with rust at all it makes it much harder to weld. Do a pulse weld ( just one small shot at a time) Good question!!

Good luck and please let us know how you make out!!
What is copper backing or aluminum baking?
It is where you hold a piece of copper or aluminum like 1/4" thick on the back side of the hole you are trying to welded. that helps you fill the hole.
Ahh I see. I've never welded up a hole...just joined stuff together. Still pretty new at MIG welding.

 
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