butt fit butt welded marker lamp install....

[chas350]

I just want to say this; when I was doing cab corners, rockers, a & b pillars, door skins etc. on my sons '71 this man (Earl) was very gracious with his time offering guidance and instruction and even offered his phone number to me telling me to call him anytime....I thank you again sir, your help made all the difference!


and, Earl, your work is awesome!

charlie

[greystoke]

x3, earl is as good as I've seen.

[dadsworktruck]

what is this, EARL's roast!! lol altho i have to say he is one class act....btw Earl read your PM!!

[kev2809]

amazing job! i wish i would have seen this before i did my patch work...i always have to use filler lol

[Shane]

earl ... always remember that jealousy is the most sincere form of flattery.

those that can do. those that can't ridicule.

[E-tek Restorations]

My mea culpa...

Firstly, to Earl, the rest of you and admin - truly sorry that any of you took my comments that way. That's the trouble with the 'net - too easy to type and take things the wrong way...

Secondly then, Let me say "LOUD and CLEAR": Earl is obviosuly a master metalworker and I have to say that even though I've done this for 30 years myself and grew up in a metal-working-only shop, I've rarely seen better work. I had just never seen anyone clean welds before photographing them is all. Nothing wrong with it I guess - if that's what you want to spend some time on. There's little doubt Earl cares about what he's doing and cares for his customers rides - it takes a lot of patience and dedication to metal-finish everything.

Lastly, I have a thread on this site too and I appreciate the positive nature of this board - so again, it was not my intention to trash Earl's work, or come off like I don't appreicate his workmanship. I'd be crazy not to and I'd be lying if I said I hadn't zoomed up the photo's to learn as much as I can from the work of a skilled technician.

Cheers.

[Liz]

E-tek
3 day suspension for signature rules violation. This is the 3rd time you have used your signature to advertise a business. That is reserved for site vendors only. Please review the site rules and guidelines on subscribing and vending. If you have any questions regarding that, feel free to contact a staff member.
Blatant disregard to other vendors is simply unacceptable.
Thank you.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Earl, ever tried acetylene welding panels with no filler rod?
Way back in welding school I got pretty good at it. If it weren't for the discoloration, you'd never find the seam. I never got the nerve to try it on a large panel because I would think since you have to get the metal hot enough to melt (because of no filler) you'd warp it.

[ebfabman]

Originally Posted by sevt_chevelle

Earl,
That's some really nice work metal finishing those MIG welds. MIG welds are a beast to metal finish.

Have you thought of using a TIG? Keep the pictures coming...Eric

Eric, yes I like to tig especially when doing bench repairs on things like fenders where you can access the back side. Tig isn't as "mobile" as mig for me. Over the years I've had to mig a lot more than tig so mig became the weld of choice when welding mild steel. you're right about the mig being hard to finish. Even though the mig weld is hardened, for me the haz is much smaller so it almost a toss up. Tig and oxy accet are quite a bit easier to to work but I've been able to get mig to work real good so it isn't too bad, as far as working is concerned, for me to work. I will say I think one key to getting a good finish when joining panels with any weld is fit.


"....I had just never seen anyone clean welds before photographing them is all. Nothing wrong with it I guess "

Etek, not really sure what you mean by this but I don't finish welds for the pics, I finish them because I want to make a good restored surface. I am guilty of taking pics before any primer get sprayed, but I guess I'm quirky in that way.


63 & 64 Bowties, see my reply to Eric. Back in high school during metal work classes (pre mig days) we would oxy/acet weld a lot. Later I got good at joining panels using a 000 tip. I liked it but got interested in mig and the rest is, as is said, history.

Had a long weekend of birthdays and football, should be getting back in the shop tomorrow so I'll get some more pics for you guys.......eb

[greystoke]

Earl when you make your tack about how long are you on the trigger. I was checking out how to videos on youtube and this instructor was saying to count one thousand one, one thousand two. This seems like a pretty long time for just tacking sheet metal.

[cokeb]

I'm no expert here, it all depends on the heat setting you are using on your welder, I use an old hobart 125, when I butt weld a patch I use my hottest setting and quick pull of the trigger gives me good penetration and a nice flat tack.

Craig

[StingRay]

Originally Posted by greystoke

Earl when you make your tack about how long are you on the trigger. I was checking out how to videos on youtube and this instructor was saying to count one thousand one, one thousand two. This seems like a pretty long time for just tacking sheet metal.

I'll chime in here. Like said every welder/weldor combination will be different. Take two scrap pieces and set them up with little to no gap. Make sure both sides are clean in the area to be welded. Try different set ups and trigger times. When you have a weld that just penetrates the back side with a little bump and the front side has a nice little weld and is prefreably in the flatter range than it is in the proud range of shape then you are set. At that point if you had a spot timer you could set that. Personally I judge by the color and size of the weld. You will get good at knowing you have a good spot weld after doing a few. I have found that the hot fast weld tends to be better for me and ends up with less distortion. You drive the weld through quickly and minimize the HAZ. It is also really easy to burn through though.

[Fat Mike]

Since your butt welds are coming out so good can you show a before and after picture of both the front and back before metal finishing. THANX!

[ebfabman]

Thank you cokecb and Stingray, good advise. My short answer is to play with your welder on scrap. Have your welder close enough so as you are running a bead you can adjust the heat and speed or have someone make adjustments for you as you're welding. Keep track of the settings and make notes. Keep doing this til you like what happens. Fine tune for the material you are welding. Its not hard, just takes practice

[ebfabman]

some progress...add the marker light and start cleaning up and this quarter should look ok...

[ebfabman]

another shot, never mind the junk in the background....

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by ebfabman

another shot, never mind the junk in the background....

Eh Boy...... :p LOL!

[dadsworktruck]

Thats ok earl, if you need me to come over and clear your driveway of that so called "junk" i will be right over, lol

[kev2809]

man thats amazing! nice work!

any more pics of the "junk"? lol

[truckdude239]

wow thats some good work!!

[ebfabman]

Fat Mike, I will take some pics of the marker lamp welds inside and out before I finish the panel. Maybe that will help.

[Fat Mike]

Thank you. All pictures that relate to welding and metal finishing are very helpful.

[steverino66]

Originally Posted by ebfabman

Fat Mike, I will take some pics of the marker lamp welds inside and out before I finish the panel. Maybe that will help.

I agree, that would be extremely helpful - I just refilled my little gas bottle after burning through the first one practicing, got some .025 easy grind wire for my next attempts, ready to make more messes - I'd be lost without you experts leading the way. Thanks.

[BLACK AND BLUE 67-72]

Keep it up!!!! Awesome work!!!

[ebfabman]

Here is a marker lamp install welded in before grinding and finishing. From this pic you can see why its necessary to grind and finish the welds. Its not done for the pictures but I do like to take and look at good photos.