How easy is it to tig weld?

[hotrodder]

If you to get a crude idea of the control needed with TIG grab yourself something like an M8 washer, pen and a sheet of paper. Using the pen in the centre hole of the washer move it along the paper without drawing on the paper or slipping out of the washer. That's kinda the control needed with regards to arc length... OK maybe a tad harder but then the paper isn't hot and you don't have a weldpool or filler wire to worry about.

Obviously with something like a rollcage you need to able to weld while groveling around on the floor/welding overhead etc. As Langy said the tubing alone won't be cheap and then there's the kit needed to bend it cleanly...

 

[langy]

In cornwall the air is salty anyway but it wont ever come in contact with sea water, but it might come in contact with rain ocasionaly.
Cheers James

If its good chrome it will be fine then, chrome bumpers etc etc get all sorts thrown at them and they stand up fine.

I'm only suggesting as the stainless is gonna be very spendy and then you need someone to weld it together for you, won't be cheap i'm afraid.

 

[langy]

If you to get a crude idea of the control needed with TIG grab yourself something like an M8 washer, pen and a sheet of paper. Using the pen in the centre hole of the washer move it along the paper without drawing on the paper or slipping out of the washer. That's kinda the control needed with regards to arc length... OK maybe a tad harder but then the paper isn't hot and you don't have a weldpool or filler wire to worry about.

Obviously with something like a rollcage you need to able to weld while groveling around on the floor/welding overhead etc. As Langy said the tubing alone won't be cheap and then there's the kit needed to bend it cleanly...

I always compare Tig welding to being a drummer, 2 arms and one leg working on seperate actions, like drumming some people can never master the art of Tig i'm afraid.

 

[Water skier 16]

Im asking for advice so advice from professionals is much appreciated! I completely forgot about chromed bumbers. I will look into chroming steel cds instead!
Cheers James

 

[langy]

Im asking for advice so advice from professionals is much appreciated! I completely forgot about chromed bumbers. I will look into chroming steel cds instead!
Cheers James

Depending on the complexity of the cage something like mine would be in the region of £1000 to plate properly, you would need to pre polish all the tube and flanges before welding, then polish the welds after, same as with stainless.

I was lucky as i got mine done for nothing as my mate is a chromer and i polish my own stuff.

Talking of chrome it will need to be triple plated, this means Copper, Nickel & Chrome anythng else will not last and not all chromers do all 3 processes.

 

[Water skier 16]

Depending on the complexity of the cage something like mine would be in the region of £1000 to plate properly, you would need to pre polish all the tube and flanges before welding, then polish the welds after, same as with stainless.

I was lucky as i got mine done for nothing as my mate is a chromer and i polish my own stuff.

Talking of chrome it will need to be triple plated, this means Copper, Nickel & Chrome anythng else will not last and not all chromers do all 3 processes.

Thanks for the heads up. It wont be that different from yours.
Cheers James

 

[jakecouling]

Well i'm sorry to say this, but as an apprentice should you really be advising ?

im passing on information i have been given thats all and information i use, i bet i can lay a weld as good as yours :P

 

[langy]

im passing on information i have been given thats all and information i use, i bet i can lay a weld as good as yours :P

 

[jakecouling]

i figured if the information was given to me to become better it would help him just as much?

 

[langy]

Thanks for the heads up. It wont be that different from yours.
Cheers James

I assume you will be using 1.625" x 1/8" wall tube, thats the norm, I only used 2" as its what was used back in the days i want to recreate.

 

[Water skier 16]

I assume you will be using 1.625" x 1/8" wall tube, thats the norm, I only used 2" as its what was used back in the days i want to recreate.

I will use whatever is standard roll cage tube size?
Cheer James

 

[langy]

I will use whatever is standard roll cage tube size?
Cheer James

You will also need a decent tube bender, something like a Hilmor, oh and a good quality tubing notcher.

 

[langy]

i figured if the information was given to me to become better it would help him just as much?

I don't mean to give you a hard time mate but I get fed up seeing people on here giving advice that they have never done in practise, I don't advise on brain surgery, Ive been told about it but not done it.

 

[Water skier 16]

You will also need a decent tube bender, something like a Hilmor, oh and a good quality tubing notcher.

I can use my dads mates equipment if i cut his fields for him, so will check out what equipment he has He was an engineer/ fabricator, the only thing he hasnt got is a working welder.
Cheers James

 

[langy]

I can use my dads mates equipment if i cut his fields for him, so will check out what equipment he has He was an engineer/ fabricator, the only thing he hasnt got is a working welder.
Cheers James

Tig would be the favourite but many cages have been built over the years with a Mig, just more work on cleanup.

 

[Wozzaaah]

im passing on information i have been given thats all and information i use, i bet i can lay a weld as good as yours :P

Not the best way to win friends on here Jake.
You're 15 and an apprentice, Langy builds some of the best hotrods in the country.
Check out his work, his sig says it all.

This is a great forum and from what you've posted so far I've no doubt you'll have lots of good advice to offer.
You may well be a good welder but please be careful with that attitude.

 

[Water skier 16]

Tig would be the favourite but many cages have been built over the years with a Mig, just more work on cleanup.

Ok thanks, i might paint in the colour of the bodywork and change the colour scheme inside to keep costs down but im still in the planning/ budgetting stages at the moment.
Cheers James

 

[langy]

Ok thanks, i might paint in the colour of the bodywork and change the colour scheme inside to keep costs down but im still in the planning/ budgetting stages at the moment.
Cheers James

If you possibly going to paint, you might want to consider powder coating.

 

[Water skier 16]

If you possibly going to paint, you might want to consider powder coating.

Im guessing it is cheaper than chroming?
Cheers James

 

[langy]

Im guessing it is cheaper than chroming?
Cheers James

Immensly !!! I'm trying not to be rude but are you aware of whats involved in the various processes ???