motorcycle tank welding

[mig150]

hello all i am kinda new to welding i have used a mig before and had some success but i mainly used the arc my question is i have just started making motorcycle tanks and was wondering what kind of welder is best i dont have the funds for a tig so that is not an option i use a siegen 150 gas mig and was hoping this would be ok or do i need to go for oxy/accetaline or however you spell it.

 

[peterd51]

Hi,

alloy, alluminium, steel, etc? I take these are new, made by yourself, and not had fuel in them?

Mig welding would probably be OK but you may have to spend a bit more time with a grinder and flap disk to make it look good.

Regards
Peter

 

[fingers99]

Really depends how well the MIG copes with thin material. If we're talking steel.

If we're talking aluminium, A/C TIG or oxy/acetylene is the only way to go. Don't underestimate the skills required to make aluminium tanks for bikes -- they are extremely high.

 

[mig150]

hi and thanks for your reply's i am using steel for these tanks and yes i am making them myself takes a bit of thumping and planishing but well worth the work put in

 

[Rusty]

I reckon TIG is a must for a m/c tank and a DC TIG is not too expensive.

 

[fingers99]

You'd certainly get neater welds -- and more control -- with TIG. Also, TIG welds are generally easier to planish.

But -- and I'm not opening up that can of worms again -- I have successfully MIGed tanks back together after cutting them apart to beat back to shape.

See how the first one looks, pressure test it (with water!) take it from there. DC TIG sets suitable for the task from -- assuming the little Rehman kits are no longer out there -- around £300. Some even have a pulse setting.