NEWBIE WITHOUT A CLUE

[deks]

Hi there, Ive said hello elsewhere. I currently have a 1979 Lancia Spyder with a few holes in. I am embarking on a full restoration of the car and planning on doing everything myself including the welding. i bought a new Rtech 181 which I am very happy with. Now I embarking on teaching myself to weld and listening to others advice before I start on the car. Ive got some scrap pieces of metal to practice with

Here are my first attempts

 

[badabec]

Keep practicing, then try on an old body panel or two.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Welcome...

Keep practicing. More power, tighter arc length, looks like a bit of a weave in some of the welds, leave that out and just run straight beads for now. I found pushing the puddle was easier to learn with as you get a better view of what the front of the puddle is doing and how well it's wetting into the toes...when dragging by the time you see an issue its already happened.

 

[deks]

Welcome...

Keep practicing. More power, tighter arc length, looks like a bit of a weave in some of the welds, leave that out and just run straight beads for now. I found pushing the puddle was easier to learn with as you get a better view of what the front of the puddle is doing and how well it's wetting into the toes...when dragging by the time you see an issue its already happened.

thanks for the advice, I'll give that a try. yes you could say weaving. After the second go a friend said I needed to sweep as I welded which is what I was trying. Not sure what Ive done wrong today but using 2mm steel and burnt holes through a couple of times which I didnt do yesterday. Also warped the steel a fair bit. Daughter is going to get me some more scrap metal to practice with.

 

[dave h 2]

What Badabec said, think 79 Lancias are a little thinner than 2mm.

 

[deks]

What Badabec said, think 79 Lancias are a little thinner than 2mm.

A lot less than 2mm around 1mm if that thick. I am not overly worried on that as the Rtech 181 has an easy setting where you just put wire thickness and metal thickness in and it does the rest other than pull the trigger. just got to practice lots to get used to what I should be achieving.

 

[addjunkie]

Once youve leant to weld new decent steel, you then need to learn to weld rusty crusty thin steel. Its somewhat different. Then progress and learn to do it lying on your back with rust and crap falling on you. Once thats mastered start on the car. Id suggest visiting a scrap yard and buying some old car panels to butcher and practice on. Good luck.
This covers thin stuff quite well

Mig Welding Technique for Thin Metal

Techniques and a video showing how to weld thin metal using a stitching technique.

www.mig-welding.co.uk

 

[deks]

Once youve leant to weld new decent steel, you then need to learn to weld rusty crusty thin steel. Its somewhat different. Then progress and learn to do it lying on your back with rust and crap falling on you. Once thats mastered start on the car. Id suggest visiting a scrap yard and buying some old car panels to butcher and practice on. Good luck.
This covers thin stuff quite well

Mig Welding Technique for Thin Metal

Techniques and a video showing how to weld thin metal using a stitching technique.

www.mig-welding.co.uk

yes the welders at my daughters place said the same thing. As for lying on my back doing it unnecessary my car is sat on a rotating jig. I am actually not to concerned by the welding I am more worried about the fabricating the panels Ive got to put in as no panels exist for the model I have.

 

[deks]

just some of the bits I've got to fabricate and replace and a pic of the car.

 

[Dcal]

Take your time, work on one section at a time and you will get there.
There is nothing too difficult looking at the sections you have shown.
A vice and a hammer will sort most of them.
If both sides need a repair, tackle the worst side first and keep the better one intact for a reference.

Beta Coupe?

I'm fond of Lancias myself, I've a couple, a Delta and a Montecarlo, both in bits.
The Delta just needs built up, the Montecarlo is the next project for the spit, if I ever finish the Alfa 75 and the modern twin spark GTV I just acquired.
I've come to the conclusion I prefer fixing them to driving them and I prefer making and welding patches most of all.

 

[Superbad]

i bought a new Rtech 181

Wow!! They are expensive

 

[Superbad]

Not sure what Ive done wrong today but using 2mm steel and burnt holes through a couple of times which I didnt do yesterday.

That's the ballache of welding,you have to alter the power to suite the thinness of the metal,which you will find when welding the Spyder