Weld it up?

[Bren]

When I did my SD1 my neighbours were one of my main concerns - grinding etc generally done during the day.

Fire extinguishers? One in each corner of the garage.

Make no mistake - it's a dying art.

[DSdriver]

As noted, it is best that welding is done some distance from your house or workshop... my DS was done in Poland 😃

[Stinkwheel]

  On 08/12/2024 at 16:20, cort16 said:

I used to get the shits welding up some old heap in my lockup knowing the lockup next door contained a 911 GT3 rally car.

Once I stopped welding i'd stay for at least half an hour to make sure nothing was smouldering away.

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This.

My old place of works previous workshop was set up for welding/grinding etc

The insurance stipulated that after any hot work, someone must be on site for at least an hour afterwards in case of a flare up

[horriblemercedes]

Despite all this, I'm no too far from @Dobloseven and I'd be curious to hear if there is any more info about the garage

[GregZX]

I've been on a welding course at college for the past 16 weeks but you bastards are putting me right off. I've asked Santa for a cheap little Draper so I can get practising on dry days in the new year.

My ZX needs a small patch on the inner wing and another small repair on the NSF chassis rail for the MOT in July. Nothing too major as I've kept right on top of the bodywork but now I'm worrying about setting the bloody thing on fire!!!!🤪

[Marina door handles]

  On 09/12/2024 at 20:04, GregZX said:

I've been on a welding course at college for the past 16 weeks but you bastards are putting me right off. I've asked Santa for a cheap little Draper so I can get practising on dry days in the new year.

My ZX needs a small patch on the inner wing and another small repair on the NSF chassis rail for the MOT in July. Nothing too major as I've kept right on top of the bodywork but now I'm worrying about setting the bloody thing on fire!!!!🤪

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Just take sensible precautions... Like make sure carpet,  proofing  and any wiring is pulled up well out the way and try and dig out any seam sealer. You will be welding slowly on thin car body steel, so just keep stopping and checking. Keep sand/bucket of water/ a good extinguisher handy. Generally the heat from welding will quickly dissipate through the cars body.

Also keep an eye out for flamable things that aren't on the car, like oily rags that could go up. I a managed to set fire to a rag that had white spirits on it from another DIY job, that was a bit of  scare! 

[sierraman]

  On 09/12/2024 at 20:04, GregZX said:

I've been on a welding course at college for the past 16 weeks but you bastards are putting me right off. I've asked Santa for a cheap little Draper so I can get practising on dry days in the new year.

My ZX needs a small patch on the inner wing and another small repair on the NSF chassis rail for the MOT in July. Nothing too major as I've kept right on top of the bodywork but now I'm worrying about setting the bloody thing on fire!!!!🤪

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Assuming it’s gasless if it’s outside, they’re pretty handy in the respect you aren’t limited to working indoors unless it’s a still day. For knocking 2mm together and round the garden general jobs they’re good. 

[chaseracer]

  On 09/12/2024 at 20:04, GregZX said:

I've been on a welding course at college for the past 16 weeks but you bastards are putting me right off. I've asked Santa for a cheap little Draper so I can get practising on dry days in the new year.

My ZX needs a small patch on the inner wing and another small repair on the NSF chassis rail for the MOT in July. Nothing too major as I've kept right on top of the bodywork but now I'm worrying about setting the bloody thing on fire!!!!🤪

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@Talbot can advise... 😁😉

[Scruffy Bodger]

  On 09/12/2024 at 20:35, sierraman said:

Assuming it’s gasless if it’s outside, they’re pretty handy in the respect you aren’t limited to working indoors unless it’s a still day. For knocking 2mm together and round the garden general jobs they’re good. 

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For spotting vehicles together outside some sort of wind break can be handy if there's a breeze.  You'd be surprised how much difference it makes shielding the weld with your spare hand in a gauntlet to stop it being porous too. You can also turn the gas up a touch if you really have to. I've welded plenty outside in the wind and rain with a MIG.

[goosey]

  On 08/12/2024 at 16:17, goosey said:

The lad who replaced the outer and inner sills on my Jeep charged me £100 a day for his labour, I paid for all materials and had to strip and remove doors myself.

he just does roll cages and chassis repairs now, says it much easier than bodywork 

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To add to this, I have all the equipment and like to think I could have done a better job myself buuuuut by the time I would have gone around to it the car would have been rotten into the ground and too far gone to do anything with 

[Imhotep]

You’re right regarding the lack of places wanting to do it mind. It’s why my AX GT has been off the road so long, needs a rear quarter, sills and inner wings doing, and I’m expecting 4 digits so not lowballing, but I can’t even find anyone who will entertain the job. 
 

Shameless plug, if there’s any welders on here please speak to me. I would love to get my car back on the road.

[Burnside]

  On 09/12/2024 at 20:21, Marina door handles said:

Just take sensible precautions... Like make sure carpet,  proofing  and any wiring is pulled up well out the way and try and dig out any seam sealer. You will be welding slowly on thin car body steel, so just keep stopping and checking. Keep sand/bucket of water/ a good extinguisher handy. Generally the heat from welding will quickly dissipate through the cars body.

Also keep an eye out for flamable things that aren't on the car, like oily rags that could go up. I a managed to set fire to a rag that had white spirits on it from another DIY job, that was a bit of  scare! 

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Couldn't agree more. My Dad had his Combo rear sill welded by the local village idiot garage { Despite us warning him not to take it there ] after they failed it on the Mot. Didn't strip out the rear ply lining etc beforehand and surprise they managed to set his Van on fire!

Thankfully the fire was put out fairly quickly and the Van survives. { Just passed it's Mot Monday ] After my Brother got involved they sent it to a bodyshop who put the paint damage right and the person who caused it decided to wisely retire.

 

[sierraman]

75% of the job is the preparation, if you can get that done then ring a mobile welder. Be prepared to fit round better jobs though… 

[danthecapriman]

  On 10/12/2024 at 17:31, sierraman said:

75% of the job is the preparation, if you can get that done then ring a mobile welder. Be prepared to fit round better jobs though… 

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This.

Tbh, it’s always surprised me with people on here how many don’t actually do welding themselves. That’s not a criticism btw. 
I just find it odd that you can live in such a wet country and like old cars but don’t weld?? Maybe it’s because I do and just see it different?

What actually is it about welding that puts people off doing it themselves?
Is it the time? Money/investment in tools etc? Not keen on learning how to do it?

Ive always seen it as a ‘must’ if you have old stuff and it is a great skill to have. Needn’t be difficult to learn either for just doing a bit on cars now & then.

[sierraman]

  On 10/12/2024 at 18:00, danthecapriman said:

This.

Tbh, it’s always surprised me with people on here how many don’t actually do welding themselves. That’s not a criticism btw. 
I just find it odd that you can live in such a wet country and like old cars but don’t weld?? Maybe it’s because I do and just see it different?

What actually is it about welding that puts people off doing it themselves?
Is it the time? Money/investment in tools etc? Not keen on learning how to do it?

Ive always seen it as a ‘must’ if you have old stuff and it is a great skill to have. Needn’t be difficult to learn either for just doing a bit on cars now & then.

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I started welding, it’s quite a satisfying and occasionally useful hobby. I’m pretty dreadful at it but I’ve not had anything fall apart yet. That said it’s one thing fabricating something up from new good quality steel on a bench and quite another laid at an acute angle welding feet from a fuel tank as the sparks rain down all over your face. 
 

Im a bad welder but a good grinder as I think the term goes…

[2flags]

I think the main problem is time and facilities. There is a world of difference if you have someone with a garage, or even better, a barn, then fantastic. You have somewhere out of the wind and rain. When you are trying to do it on your driveway, or even worse, in the street, on your day off, you can guarantee that if it is nice then, not unreasonably, the wife and kids want to go to the beach/park/see relatives. When the day is free and there are no family plans, then you can guarantee that 'Storm Arsehole' is barrelling through the neighbourhood, bringing with it wheely bins, fence panels, trampolines or sheds. Good luck welding in that!  

[angle]

  On 08/12/2024 at 09:58, danthecapriman said:

Tbh, it’s probably a nice idea of a business but as usual in the UK it’ll be stifled by red tape, excessive costs and wankers in suits who know nothing about the actual subject stopping you and constantly throwing obstacles in your way…     
Ideas are great and all but it’s all for nothing in a cuntry like ours.

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  On 08/12/2024 at 13:50, danthecapriman said:

I flicked the visor up to be greeted by a roaring fire on my sweatshirt, all down one arm and down my side!! Luckily it had not gone through the t shirt I had on underneath it, but if I hadn’t noticed it would very quickly got very nasty.

It’s funny now, but at the time it was a very close call that could have ended in serious burns and damage. All I lost was the sweatshirt and thankfully the car wasn’t damaged.

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Have to admit, I'm quite intrigued as to what's in the gap between 'you can't even do welding any more, its health and safety gone mad!' and 'yeah, set myself on fire once doing welding'

[loserone]

A bit less than three hours.

[danthecapriman]

  On 10/12/2024 at 18:41, 2flags said:

I think the main problem is time and facilities. There is a world of difference if you have someone with a garage, or even better, a barn, then fantastic. You have somewhere out of the wind and rain. When you are trying to do it on your driveway, or even worse, in the street, on your day off, you can guarantee that if it is nice then, not unreasonably, the wife and kids want to go to the beach/park/see relatives. When the day is free and there are no family plans, then you can guarantee that 'Storm Arsehole' is barrelling through the neighbourhood, bringing with it wheely bins, fence panels, trampolines or sheds. Good luck welding in that!  

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All true. 
Although I would say, when I started doing welding I had no garage or barn. Everything was done on the driveway, weather dependent obviously. Even now I’ve got a garage I still do welding outside (with a gas MIG) just so the garage doesn’t get messy/set on fire etc.

I actually love doing the welding bit! I find it quite therapeutic in a strange way! I don’t mind making panels up but the horrible bit is cutting away all the mess and making good to start with. Maybe that bit is the bit that doesn’t appeal? 
Id probably say tbh, if there’s one thing everyone into old(er) cars should promise themselves to learn (new year resolution??) is welding. I don’t think anyone would regret it.

[danthecapriman]

  On 10/12/2024 at 18:47, angle said:

 

Have to admit, I'm quite intrigued as to what's in the gap between 'you can't even do welding any more, its health and safety gone mad!' and 'yeah, set myself on fire once doing welding'

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🤣 true enough!

Although in fairness I don’t think your really supposed to be doing things like hot work wearing jeans/T shirt/Sweatshirt… in a way me doing that the way I was was asking for trouble eventually. 
It’s a bit like all these people you see doing grinding with no eye protection on. You’ll probably be ok most of the time until that one time you’re not.

Fire retardant overalls are the right thing to wear. 

[loserone]

  On 10/12/2024 at 18:57, danthecapriman said:

Fire retardant overalls are the right thing to wear. 

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Not tucked into riggers

[The Old Bloke Next Door]

Budget Land Rover series three restoration, chassis work completed over two weekends with an assistant.

You will note that although I had a workshop at the time, the welding was done outside, too many flammable items in the workshop that could be ignited by a stray sparks shower.

Fortunately the chassis didn't need a lot of welding, it was the prepping, making repair sections and painting that took most of the time.

This was 2009, cost about £100 in materials, new chassis at the time was north of £2000.

[Rust Collector]

  On 10/12/2024 at 19:04, loserone said:

Not tucked into riggers

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You only get welding splatter trapped in your rigger boot once, mind.

[stuboy]

  On 10/12/2024 at 18:57, danthecapriman said:

Fire retardant overalls are the right thing to wear. 

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i wore a leather apron with trainers and trackies last time i was arc welding the sack barrow

[Marina door handles]

Safety flip flops and a good quality polyester shell suit are a must when welding and grinding.

[stuboy]

  On 10/12/2024 at 20:59, Marina door handles said:

Safety flip flops and a good quality polyester shell suit are a must when welding and grinding.

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i did burn my toe

[Dyslexic Viking]

Even with my little welding I've Got a weld spark in my ear and has once gone welding blind which lasted a few days.

So I don't have any good experience with welding, the next thing that happens is probably that something catches fire.

And I'm really bad at it so leaving it to the pros is best.

[Scruffy Bodger]

  On 10/12/2024 at 21:46, Dyslexic Viking said:

Even with my little welding I've Got a weld spark in my ear and has once gone welding blind which lasted a few days.

So I don't have any good experience with welding, the next thing that happens is probably that something catches fire.

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If you try you can set fire to the clothes you are wearing with the sparks from the grinder before you even get to the welding bit lol Did you headbutt the car above you while trying to shake it violently out of your ear, that's always fun*? As is hearing the hairs in your ear melting... 🤪😂

[EyesWeldedShut]

  On 10/12/2024 at 22:09, Scruffy Bodger said:

trying to shake it violently out of your ear, that's always fun*?

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My wife thinks that's the best bit of welding anything - she creases herself up when that happens (she's the firewatcher, I'm the burnt fecker underneath the motor).
She also spent years trying to work out why all my fleeces, T shirts and the like had teeny-tiny moth holes in them (and hers didn't).
One day, comparing my ears to a fucked Fruit of The Loom 'T' - she almost p*ssed herself laughing.

Welding - burns stuff*. Sometimes in a good way.

Burn's stuff -where I come from we used to have annual competitions.  I'd rather weld.

[Wibble]

  On 10/12/2024 at 22:22, EyesWeldedShut said:

My wife thinks that's the best bit of welding anything - she creases herself up when that happens (she's the firewatcher, I'm the burnt fecker underneath the motor).
She also spent years trying to work out why all my fleeces, T shirts and the like had teeny-tiny moth holes in them (and hers didn't).
One day, comparing my ears to a fucked Fruit of The Loom 'T' - she almost p*ssed herself laughing.

Welding - burns stuff*. Sometimes in a good way.

Burn's stuff -where I come from we used to have annual competitions.  I'd rather weld.

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Please don’t remind me of the annual Burns competition at school!