1988 Ford F-150 Resto Thread!

[Dustin4185]

I was experimenting with wire speed. Then heat. Problem i had was keeping a good puddle. Cooled too fast i thought. I am using harbor freight vulcan solid .030 wire. My welds are solid woth no worm holes. Found i needed to weld top to bottom insted of bottom to top like my flux wire. Also was moving too slow. Had a good handle on it by the time i had it stuck together.

Welding downhill can trap contaminates, bit it is fine for sheet metal. One technique is use welding downhill is to pause on the sides and make a "n" with the wire. Say start on the left, hit the trigger, count 1001, them move up and over to the right and hold 1002, then back to the left. Also with thin sheet metal, move around A LOT!

 

[Steve]

Welding downhill can trap contaminates, bit it is fine for sheet metal. One technique is use welding downhill is to pause on the sides and make a "n" with the wire. Say start on the left, hit the trigger, count 1001, them move up and over to the right and hold 1002, then back to the left. Also with thin sheet metal, move around A LOT!

Thanks! Ill try that tomorrow. I should get the hang of it by the time im done with this project!

 

[p61 western]

Thanks! Ill try that tomorrow. I should get the hang of it by the time im done with this project!

Won't hurt to practice on some spare Sheetmetal to find what works for you.

 

[Bigmac]

I am no welding expert by any means, actually not good at all, in my limited experience, is that some welders are better at sheet metal than others, some Lincoln’s start hot and are difficult to set, and some Miller’s don’t like continuous spot weldeds, I did find that for me smaller wire worked better for sheet metal, you can turn the heat down and have better control

 

[Steve]

I am no welding expert by any means, actually not good at all, in my limited experience, is that some welders are better at sheet metal than others, some Lincoln’s start hot and are difficult to set, and some Miller’s don’t like continuous spot weldeds, I did find that for me smaller wire worked better for sheet metal, you can turn the heat down and have better control

Ill stop by the store on the way home tonight and pick up some .024 wire and see if that helps with my issues. May just be me and the welder. Or just me!

At what pressure do you guys run your sheilding gas? I have it at 15psi.

 

[redline4]

25ish. I run through a lot of gas, but it helps when on imperfect metal.
At least in my experience.

 

[Redfin]

I run mine at 20. Get some better wire Steve. The stuff HF sells is garbage.

 

[Steve]

I run mine at 20. Get some better wire Steve. The stuff HF sells is garbage.

You dont know untill you try it i suppose.

What do you recomend John? Diameter and brand?

 

[Redfin]

Ive had good use from ESAB and Lincoln. Wire diameter really depends on your machine and your technique.

My box at home needs .023 for thinner gauge but I can run .030 in my buddies rig.

 

[redline4]

Where my brother in law works, it's ESAB.
For a budget brand, I have had decent results from Hobart.

Welding is another thing where what works at home for one does not always work for another!

 

[Steve]

Thanks fellas.

 

[Bigmac]

Some good advise guys, the other thing to mention, is old wire in general, it corrodes, and with sheet metal it really gets inconsistent. If it has tiny white spots it’s way bad! Lol if you feel and roughness when you slide your fingers down the wire it’s corroded. I have never used harbor freight wire, but it won’t surprise me if it wasn’t the best.

 

[Steve]

Ok. Got some Lincoln .025 wire and first panel welded on. Getting the feel for the welding.


Should i weld all around it or is it ok like it is? i welded the inside too. I was going to leave it as is and use seam sealer around it.

 

[Bigmac]

Ok. Got some Lincoln .025 wire and first panel welded on. Getting the feel for the welding.


Should i weld all around it or is it ok like it is? i welded the inside too. I was going to leave it as is and use seam sealer around it.


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Looks good! How are you liking the different wire? You have way more area than the original spot welds you should be fine with seam sealer

 

[p61 western]

Ok. Got some Lincoln .025 wire and first panel welded on. Getting the feel for the welding.


Should i weld all around it or is it ok like it is? i welded the inside too. I was going to leave it as is and use seam sealer around it.


View attachment 172707
View attachment 172708

Looks pretty solid to me Steve.

 

[Steve]

Looks good! How are you liking the different wire? You have way more area than the original spot welds you should be fine with seam sealer

It works well. I got most all the welding done! Just have the little bit for a stay in the cab and a reinforcement i built for the parking brake ratchet.

I found if yoy put the weldable primer on too thick its hard to keep a bead going!

 

[Bigmac]

It works well. I got most all the welding done! Just have the little bit for a stay in the cab and a reinforcement i built for the parking brake ratchet.

I found if yoy put the weldable primer on too thick its hard to keep a bead going!

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Looks fantastic!! There is a learn curve for everything!

 

[Steve]

Finished welding! I made a reinforcement for the parking brake ratchet. Most likely over kill on the weld but i need it real stiff as that is where all the pressure is put when its engauged. Got the stays welded inside and the ecm pocket done! Just need some clean up, primer, and paint the firewall black. Then well see how well these energy polyurethane cab mounts work out!

 

[Steve]

Got a few coats of primer on it after playing with the kids and putting them to bed. It was a productive day!

 

[p61 western]

Got a few coats of primer on it after playing with the kids and putting them to bed. It was a productive day!

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Looking good getting closer to being ready to build it now.