Welding Quesetion

[Pen & Wrench]

Here's a question. My son asked if I could help weld on a track bar bracket on the rear axle of his Jeep Wrangler. I have a PowerKraft (Century) 230 Amp AC-DC stick welder. I understand the bracket is made from approximately quarter inch material. Would my welder do a decent job on something like that, or would a mig welder be a better choice? I have used mig welders, but I would learn how to mihweld it first, or would have someone else weld it, if it needs to be done with a mig. Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[Jim greengo]

Welder is plenty big,depends on your skills.

 

[TTMotorsports]

That stick welder will handle that job without issue. Most of those track bar brackets are 3/16" thick steel and that amperage is more than enough to burn it in real good.

 

[PugetDude]

^^+1^^ on this- crank it up and burn it in. You've got more than enough power to get a good full penetration weld on 3/16" or 1/4" steel.

 

[Ign]

Uh, you've got enough power with something like 6011 to literally burn thru 1/4" plate if you stay in one place long enough.

As said, it's your skills that matter here.

 

[fordkid88]

What about preloading the axle to fight the pull of the weld?

 

[Pen & Wrench]

Thanks guys, I figured the stick process would work well enough. My Dad was the neighborhood welder when I was a kid and I learned quite a bit from him. I can hold my own really well with a stick welder, but I haven't used mig very much, and I don't own a mig welder. That being said I can produce a better weld today with a stick welder than I can with a mig, just because that's what I'm used to. My wife thought this was the perfect reason to take a road trip to visit our son and his wife, and I jokingly told her, that it may involve buying a new welder, and I got the deer in the headlights look. Well, we may have to wait till the need arises for the new mig or multi process welder, but for now the old reliable Power Kraft will do what needs to be done. Thanks again!

 

[PugetDude]

Uh, you've got enough power with something like 6011 to literally burn thru 1/4" plate if you stay in one place long enough.

As said, it's your skills that matter here.

When I was young and poor I used crumbly 7018 rod I bought at a salvage yard on 225 amps as a cutting torch...

 

[readhead]

When I was working on navy ships we would use rods to burn off interference. It was easier and faster than running a few hundred feet of burning lead to were we were working.

 

[Ign]

Thanks guys, I figured the stick process would work well enough. My Dad was the neighborhood welder when I was a kid and I learned quite a bit from him. I can hold my own really well with a stick welder, but I haven't used mig very much, and I don't own a mig welder. That being said I can produce a better weld today with a stick welder than I can with a mig, just because that's what I'm used to. My wife thought this was the perfect reason to take a road trip to visit our son and his wife, and I jokingly told her, that it may involve buying a new welder, and I got the deer in the headlights look. Well, we may have to wait till the need arises for the new mig or multi process welder, but for now the old reliable Power Kraft will do what needs to be done. Thanks again!

Uh, that just means you're a good welder.

If someone says they're really good with MIG but admits they're not great with stick, translation is "I'm not a very good welder." Before anyone gets **** hurt and needs a safe space because they think I'm judgy, I fall squarely into the category of decent with MIG, poor with stick. Translation: I am not a good welder. I'm perfectly secure enough to acknowledge my skills AND limitations

 

[rpcraft]

What about preloading the axle to fight the pull of the weld?

Probably overkill if he tacks it in to place properly.

 

[fordkid88]

Probably overkill if he tacks it in to place properly.

I was more concerned about the axle housing pulling especially if it's only welded on one spot.

 

[JimDon]

If you don’t know HAZ and UnderStand HAZ in welding, you probably are not as skilled with any of the three processes (3 main ones that is) as you think you are. Cheers, JimDon

 

[fordkid88]

If you don’t know HAZ and UnderStand HAZ in welding, you probably are not as skilled with any of the three processes (3 main ones that is) as you think you are. Cheers, JimDon

Tig welder by trade, I am quite familiar with the heat affected zone and trying to minimize heat input. So come across as an *** all you want, I was trying to get some input and discussion going on this that may have aided the op on his installation.

 

[Walkers]

Axle housing warping is a definite concern. I have generally leveled them up welded, then checked for warpage. It can easily be corrected via flame straightening, or using carefully placed welds on the opposite side.

 

[JimDon]

Wow, Ford kid, mea culpa. Not trying to be an ***. My comments were not aimed at anyone in particular. There are a lot of people who once in awhile who weld a basketball hoop back together and think they are a welder. All I was saying was get to know HAZ as a first step, then weld, check it and go from there. My extreme apologies if I offended anyone in general, and certainly YOU , in particular.

 

[fordkid88]

Axle housing warping is a definite concern. I have generally leveled them up welded, then checked for warpage. It can easily be corrected via flame straightening, or using carefully placed welds on the opposite side.

Thank, this is what I was trying to get at. I'm not the most fond heat straightening but I do it enough at work, but we also preload the backsides of welds to help minimize the pull all of the time. The shop I work in is a stainless steel shop and that stuff warps and pulls of you look at it funny.

 

[Pen & Wrench]

Don't get me wrong here, I am not saying that I'm an expert welder, all I'm saying is that I grew up with a stick welder and an acetylene torch on the farm. My Dad definitely understood HAZ and taught me what he knew. Most farmers that tried to weld their own stuff had it break right beside the weld, then my Dad would come along and fix what they couldn't, and his welds almost never broke again. He was always careful to make sure things were tacked in place before just welding things on, and he made sure things were straight and aligned when he was done. I learned what I could from him, but still want to take some formal welding training, even though I just do welding in retirement now. I guarantee you all that if I think I'm not able to adequately weld my son's part on, we will be taking it to a shop and have it professionally done. I appreciate all the comments and concerns.

 

[JimDon]

Don’t get me wrong here either. I was NOT commenting on your or anyone else’s ability to do a more than adequate weld. I should have worded my comment something like if you get it about haz, you’re more than good to go. Cause there are a lot of other guys out there, who aren’t commenting in this thread, who don’t have a clue, but weld stuff together and it ends up looking like chicken droppings.
and frankly, if you, P+ W , can stick weld, you’re way ahead of the pack!
Whew, I should have just kept my big mouth shut in the first place, now I really feel like an ***. Again my apologies if I have offended anyone. I was really only trying to be helpful in the first place. Well, as Smokey Yunick used to say, “nuff said.”
I think I’ll go drink now.

 

[Pen & Wrench]

No offense taken, I am hoping everyone can feel they can add their thoughts to the conversation, I hope I never stop learning, and I have a long way to go. I don't think about HAZ a lot, and I'm really glad you brought it up. I think you should feel good that you felt it important enough to mention, as it could make the difference between success and failure. I will give an update if and when this happens, probably in November. I appreciate the fact that people can say what's on their mind, and add to the knowledge base, especially for me! Thanks again. I may have a drink before I go to bed also.

 

[Mallen]

Here's a question. My son asked if I could help weld on a track bar bracket on the rear axle of his Jeep Wrangler. I have a PowerKraft (Century) 230 Amp AC-DC stick welder. I understand the bracket is made from approximately quarter inch material. Would my welder do a decent job on something like that, or would a mig welder be a better choice? I have used mig welders, but I would learn how to mihweld it first, or would have someone else weld it, if it needs to be done with a mig. Thanks in advance for your advice.

Generally, if you don't know you can weld something, you can't. In other words, if you are not 100% certain, usually from experience that it's something you can just go ahead and bang out without a problem, it's going to come out badly unless you practice doing it on scrap until you get to that point. If it was something that you could just go ahead and bang out, you'd know it.