welding

Post by **borderblue** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 11:01 am

I have a lot of welding to do on my 1969 1000,I havent done any before but i know someone who is willing to show me,i was just wondering if it would be better to take it to someone and get them to do it for me although i would like to learn but my time is tight and i was wanting to know how much they would charge for the welding?

Post by **aupickup** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 11:05 am

let them see the amount of welding and get a price

i was going to do mine, but i had mine done professionally as i lacked time and space

so many restorations fall by the wayside

Post by **borderblue** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 11:29 am

Did you have to get a lot of welding done,was it expensive?

Post by **LouiseM** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 11:35 am

i was wanting to know how much they would charge for the welding?

Labour charges vary from area to area and from garage to garage. The best thing to do is to take your car to a few garages and get quotes.

Post by **borderblue** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 11:49 am

We have a garage that specialise in minors not that far from us so i might contact them, thanks

Post by **aupickup** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 12:19 pm

no mine only needed a new boxing plate and crossmember ends and that was around the £100.00 mark

Post by **Mick_Anik** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 1:46 pm

Maybe try contacting a few body shops, in particular those which restore old stuff rather than repair accident-damaged modern cars, and ask them if you can pop in for a look at what goes on. This would give you and idea of what's involved, and whether you feel you fancy it.
In my youth, I got a part-time job sweeping up, odd-jobbing, making tea, allowing the 'p' to be taken out of myself, and holding panels in place (pressing hard with a long implement) for the welder while he got on with the actual welding. A lot can be learnt by watching and asking questions.

You seem keen to learn, and you have someone who is willing to teach you how to do it. Not many get that kind of an offer! They don't pop up like weeds.

The main thing in a restoration is the use of a small angle grinder - cutting out old metal can be dangerous......the grinder is always ready to snag and fly off in whatever direction it chooses! The use of a small grinder for cutting requires the correct techniques - they are as simple as they are important.

If you fancy having a go, get your friend to show you how he cuts - if you feel confident with the grinder, the rest is a piece of cake! The actual welding is boring, more than anything else.

PS edited in: You could always do some yourself, and let someone else finish off. Cut off the rubbish with your friend, buy or make up the panels and get them trimmed to shape and ready for welding. Welders want to see nice, straight edges (consider a well-cut curve a straight edge), which don't taper away to almost nothing at the edge. If the steel is 1mm thick, the cut edge should be 1mm thick, right to the end. If it isn't, cut away more until it is. One mistake is to use a grinding wheel to clean up the edge - this removes material. Use manual methods as far as possible (scraping), and use a flap disc ( a disc with flaps of sandpaper on it) only when necessary. These discs tend to remove rubbish rather than metal, but with a lot of pressure, you can grind a weld flat with one!

Post by **borderblue** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 2:07 pm

Thanks that is really helpfull,i was a bit nervous but if my pal goes through it with me i am sure it will be ok

Post by **davidmiles** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 8:11 pm

Some great advice there, as Mick says practice makes perfect, I know it feels like wasted welding wire, but try practicing on different bits of scrap metal of different thicknesses, you don't want to go blowing holes in your beloved morris. The more you do the better you get. Iv been lucky enough to practice on loads of scrap. And the welds I'm getting put on my pickup chassis by a pro far outshine my best efforts.

Post by **aupickup** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 9:38 pm

and remeber its the welding that will hold the car together

Post by **GAS** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 10:21 pm

Hi borderblue.i'm located just outside Biggar.If you need any pointers on your project i am just a click away

Post by **borderblue** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 1:01 pm

Thanks gas it's good to know there is someone not that far away

Post by **ASL642** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 3:29 pm

And remember this board is open for questions/help 24/7!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 3:31 pm

Is 'Scot-Mog' still going - in Walkerburn?

Post by **croft** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 8:09 pm

bmcecosse wrote:Is 'Scot-Mog' still going - in Walkerburn?

I have seen them advertising recently in rally progs but never seen the garage! I go through walkerburn fairly regular and never spotted there premises. Could be tucked away or even just a part of another garage. Wonder where the "local garage" to Kelso is?