MIG for tacking parts onto frame

[TFrosst]

Hey guys. I'm at the point of getting everything tacked onto my frame before I send it out to get finish welded. The question I have is regarding how powerful a MIG welder I need. I was looking at the Lincoln MIG 140 but it says it'll weld from 20g to 5/16" steel. Would this give me enough penetration for tacking the pieces and have the sturdy enough so they won't move until getting fully welded?

[erbilabuc]

yes, thats more then enough. Why dont you just do all the welding yourself if you have the 140?

[dirty d]

Think about this, any welder when he finish welds will clean and tack his own shit, so I wouldnt worry about some crazy penetration. Lots of guys think penetration = globs of mig weld wire melted into the pieces . I will tell ya No welder likes coming back with a tig and finish welding that stuff, so go easy on the tacks. And yeah for what you want to do that welder is plenty.
Shit too bad you dont have a freind who has one you could use to tack up some shit. ? .02

[TFrosst]

Thanks guys.

Yeah, unfortunately no one I know has one I can use.

I know what you're saying dirty d, I've heard a bunch of stories regarding cutting a re-welding stuff.

So you guys think this will handle finish welding or should I get someone to TIG it for me? I'm using it for stuff like the tank mounts, seat mounts, fender mounts, etc. Needs to be strong just not sure exactly how it should be finished.

[JigsawJimmy]

My usual question to someone who asks me this question ( I'm a professional welder / welding instructor ). Are you willing to bet your life on your welding skills? That 's what your doing when you weld pieces on a motorcycle frame.

I know many, many people that can stick 2 pieces of metal together. I can count on 1 hand the people who I would let weld on one of my motorcycle frames.

Unless you have some real welding training, I would leave the welding on your build to a professional. I've seen too many unhappy endings from people trying to stick stuff together without the proper skill. ( See the thread on this board about the BBC frame failures. ) Tacking stuff in place is one thing. Doing a finish weld is something entirely different.

My .02
Thanks,
--Jigsaw Jimmy
--Jigsaw Custom Fabricating
--www.jigsawcustomfab.com

[Boeijavo]

Underwater welding is a lucrative career, but it is not usually clear which path folks really should take if they want to move into the field. This write-up will describe some of the pros and cons of the job and then discuss the best actions to take if you want to pursue a profession in the field.

[Barefoot Choppa]

Originally Posted by Boeijavo

Underwater welding is a lucrative career, but it is not usually clear which path folks really should take if they want to move into the field. This write-up will describe some of the pros and cons of the job and then discuss the best actions to take if you want to pursue a profession in the field.

Really?!?! Go away spammer!!!

[RedWings]

the tacks aren't important its how you prep the metal before you tack. you got to know how to bevel the metal for penetration or the welder has to break the pieces off, grind and re-tack them. where you place the tacks can be a PIA for a welder if they're put in the middle of a weld area. Best idea? tell the welder where you want the welds and let him fit them for you. It will be less expensive that way.

[Barefoot Choppa]

Originally Posted by RedWings

the tacks aren't important its how you prep the metal before you tack. you got to know how to bevel the metal for penetration or the welder has to break the pieces off, grind and re-tack them. where you place the tacks can be a PIA for a welder if they're put in the middle of a weld area. Best idea? tell the welder where you want the welds and let him fit them for you. It will be less expensive that way.

You do realize this is a 3 year old thread?!

[pokergolf420]

Originally Posted by Boeijavo

Underwater welding is a lucrative career, but it is not usually clear which path folks really should take if they want to move into the field. This write-up will describe some of the pros and cons of the job and then discuss the best actions to take if you want to pursue a profession in the field.

I'll look at it next time I want to build a bike under water.

[RedWings]

hahahaheheh somebody sucked me in.

[rayfin]

I have a lincoln 170T and I think it will weld up to 3/8" They now are saying 5/16 but they are being on the safe side for legal reasons.

[RedWings]

the metal thickness/welding machine is not the problem its the wire you use. You have to go to .035 wire to find multi pass flux core wire for some unknown reason. If someone knows of .030 thats multi pass let me know, I've never found any and I sure would like to find some.

[rayfin]

You do realize this is a 3 year old thread?! As Peter Sellers would say, "Yes, I know that..."

[pop 28]

3 yr old or not... it's still tech on welding might help a newbie
mig welding is fine for all your bike welding needs