Quenching out when Mig Welding

1,769 posts · joined Oct 2004 · 28 Feb 2012, 7:45 pm

#889431

Doing some rust repairs on the beetle (rear guard mounting areas), & I want to know if I need to be quenching out my welds (MIG) with water as I go to control distortion. I used to do this back in the days when I only had OXY to work with.

I havent got good enough access to the back of the panel to allow me to get a dolly behind it to hammer on.

Any help appreciated.

Cheers
Brendan

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5lam AKA: BlackBug

520 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 14 Mar 2012, 3:42 pm

#891833

Tack on tack is the best method. Using water will cause warping also. Just take it slow, and allow the metal to cool after half a dozen tacks or so, depending on the size of the area.

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helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body

7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 14 Mar 2012, 8:30 pm

#891876

I use air to cool welds, as the water is too quick and hardens the weld too much. I metal finish most of my joins, so I use every advantage I can to make the job work.

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snitz Wolfsburg Wizard

605 posts · joined Sep 2008 · 14 Mar 2012, 8:37 pm

#891877

Yep..blow with an air gun between welds..

Special Air Service Chief "Gunna"

1,769 posts · joined Oct 2004 · 25 Mar 2012, 9:36 pm

#893720

Thanks gents, I think my problems were trying to get to much welded in one go & tacks too far apart. getting to much heat in. Will give the air a try.

Cheers
Brendan

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helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body

7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 25 Mar 2012, 9:41 pm

#893724

Tack every cm, and then sand the tacks down to almost level with the surrounding panel.

Then do the welds 1 cm at a time with the air gun to cool. It takes about 20 seconds per cm, so you are looking at 3cm per minute.

I have done roof chops areas that have taken 6 hours just to weld the roof skin.

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Special Air Service Chief "Gunna"

1,769 posts · joined Oct 2004 · 30 Mar 2012, 12:53 pm

#894522

Thanks Pete, been tacking way too far apart. probably about 3cm. tried the air method the other day & definetely helped. I'm getting improvements as I go, so thanks to all. Will post up some pics of my progress shortly.

Cheers
Brendan

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