How do I fix rust problems without using bondo or cutting corners?
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2017
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From: Mondak
If there are no schools available, there is still a great method to learning. Buy a welder, find some scrap, watch some YouTube videos, and lay down some welds.
Now, here's the key... join the WeldingWeb forum. Lay some welds down, then take pictures of your welds and post them on the forum asking for feedback. The folks on that forum are amazing. They can tell you exactly what you need to do differently just by analyzing pictures of your welds. It's a great way to learn. I actually did this while in welding school. I found the online community more helpful than my instructor.
Now, here's the key... join the WeldingWeb forum. Lay some welds down, then take pictures of your welds and post them on the forum asking for feedback. The folks on that forum are amazing. They can tell you exactly what you need to do differently just by analyzing pictures of your welds. It's a great way to learn. I actually did this while in welding school. I found the online community more helpful than my instructor.
Thank you for your advice, I joined the forum (same user) and will post when I get my welder. In the meantime I'll read up on welding. Can't hurt right?
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2017
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From: Mondak
Bondo if used PROPERLY is not a bad thing. There are few if any, including new vehicles on the road today without some type of body filler on them. You will need a skim coat to cover and smooth any weld seams you have. The trick is to use it properly over properly prepared surfaces. Another option vs welding is the use of panel bond adhesive. 3M has a lot of videos showing it's use.
Anyways If I can't figure something out with welding than it looks like fillers are my only option. Thank you!
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 475
Likes: 34
From: Vermont
You have a preconceived notion that body fillers should not be used.That is fine ,BUT, body fillers used with proper preparation,application,and finishing are absolutely a proper way of metal repair. Alternatives? The old school way of applying lead or welding,grinding,hammering until you can use only a few coats of primer. Either method is very unrealistic for most repairs. The best and most reputable body repair/restoration shops use plastic fillers with excellent, long lasting results. good luck! gary
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
Most people are tempted to go cheap when buying a welder. There is nothing wrong with inexpensive 120 volt units but get a decent one with the gas attachment and run C75, not the straight carbon dioxide. Also, I have found any welder with just the 4 clicks on a **** to be frustrating to dial in. Get one with infinite smooth adjust *****. You won't be sorry.
You can start without gas, using flux core but still buy a welder you can add gas to later.
You can start without gas, using flux core but still buy a welder you can add gas to later.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,912
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
You have a preconceived notion that body fillers should not be used.That is fine ,BUT, body fillers used with proper preparation,application,and finishing are absolutely a proper way of metal repair. Alternatives? The old school way of applying lead or welding,grinding,hammering until you can use only a few coats of primer. Either method is very unrealistic for most repairs. The best and most reputable body repair/restoration shops use plastic fillers with excellent, long lasting results. good luck! gary
Most people are tempted to go cheap when buying a welder. There is nothing wrong with inexpensive 120 volt units but get a decent one with the gas attachment and run C75, not the straight carbon dioxide. Also, I have found any welder with just the 4 clicks on a **** to be frustrating to dial in. Get one with infinite smooth adjust *****. You won't be sorry.
You can start without gas, using flux core but still buy a welder you can add gas to later.
You can start without gas, using flux core but still buy a welder you can add gas to later.
I started with flux core and quickly switched to gas using Co2, it was free, and it did a lot better job (cleaner) than flux core.
When I started my latest project I went with a Argon mix gas and it is better (cleaner) than the Co2.
I bought mine to do sheet metal body work and I would say use gas if that is what you will be doing.
I have also used it to weld the axle tubes to the center section on my drag car to keep them from turning. You just have to do a little bit at a time to let the welder cool off and many passes to get it welded.
As others will say once you have a welder you will wonder how you got along with out one this long.
Dave ----
Elder User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 842
Likes: 1
From: Puyallup, WA
I'll go a step further, using body filler IS the proper way to do body work. As stated above it must be done correctly. Do all your metal work such as panel replacement, then study up on hammer and dolly work to get the panel as smooth as possible. Your final coat of filler, if done properly, should be no more than 1/16 of an inch thick at its thickest, though many brands can be used up to 1/4" (but that just means you need more work with a hammer and dolly in my opinion). Yes, there are people who do all their body work with no filler, but that's more of a extreme skill show-off palour trick than anything else. The famous builders we all respect the most (e.g. Foose, Trepanier, Kindig, etc.) all use body filler.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Mondak
You have a preconceived notion that body fillers should not be used.That is fine ,BUT, body fillers used with proper preparation,application,and finishing are absolutely a proper way of metal repair. Alternatives? The old school way of applying lead or welding,grinding,hammering until you can use only a few coats of primer. Either method is very unrealistic for most repairs. The best and most reputable body repair/restoration shops use plastic fillers with excellent, long lasting results. good luck! gary
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Mondak
Most people are tempted to go cheap when buying a welder. There is nothing wrong with inexpensive 120 volt units but get a decent one with the gas attachment and run C75, not the straight carbon dioxide. Also, I have found any welder with just the 4 clicks on a **** to be frustrating to dial in. Get one with infinite smooth adjust *****. You won't be sorry.
You can start without gas, using flux core but still buy a welder you can add gas to later.
You can start without gas, using flux core but still buy a welder you can add gas to later.
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Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2017
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From: Mondak
I'll go a step further, using body filler IS the proper way to do body work. As stated above it must be done correctly. Do all your metal work such as panel replacement, then study up on hammer and dolly work to get the panel as smooth as possible. Your final coat of filler, if done properly, should be no more than 1/16 of an inch thick at its thickest, though many brands can be used up to 1/4" (but that just means you need more work with a hammer and dolly in my opinion). Yes, there are people who do all their body work with no filler, but that's more of a extreme skill show-off palour trick than anything else. The famous builders we all respect the most (e.g. Foose, Trepanier, Kindig, etc.) all use body filler.
Thank you!
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