Professional welders here?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Albuquerque
Professional welders here?
There is a thread in the 72-79 forum about welding on frames. Any trained welders out there to comment on the type of metal the frame is made of and the dangers of welding on it?
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
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From: Marengo, Iowa
My understanding of the material is that it is simple mild steel on the older light trucks. I don't know of any of them having hardened steel, or any alloy. As for welding on them, it is more about structural safety rather than any health hazard. If the welding was not good enough, or was not properly reinforced, it could crack and fail. I do not refer to the weld itself cracking, rather the HAZ (heat affected zone) right beside the weld that will typically crack from stress and vibration. The usual fix was fishplating, which is a diamond shaped plate layed over the weld joint. Another way to reduce direct stress is to not straight cut, but angle cut it so as to change the stresses. Boxing is another way to strengthen the splice, as well as double railing.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
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From: Lyndonville, Vermont
I've been welding on frames for years with no issues. If its mild steel you just need to know what you are doing. As for hard steel or tempered I havn't seen any. Seen alot of 18 wheeler frames welded no problems. You can cut em in half and join em if you know how to brace and select the best method for the situation.
I agree with fellro86. A good welder can glue anything together stronger than it has to be.
I agree with fellro86. A good welder can glue anything together stronger than it has to be.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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From the Ford service manuals it seems that all of the frames are heat treated steel. The larger trucks have high strength heat treated frames that can not be welded. Good welding practices must be used but welding "all the way around" a repair produces a large heat affected zone that is conducive to cracking.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,493
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From: SE Iowa
I dont see anything wrong with welding on frame if you know what your dealing with. If its a high strength steel, then you just preheat the area before you start welding. If its mild steel no preheat necessary as long as its warmer than 50 degrees outside. The self-propelled windrower main frames I welded at Deere take a LOT of abuse. 90% of the steel in it is 1/4" mild steel that has over 900 individual weld. Its all about knowing exactly where the stress points are and how to weld gussets that still allow flex. The thing to remember is you CAN over weld. For example, when boxing a frame, dont make one solid weld 4ft long. Instead make a bunch of 2 inch weld over the 4ft distance. Hope this helps. There is a lot of engineering involved in welding that most people dont know about.
Stryder
Stryder
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
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From: Marengo, Iowa
That is why many times you won't see a manufacturer solid weld too often, it is usually stitch welding. There are times there are solid welds, but only when absolutely necessary.On a boxing situation or patching like this, it is better to stitch than to solid. Solid weld the frame sections together, but stitch the gusseting.
Last edited by fellro86; Sep 13, 2005 at 09:24 AM.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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Originally Posted by fellro86
That is why many times you won't see a manufaturer solid weld too often, it is usually stitch welding. There are times there are solid welds, but only when absolutely necessary.On a boxing situation or patching like this, it is better to stitch than to solid. Solid weld the frame sections together, but stitch the gusseting.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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You can always weld the frame and BOLT the fish plate. that way it is both welded and bolted togather. Greg
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The Pacifier
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Cloverdale, BC
Also, if you are going to be welding on a frame, cleanliness is key. (Just like any welding.) Clean as much gunk off as you can before you take the grinder to it. And vee it out on both sides. Your best bet is to weld and fish plate it though.
