Welding Chromoly.

HairbearTE · Post by **HairbearTE** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 6:31 pm

Two questions. Anyone know a good supplier of Chromoly tubing? preferably in the south. Anyone know where I can get TIG rods for welding Chromoly?

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 7:17 pm

Hauser, Andy Robinson etc etc ??

If it isnt structural etc....mild steel would work fine.

I just mig'd my panhard rod etc which was chromoly....in fact...might even have used stainless wire as I couldnt be bothered changing it lol

HairbearTE · Post by **HairbearTE** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 5:01 pm

I might give AR a ring, they are not far away in Basingstoke. How come you're Miggin' Stevie? You still got the R-tech Tig?

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 5:07 pm

The only Chromoly Ive welded was before I got the Tig.

I havent really used the tig that much anyway.....was a novelty purchase at the time !! If my ally welding was better, id maybe try making some stuff....as it is, it's shite lol.

Also boils down to the MIG is just so damn handy and quick...also uses less gas.
A few seconds with the mig and job done....takes longer with the Tig.

Paul B · Post by **Paul B** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:21 pm

stevieturbo wrote:The only Chromoly Ive welded was before I got the Tig.

I havent really used the tig that much anyway.....was a novelty purchase at the time !! If my ally welding was better, id maybe try making some stuff....as it is, it's shite lol.

Also boils down to the MIG is just so damn handy and quick...also uses less gas.
A few seconds with the mig and job done....takes longer with the Tig.

I had a go at Tig welding when I did a welding course recently. I was pretty impressed, as was my instructor, when I put a perfect bead down on my second attempt. I couldn't believe it went so easily. Nice and smooth, get into the rhythm and it just flowed out luvverly.

What sort of Tig welder have you got? I'd really like one that will weld ally, else it is hardly worth bothering spending the money, as I can weld all other metals with my Mig or Stick welder.

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:25 pm

I bought the R-Tech 201 AC/DC machine. Claims its British built etc etc....*ahem*

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/index.php

Now some vendors/forum owners may have an agenda......but a few people say they are actually Chinese origin, although I havent taken mine apart to have a nosey at whats inside..
And some Plasma cutters made by company "Free" in China, bare a striking resemblance to the R-Tech plasma cutters.

But aside from that, so far mine is fine, and I dont really have any complaints about it. I didnt see the point in spending too much, and the R-Tech seemed to fit the bill.

Welding stainless steel is a LOT easier than aluminium, and if its less than 1.5mm thick Alu....yikes thats hard. I seem to be great at making a hole...or a huge blob lol
Although Im led to believe cleanliness with Alu is vital, and makes a huge difference.

On thicker material, laying down a bead is nowhere near as difficult.

HairbearTE · Post by **HairbearTE** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:20 pm

I recently got my R-tec up and running and am having great fun with it. It's all about the setting up. Take the time to get the pulse widths and the power right and it is amzing how easy it is to get great results. You can get good results in steel with no rod if the fit is perfect! undercut is negligable as long as set up is spot on. I don't think there's any doubt that it's made in china but i've certainly had no probs with it. I've not got around to welding ally yet but i'm looking foward to that too.

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:52 pm

Cool...

one thing Ive noticed. On shutdown, does yours hold the gas within the line, or does it empty ?

My mig will hold it forever....the Tig has dropped to zero after 5-10 mins.

Its only a small amount of gas...but its still a small leak...which I guess can only be leaking all the time when the bottle is on.

Also...what size tungstens are you using ? I mostly bought the 2.4mm ones......but having tried some 1.6mm recently, it is defo the size to use on thinner stuff ( well, a little bit of Ally I welded onto my rad )

ian.stewart · Post by **ian.stewart** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 5:05 pm

Supplier of CM,
http://www.hublebas.co.uk/

Ian

HairbearTE · Post by **HairbearTE** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:00 am

Stevie I noticed the gas in the line thing first day I used it! Now I always turn the gas off at the bottle with the key. I live 200yds from the BOC depot but that's no reason to waste it! I emailed ARRC and they can supply tubing and cromo rods so that's handy to know. Have sworn solem oath to myself to finish up a couple of other bits I have on the go at the moment before I order up tubing though, otherwise will have a 'shop full of part finished projects on my hands and get nothing finished. I got 2.4 and 1.6, reds + whites but only used it on steel so far. Anything 3mm or bigger I use the 2.4s. I always grind all my tungstens after i'm done so I don't have to mess around in the middle of welding next time if I balls up!