Found a welder thru facebook. He charged me $250. He decided to use a stick welder instead cause he said it was rusty and dirty and didn’t have space to clean it. So this is the finished job. He did look at my mig welder and apparently my gas wasn’t flowing. He helped me set it up and he was nice enough to show me some welds. So i think i’ll try some other small projects before i chop the cab. It sucks i had to pay to get it done but i’m happy with his work and i feel much more safe haha
After he explained mig welding a bit i think im doing a little better granted theyre not pretty but theyre not porous anymore and seems like a good penetration. I redid the bones. Will drill and plug them and i filled a tiny hole that was in the dash
Much better looking welds. Keep practicing on scraps then clamp them in a vise & try to break 'em. Don't be afraid of cranking up the voltage and burning through- that's how you learn where the "sweet spot" is. Where are you in Annandale? I'm in Chantilly, on the west side of Fairfax.
Remember the tips that he showed you and practice on junk metal that you have laying around. As stated, weld two pieces of heavy steel together. Put them in a vice with the weld showing and bend it over with a hammer. Bend it back straight and bend it the reverse to see where it breaks. If the weld breaks it is no good. Practice some more then take some samples back to your welder friend and see what he says. Then practice some more. You will then have a new skill that will enable you to build safe cars.
The Jalopy Journal
