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welding on frames?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by skatermann, Jul 25, 2011.

  1. Cowtown Speed Shop
    Joined: Sep 26, 2010
    Posts: 1,192

    Cowtown Speed Shop
    Member
    from KC

    Joe,
    after reading some of the responses here, It is best that you forget most of it and Go talk to a actual welder in your area....The person who told you It is not good to weld on frame steel is correct, But not in this case. A model A frame is not actual frame steel. Frame Steel is tempered and is only used on large trucks such as semi's and medium duty trucks. Also to the guy who said his boxing plates was only "stitch welded" but had gaps, By rights the plates should be welded all the way, but If you do not have a big HP motor, And drive it on good smooth pavment, Your prolly ok. It sounds like the guy who built it just got lazy, But with that said, what other areas did he fudge on?....It is stuff like this that scares me. We all want to have fun and we all love hot rods, But I can't tell you how many times I have seen this...."Goober" builds a car in his backyard using duck tape, bailing wire and about 50 tubes of "JB weld" Sells it to someone who doesn't know any better, And then if they are lucky they find the problems before someone gets hurt.
     
  2. joe_padavano
    Joined: Jan 18, 2010
    Posts: 263

    joe_padavano
    Member

    Why, oh why won't this myth die? :rolleyes:

    Not only are nearly all automotive frames made of mild steel, but even medium duty trucks (up to 15,000 lbs GVW) use mild steel frames that are very weldable. GM's Upfitter site provides info for truck body builders who modify new trucks. One part of this site is a set of "best practices" manuals and one of those provides excellent detail on exactly how to lengthen or shorten their truck frames, including welding info. Read it, even if you are having someone else do the welding. At least then you'll know whether the person doing your welding really has a clue or not.

    http://www.gmupfitter.com/best_practice_manuals.html

    Click on the Chassis button.
     
  3. HankAz
    Joined: Mar 28, 2011
    Posts: 98

    HankAz
    Member

    We have cut tri axle dump trucks in half and welded them back togather with no problem. We carry 25-30 ton every day. Cut them on an angle put a inner liner inside and bolt it. It wont go anywhere.
     
  4. Dreddybear
    Joined: Mar 31, 2007
    Posts: 6,084

    Dreddybear
    Member

    Yes you can weld it.

    Yes you should box it.
     
  5. please explain inner line.
    when u bolt it,do you use 8 grade bolts or...
     
  6. Dreddybear
    Joined: Mar 31, 2007
    Posts: 6,084

    Dreddybear
    Member

    He means to fish plate it, to weld a support plate on the backside that overlaps both sides of where you butt welded the frame pieces. Do this before you box the frame. :)

    Bolts are unnecessary and ugly for this application, but if you ever were to use bolts for something like that then yes grade 8.
     
  7. thanks.I will use some 1/4'' plate to be safe
     
  8. RichtersRodz
    Joined: Feb 12, 2008
    Posts: 228

    RichtersRodz
    Member

    A frame that should have been boxed. The break is so old, that it was probably done back when boxing the frame wasn't common..
    Guessing, by the hacked recessed firewall job, that looks like it was done
    back in the 30's - 40's. Then again, the car was rolled, so that could have
    done it too.
     

    Attached Files:

  9. theHIGHLANDER
    Joined: Jun 3, 2005
    Posts: 10,244

    theHIGHLANDER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    If frame welding was not an acceptable practice then every drag strip would be littered with death and destruction, wouldn't it? Back 1/2 job-welded. Cages-welded to the frame. Rear axle housings-narrowed and welded. Full front strut suspension-welded. Get it? Most of those guys stress their cars harder than you ever may. Relax and have fun with your build. This disease attacks many home builders. "Joe Experienced-in-everything has to attempt to save your life or show you how to re-invent internal combustion. Logic and safety 1st trumps free advice every time.
     
  10. chaos10meter
    Joined: Feb 21, 2007
    Posts: 2,191

    chaos10meter
    Member
    from PA.

    Remember, there are two things in life where penetration is really important... one of them is welding.
     
  11. Bigchuck
    Joined: Oct 23, 2007
    Posts: 1,159

    Bigchuck
    Member
    from Austin, TX

    There is also the issue of over-penetration for a select few.
     

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