welding experts.....need some guidance

[sukemecuke]

I have got some work that I need to get done and I am still beginning. So wanted to know how I should go about this. This is a very similar welder that I am getting
http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0696023793.1135172192@ @@@&BV_EngineID=ccfjaddgieimkgecgelceffdfgidgio.0&CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc/searchResults.jsp&MID=9876&N=2984+3966&pos=n24

hopefully the link works otherwise its just your basic lincoln electric mig welder that can run off of a standard 120V outlet.

In any event, I have to weld in some floor pans with a MIG. The floor pans are already in and are rhino lined over so I don't wanna mess with that. However the underside looks to have gaps that I need to weld the existing floor pan to the new one. After that I plan to undercoat the rig with more herculiner stuff. How do I go about welding the floor pans, when I don't really have anything to clamp to, to make a complete circuit with the welder? Does this make sense at all?

[willy_fricken_wonka]

you can clamp it to anywhere, it does not have to be very close to where your welding as long as the pans are already on the jeep and welded on the top side.

[sukemecuke]

you can clamp it to anywhere, it does not have to be very close to where your welding as long as the pans are already on the jeep and welded on the top side.


I don't know if the pans are welded on the top side. I bought it like that. Hmmmm I guess I can ask I bought the jeep from one of the guys on jeepin.

[IntrepidXJ]

when i did some welding to the floors on my XJ, i clamped to one of the studs that bolts the seat down......i was welding close to that area, though

[sukemecuke]

well there is several areas some of them are really close to that area also. Others are near the leaf spring mounts. Which I figured I could clamp to there.

[Timmay]

You can put a small bolt or peice of scrap plate in your ground clamp and then tack that to your floor pan closer to your work area. When you weld the bottoms i hope you know you better have some damn good ventilation and don't plan on driving the jeep for a few days. That's going to smell terrible.

HTH. :thumbsup:

[sukemecuke]

You can put a small bolt or peice of scrap plate in your ground clamp and then tack that to your floor pan closer to your work area. When you weld the bottoms i hope you know you better have some damn good ventilation and don't plan on driving the jeep for a few days. That's going to smell terrible.

HTH. :thumbsup:
Thats actually what I was thinking about. She won't be driven for about a week. I am painting her this weekend. Then monday begins the welding. I figure by mid week I should be done with that. Then its on to undercoating that biatch with POR15 and herculiner. Can you weld aluminum to steel?

edit: oh and I will have plenty of ventilation this is going to be done outside.

[Jeeplife7926]

No aluminum can not be welded to steel, only like metals will weld.

[sukemecuke]

No aluminum can not be welded to steel, only like metals will weld.

k thanks. Guess there will be no welding of floor pans like that then. So what metal is the stock floor pans, steel or aluminum?

[Timmay]

k thanks. Guess there will be no welding of floor pans like that then. So what metal is the stock floor pans, steel or aluminum?

It's steel, something like 16 gauge... 1/16".

[sukemecuke]

It's steel, something like 16 gauge... 1/16".

sweet I will see if I can find a steel yard at home to see if I can pick some up. I will just weld it on the outside then if thats the case. I just wanna keep stuff out, like water and mud.

[Timmay]

sweet I will see if I can find a steel yard at home to see if I can pick some up. I will just weld it on the outside then if thats the case. I just wanna keep stuff out, like water and mud.

:thumbsup: That'll work fine.

[sukemecuke]

:thumbsup: That'll work fine.


cool. This should be a fun experience. I have never welded anything myself. I have watched quite a bit but this is my first project on my own. I figured I could start with the bottom cause that doesn't have to look very pretty. Plus all the booger welds are gonna be covered with herculiner anyways.

[willy_fricken_wonka]

you got to start some where right, that sounds like a good place to start to me. good luck hope it turns out well.