Expert Welders - please help!

Nelson wrote:

Makarth wrote:

As for the gas welding, in order for the rod your using to stick you have to begin to melt both pieces of metal you want to bind and insert the rod to bind the two melted beads. Its extremely hard to do especially if you dont have the proper heat output of your torch. Its alot like soldering electrical components.

yup, i know that much. i can usually do it fine with other things, just the swingarm is being really stubborn for some reason.

Too bad you're in CA. I'd do it for ya for free.

thanks caffcruiser! yeah i already decided to take the parts to a pro welder. there's a shop near my office, so why not. thanks for the tips everyone.

I've been contemplating doing something similiar to my GS aluminum arm. However, check out this KZ's torque arm bracket.


Post edited by: KZCSI, at: 2007/08/15 20:45

oh! that is hot! i'm gonna go back to calling my KZ1000 a cafe racer and drop the 'vintage superbike' moniker (though that is the class in AHRMA road racing my scoot would fall into).

THAT (above) is a vintage superbike, holy moly that...is...hot!

Ok I just wanted my bike in the thread next to that one...


Post edited by: sheik*yerbouti, at: 2007/08/15 20:23

sheik, you OR your Z have do not have a reason to take a back seat to anyone. Nice Work!!

Post edited by: inline4, at: 2007/08/15 21:05

Back in the twenties all they had was gas welding and even then they did a lot of brazing. I can gas weld and I wouldn't try it on an important frame part.

I can only imagine that your problem stems from the fact that you're having difficulties getting both sides of the weld up to a weldable temperature.

kzcsi

I agree, sounds like a heat problem. Perhaps the frame is drawing off heat? Usually if I have problems with the filler rod, it's due to a cold joint.

Out of curiosity did you have both base metals puddling before you began with the filler?

If so the only other thing I could think of would be maybe the impurities in the steel were burning off.

OK! start over.

Maybe we should add a line on welding 101.

Tell me if this is right guys...

I'm betting the plate you're welding on is substantially thicker than the wall thickness of the frame. So when you apply heat right at the joint, the heavier metal acts as a heat sink, just sucking off all the heat. Presto! filler won't stick to the thin stuff because it's too cold!

But the same principle applies to all welding. that's why most weld failures between dissimilar metals are at the joint at the thinner metal side.

inline4 wrote:

sheik, you OR your Z have do not have a reason to take a back seat to anyone. Nice Work!!<br><br>Post edited by: inline4, at: 2007/08/15 21:05

wow thanks i4! nice of you to say, i really appreciate it!

actually the plate is probably about the same thickness as the walls of the swingarm.

being that I'm rather persistent, I tried again tonight and succeeded in making a very nice, strong tack spot.

now the bracket is placed perfectly on the arm. next week I'll take it to a pro to finish the job and make sure it's strong.