If you weld, you should read this!!!

kwhauck · 01-24-2010, 10:30 AM

It's one professional welders experience using brake clean to clean parts before welding because he was out of his normal carb cleaner. It's scary because most people wouldn't even think about it before doing it...

http://www.brewracingframes.com/id75.htm

With that said,cleaning the area with a grinder, sand paper, flap wheel or wire brush is about as much as you need to do for prep work before welding and this story is one reason why you don't use solvents.

I had never thought about this and could easily have done this myself since a case of brake parts cleaner is usually my parts washer.....

Ttop191 · 01-24-2010, 10:44 AM

Wow...I just started a welding class Tuesday...makes me wanna read all about this stuff now...

cherrington17 · 01-24-2010, 10:57 AM

good read. definitely read labels!

bdyman · 01-24-2010, 11:01 AM

well iam sorry but i have never used carb or brake clean before welding, never even knew you could just using the stuff cleaning parts its strong and makes ya cough a bit

it was stupidity on his part, he should know that companyies like 3m make a weld through primer, not to mention the metal once grinded clean ya dont really need anything else to clean the metal, thats what the shielding gas is for

sorry but its his own fault for using that product to weld

Nate's Alero · 01-24-2010, 11:06 AM

Holy crap.... i'm glad i read this, i've been a welder at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for about 9 months... and i haven't used a solvent yet, i usually just use a metal grinder wheel, and a wire brush... and it's good... thanks for posting this

A57 · 01-24-2010, 12:30 PM

Umm someone that really need to go to welding school....or not to ever pick up welder at all...

kinda fell sorry for that guy.

JLw7123 · 01-24-2010, 02:20 PM

ya read the labels before you use the product.

rida125 · 01-24-2010, 09:36 PM

yeah, why would you need to use a solvent to clean anything before you weld anything, like everybody is saying all really need is to get any of the big crap off the metal that would cause trouble with the bead, and then your good.

AleroDrime · 01-25-2010, 03:54 PM

wow, im glad we sandblast in the Baja shop

zoL · 02-04-2010, 11:01 PM

Can I get a tl;dr?

MMGT1 · 03-18-2012, 11:31 AM

Wow, I am a Welder Operator by trade and never, ever have I seen anyone use solvents to prep metal for welding. Through training in my 25 tickets including AWS, CWB, T.S.S.A. and NASA cert in Tig Aluminum the only one I ever had to use was alcohol. Under NASA certification I had to use Alcohol to wipe the aluminum TIG rods before using. If the rod touched any surface after the alcohol wipe it was to be discarded. Nowhere have I ever herd that it was a good idea to use a solvents on anything! If there was anything in the metal that needed removing, you grind, sand, wipe with clean rags, or torch. And always in a properly ventilated area. Hell, my welding helmet is feed by a fresh air respirator that keeps the helmet pressurized so nothing gets to my lungs without passing through a 4 stage filter that is strapped to my back! A 600 dollar investment that more people need to pop the coin on imo!!

[ion] C2 · 03-18-2012, 12:57 PM

It's a great idea to clean the metals first if you want a nice bead. My fabricator has always used non-chlorinated brake cleaner for all his surfaces before TIG welding. Also, this thread is 2+ years old.

MMGT1 · 03-18-2012, 05:24 PM

I did see that cuz Ive been reading the old threads here...lol Little time killer I guess man. I would advise to stay away from the solvents alltogether dude, it's just not good practice.

happyisthealero · 03-18-2012, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMGT1

A 600 dollar investment that more people need to pop the coin on imo!!

600? Wow! from where? miller sells one 1300-1500 range. I definately need one I cant stand the smell of welding fumes. Let me know thanks

MMGT1 · 03-20-2012, 11:58 AM

I use the Esab 9/13 with the 160 fresh air supplier. Bought mine about 11 years ago though... no idea what its worth now, but it's an amazing helmet. Helmet was 575 and supply was 600 at that time. Been able to use it with stick, aluminum tig, flux core, mig and stainless tig. The range of the esab and clarity of lens is second to none imo

AleroB888 · 03-20-2012, 03:12 PM

I want to buy the Miller Diversion 180 TIG welder. So I need somebody to talk me out of it.....

and yes, I saw the "welding for dummies" book there with it, lol
and only 3/16 inch thick capable, it says.

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...p?model=M00337

AGT · 03-20-2012, 03:37 PM

Zol with his tl;dr is killing me.

1 sentence...what is is this about

2 sentences...get to the effing point

3 sentences... tl;dr

AleroB888 · 03-22-2012, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AleroB888

I want to buy the Miller Diversion 180 TIG welder. So I need somebody to talk me out of it.....

and yes, I saw the "welding for dummies" book there with it, lol
and only 3/16 inch thick capable, it says.

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...p?model=M00337

Nothing on this one?? Can operate on 110 V....

MMGT1 · 03-22-2012, 05:00 PM

If it's only light gauge you want to work with that one looks just fine. If you have the room though B, I'd buy a full size stick or "Arc Welder" used and then buy the TIG kit for it. You reverse the polarity on the Arc welder when you attach the TIG kit and you can weld anything your heart desires man.

happyisthealero · 03-22-2012, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMGT1

I use the Esab 9/13 with the 160 fresh air supplier. Bought mine about 11 years ago though... no idea what its worth now, but it's an amazing helmet. Helmet was 575 and supply was 600 at that time. Been able to use it with stick, aluminum tig, flux core, mig and stainless tig. The range of the esab and clarity of lens is second to none imo

you gotta link? Im having trouble finding one