Tack Weld?

gwstang · Jun 13, 2015

Hey guys. I picked up the 24" x 24" expanded/flattened metal screen (diamond shaped) to add to the brush guard yesterday. Is it ok to tack weld this to the guard with my small MIG Welder with/gas? I've done welding off and on to my '66 mustang and other jobs. I'm use to the thin body panels on a car, but not this mesh/guard stuff. Just getting a plan of attack before remove the grill guard to perform this "delicate" operation...lol. I spent about 4 hours today getting the rebuilt oil pump and the oil pan back on my old Ford 8N. It's getting too dang hot/humid to be doing any serious work except in the early morning/late afternoon down here. I was dripping wet before finishing up that. The oil pan on those old Fords was also part of the frame to hold the front end/transmission together, so It weights about 85 lbs and is a pain in the behind to get back up there and all the bolts in. To get the pan off, you have to remove one side of the steering arm/tie rod end. Then roll that side of the front end forward out of the way. So, I had to get all of that lined back up/together. Lots of jacking and trying to line everything up. Big pain in the butt!

Glad the new Kubota has a real frame...lol.

If you've never worked on a '52 Ford, you have missed out on all the fun...lol :cool2: I finished a complete rebuild on the engine several months ago and it really picked up the power but the oil pump (rebuilt with new gears) would not hold the prime overnight and I was very tired of having to prime it. So I did all the above and sent it to a fellow that performs that type of work as a service. Hope it holds prime now because I am not doing that again...

k0ua · Jun 14, 2015

I would think your MIG would be the ideal process to join the expanded metal to your brush guard. What I would do if you have enough spare expanded metal is practice tacking it to some similar metal as your original brush guard. This will allow you to refine your technique, so the finished product will be an example of your best work. Take some pictures of the process and post em up.

gwdixon · Jun 14, 2015

Expanded metal will evaporate in a flash! It absorbs the heat and burns off in no time. Reminds me of a July 4 sparkler.

The best method that I've found is to start the arc on the base metal and then move the arc over to the expanded metal. Just touch the mesh. As k0ua states, practice first.

You might also post the question on the "Welding" forum. Some really knowledgeable guys over there.

k0ua · Jun 14, 2015

gwdixon said:
Expanded metal will evaporate in a flash! It absorbs the heat and burns off in no time. Reminds me of a July 4 sparkler.

The best method that I've found is to start the arc on the base metal and then move the arc over to the expanded metal. Just touch the mesh. As k0ua states, practice first.

You might also post the question on the "Welding" forum. Some really knowledgeable guys over there.

Yeah, I would probably TIG it for the extra control, but I would think a MIG set correctly could do a great job also. A little practice on a scrap piece would tell the tale of how to set things.

rswyan · Jun 14, 2015

I MIG'ed the expanded metal onto mine ...

Gary Fowler · Jun 14, 2015

MIG would be excellent with small wire but I have tacked a lot of expanded metal with stick rod. The secret is to strike the arc on the heavy metal and then move close to the expanded metal so the puddle flows to it then pull out just like GWDixon stated. I like to use the 7018 in 3/32" size rod for this because it has less arc blow than a 6010 and also better flow-ability. It is a bit harder to restart but it welds so much better than the 60XX series.

bumperm · Jun 14, 2015

MIG will be faster and do just fine . . . just don't do it in the wind as it'll blow away the shield gas (grin). If the welds were visible or if welding stainless, I'd use TIG for the additional control and finesse.

gwstang · Jun 14, 2015

Thanks everyone. It has gotten too dang hot down here. 95F the whole week. I was finishing up the '52 and dang near passed out. The humidity has been very high too and that just makes it more miserable. I will try to get to the brush guard later this week. I work a week 84 hours and then off a week. Sometimes it's hard to get everything done. I have to use the kubota and finishing mower to cut tomorrow and then put the boxblade on and "fix" the driveway as the red head has been down at the beach with some girl friends and is returning tomorrow evening...I better have the grass mowed/driveway smooth, or else.

Probably sick the chihuahuas on me again!