My Cuda Project Part II...now at Bruning Auto Design

[Ketzer]

I've been cussing some of my own patch-panel work all week, seeing the before pics here makes me feel a little better about my own efforts. Sorry, but that stuff really is awful.

[DRJDVM's '69]

Believe me guys... I know how crappy the car ended up, so you wont hurt my feelings by telling it like it is..... its in excellent hands now, so I feel alot better.

As for the work.... I've only been welding for around 2 years now and I am dead on convinced that I could have done better work than that... I mean come on, man.... and it wouldnt have cost me much $$ to butcher it myself.

As for the MIG vs TIG....... I'm a complete amateur but heres my take.... if you can TIG it, then do it...... MIG will work okay alot of the time but you have to stick to some basic principles and techniques...nice gaps and fitment and heat control are key. MIG also doesnt give you much ability to work the metal after the weld, while TIG does, so it allows you to finesse the area more after welding.

I think for alot of guys MIG will be just fine but you need to take your time and stick to a good technique

[tjbruning]

Originally Posted by DRJDVM's '69

Believe me guys... I know how crappy the car ended up, so you wont hurt my feelings by telling it like it is..... its in excellent hands now, so I feel alot better.

As for the work.... I've only been welding for around 2 years now and I am dead on convinced that I could have done better work than that... I mean come on, man.... and it wouldnt have cost me much $$ to butcher it myself.

As for the MIG vs TIG....... I'm a complete amateur but heres my take.... if you can TIG it, then do it...... MIG will work okay alot of the time but you have to stick to some basic principles and techniques...nice gaps and fitment and heat control are key. MIG also doesnt give you much ability to work the metal after the weld, while TIG does, so it allows you to finesse the area more after welding.

I think for alot of guys MIG will be just fine but you need to take your time and stick to a good technique

Two pieces fusion tacked (no filler) for perfect fitment - Weld is virtually seamless after it is fully welded and metal finished.



Backside of radius

[patriotformula]

Bruning,
Sorry I wasn't trying to come across suggesting (although I did not intend to) that your work was overpriced or anything. I can imagine that it is always cheaper to have it done right the first time... (unless you are someone who just simply doesn't mind hack work which I'm sure there are some out there. Your work looks great, actually it made me go home and get behind the tig torch last night for a while.

You said though that the whole inter fender well panel will be fusion welded (no filler rod?). Just for reference what type of amperage do you have your tig set on when you do thing gauge sheet metal work like that? I seem to warp thinner metal like that, but I'm sure that has a lot to do with skill as well.
Anyways, please keep us updated on the progress... love the pictures!

[tjbruning]

Originally Posted by patriotformula

Bruning,
Sorry I wasn't trying to come across suggesting (although I did not intend to) that your work was overpriced or anything. I can imagine that it is always cheaper to have it done right the first time... (unless you are someone who just simply doesn't mind hack work which I'm sure there are some out there. Your work looks great, actually it made me go home and get behind the tig torch last night for a while.

You said though that the whole inter fender well panel will be fusion welded (no filler rod?). Just for reference what type of amperage do you have your tig set on when you do thing gauge sheet metal work like that? I seem to warp thinner metal like that, but I'm sure that has a lot to do with skill as well.
Anyways, please keep us updated on the progress... love the pictures!

No worries... The initial tacks are fusion tacked together, but Tim used .030 filler rod when final welding. Machine is set at ~50 amps (but modulated with pedal)- Syncrowave 250, water cooled, foot pedal.

[reckn8]

Man I think the MIG welder is getting a little bit of a bad name here. Like any other tool, it is 98% the person running the machine.

[two68s]

Originally Posted by Bruning Auto Design

Two pieces fusion tacked (no filler) for perfect fitment - Weld is virtually seamless after it is fully welded and metal finished.



Backside of radius

Damn I thought that was a single rolled panel in the earlier pics!!!! Nice work.