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03-20-2013, 10:44 AM | #1 |
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Welding safety question
I need to make 4 tack welds on the rear brake drum retainers I am installing on the left rear wheel of my 40. This is a proto-type retainer and it has to be welded while on the car to fit properly. Since MIG welders make sparks I am concerned about possible fumes from the gas tank filler pipe or tank vent causing an explosion as the filler pipe is so close to the rear wheel area. I don't currently smell any gasolene fumes or know of any leaks, but still am concerned. If I shield off the area inside the fender opening or use a fan to blow away any possible fumes do you think it will be safe to make the tack welds. I will disconnect the battery. Thanks.
Last edited by 19Fordy; 03-20-2013 at 11:55 AM. |
03-20-2013, 11:03 AM | #2 |
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Re: Welding safety question
I think (IMHO) that you'd be ok if you have some type of shielding. If you're only doing a tack weld or two, there shouldn't be too many sparks. Keep in mind that if you have a fan running, in addition to removing gasoline fumes, you'll also be blowing away shielding gas so you want to turn up the gas flow in that event.
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03-20-2013, 11:05 AM | #3 |
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Re: Welding safety question
TIG weld it.
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03-20-2013, 11:56 AM | #4 |
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Re: Welding safety question
Seth, That was my first thought, BUT I don't have a TIG welder.
It would be neat if there was a "sparkless MIG". Maybe I could wrap the filler pipe area with a fireproof blanket or some other material. Last edited by 19Fordy; 03-20-2013 at 12:02 PM. |
03-20-2013, 12:47 PM | #5 |
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Re: Welding safety question
I am puzzled about what you are going to weld those onto?
I made some also, after they were formed mine bolt onto the wheel cyl. bolt holes. no welding required. |
03-20-2013, 12:54 PM | #6 |
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Re: Welding safety question
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03-20-2013, 01:04 PM | #7 |
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Re: Welding safety question
I tigged a small piece of a clutch fork that broke on a vw bus once. Gas tank is just a foot above it. Layered a bunch of sheet metal to create a barrier and had someone with a fire extinguisher close buy. All went well, but it was a little nervy.
I'd wrap it with a wet blanket (or a fire blanket) like peewee said, wedge some sheet metal as a shield (you wouldn't want a spark to sit on the blanket), and tac it. More barriers the better. Be careful and if you don't feel good about it, don't do it. Last edited by Tinker; 03-20-2013 at 01:17 PM. |
03-20-2013, 01:23 PM | #8 |
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Re: Welding safety question
Mine also bolt to the wheel cylinders, but I have an idea to make them stronger which requires joining both of the separate brackets together with another piece of steel so that both brackets can be removed and installed as one unit.
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03-20-2013, 01:56 PM | #9 |
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Re: Welding safety question
You could use a spot weld noozle which confines all of the sparks. They make them for the flat position or an inside corner. G.M.
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03-20-2013, 01:57 PM | #10 |
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Re: Welding safety question
Bolt and/or drill and tap assy together while in place, -then remove and weld as required.
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03-20-2013, 02:08 PM | #11 |
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Re: Welding safety question
19FORDY
Bolt them to an old wheel cylinder and do your welding on the bench, away from the gas fumes. Bruce Works good Lasts long time |
03-20-2013, 02:29 PM | #12 |
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Re: Welding safety question
I was in the auto body business for 25 years and when replacing a 1/4 panel on the gas filler side, we always draped a water soaked rag around the filler opening with the cap on. At that time we were brazing with an open torch flame. I was always nervous about this, but more experienced workers had no qualms. Never saw or had a problem or heard of a problem using this technique.
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03-20-2013, 02:47 PM | #13 |
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Re: Welding safety question
Id weld that in place and not give it a second thought … after checking that any rubber tubing is in good condition.
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03-20-2013, 03:00 PM | #14 |
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Re: Welding safety question
If you are jacking the car up I would jack it up the day before you are going to do the welding to prevent the gas from sloshing around and causing fumes. Be sure to cover the vent tube and the filler neck and have a good fire extinguisher handy.
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03-20-2013, 03:14 PM | #15 |
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Re: Welding safety question
Thanks for all the answers. I did more thinking and used a strip of metal and JB Weld to temporarily keep the two brackets "in position" before removing them as one unit. That way they remained in the same position as when secured to the wheel cylinders. Now I can use my MIG welder at my workbench and also remove the JB welded piece. Thanks again to all who responded.
Last edited by 19Fordy; 03-21-2013 at 11:16 AM. |
03-20-2013, 09:58 PM | #16 |
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Re: Welding safety question
I think that's a great idea. How about some pics when you have finished them?
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03-21-2013, 06:23 AM | #17 |
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Re: Welding safety question
Did you consider making the retainer out of one piece and holding it with the brake anchor pin nut?
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03-21-2013, 07:54 AM | #18 |
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Re: Welding safety question
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03-21-2013, 09:43 AM | #19 | |
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Re: Welding safety question
Quote:
At first i made the retainer out of one piece of 3/16 in. thick metal but found that I could not obtain sufficient clearance between the inside dia. of my 15 in. wheel and the the top surface of the retainer. If I were using the stock 16 in. rims there would be less of a clearance problem. My goal is to make a very sturdy brake drum retainer out of 3/16 in. steel that will allow the use of a 15 in. rim on the 1939 MT Products Lincoln brake drum kit. Last edited by 19Fordy; 03-21-2013 at 04:57 PM. |
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03-21-2013, 09:45 AM | #20 |
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Re: Welding safety question
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03-21-2013, 12:50 PM | #21 |
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Re: Welding safety question
Could have just bought the ones speedway and other vendors sell??
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03-21-2013, 01:14 PM | #22 |
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Re: Welding safety question
Jim said they didn't fit his new MT drums. DD
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