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Welding



  Ph1 track 172
Was not actually sure where to put this thread.

Where to people tend to go for their welding work? (ideally in Essex).
Things i was thinking was:
  • Seat bars
  • Roll cage
  • Polybush sleeves

I guess my concern is a lot of typical garages would not really understand what you are asking for.
 

thecrim22

ClioSport Club Member
  various
Was not actually sure where to put this thread.

Where to people tend to go for their welding work? (ideally in Essex).
Things i was thinking was:
  • Seat bars
  • Roll cage
  • Polybush sleeves

I guess my concern is a lot of typical garages would not really understand what you are asking for.
Buy a mig welder and do it yourself, will save you a fortune and plus you learn new stuff and can fix the sills when they go
 

R3k1355

ClioSport Club Member
You can weld a roll cage yourself, but if you're a novice you're best taking it to a specialist cage maker so you can be sure it'll pass inspection.

What do you mean by polybush sleeves?
 

thecrim22

ClioSport Club Member
  various
Love how people think you can just buy a welder and all the equipment and spend the time learning to weld and then finding the time learning how to weld then actually welding something that's decent just like that 😂😂

Unbelievable
Any monkey can mig weld hardest part is getting the damn thing set right!!

But for someone with an old clio its a handy skill to have
 

R3k1355

ClioSport Club Member
Nickson Motorsport are very good, not in Essex but worth the trip for their excellent reputation.

8755638600_39cf8817bf_b.jpg

8759375144_022df18090_b.jpg


Nickson Motorsport Ltd
Unit 8, Bethwins Farm,
Chiddingfold,
Surrey
GU8 4SL
 
  Ph1 track 172
I guess what i wanted to understand was if people go to welding specialists, or motorsport specialists for their welding and if anyone had any recommendations in Essex.

For reference, i have a cage, i am looking to get some cage mounts welded correctly.
Also re the polybush sleeves, instructions suggest that you weld the outer sleeve to the rear beam/wishbones, but i guess anyone with a welder could do this.

I'll be honest, learning to weld is not an idea I'm wildly into a the moment, especially if the learning curve is on my own project.
 

Mr Underhill

ClioSport Club Member
1980 - 16 and a Young YTS.
Gaffer - can you weld?
Me - Nope!
Gaffer - See that welder over there and those welding rods, get some of that scrap sheet steel and start welding. If it looks like chicken s**t when I get back in a couple of hours, I'm sending you back to the training centre. And wear a mask.

200.gif


200.gif


Joined a band :ROFLMAO:
 

thecrim22

ClioSport Club Member
  various
1980 - 16 and a Young YTS.
Gaffer - can you weld?
Me - Nope!
Gaffer - See that welder over there and those welding rods, get some of that scrap sheet steel and start welding. If it looks like chicken s**t when I get back in a couple of hours, I'm sending you back to the training centre. And wear a mask.

View attachment 1659705

View attachment 1659706

Joined a band :ROFLMAO:
To be honest best way to learn is get stuck in, with stick handy to have someone show basic techniques then have at it
 

Mr Underhill

ClioSport Club Member
To be honest best way to learn is get stuck in, with stick handy to have someone show basic techniques then have at it
I wasn't too bad, to be honest. Burning through the steel was my initial issue, then getting the rods stuck as not enough heat.

Once I sussed that I was away.

As luck would have it, the drummer turned out to be a time-served welder. He did a ton of work on my Celica rallycross car and showed me a few tips.

I haven't tried to get back into it as my car isn't too rotten at the moment, but I definitely wouldn't be scared to get stuck in again.
 
  406 V6, Race Buggy
Welding is fairly easy
Welding a cage and getting it fitting correctly, upside down with your head wedged in a footwell when you can barely see, is another matter completely. If it's a premade cage and you're just welding footpads in, sure.
 
  406 V6, Race Buggy
But yes, you'd want a motorsport specialist really, most garages won't even touch it and the ones that do weld are scary.
And a lot of welding firms are generally setup for bench or heavy fabrication work rather than thin old steel and tubework with awkward access.
 

Sir Nancy Flowers

ClioSport Club Member
  M140i
Love how people think you can just buy a welder and all the equipment and spend the time learning to weld and then finding the time learning how to weld then actually welding something that's decent just like that 😂😂

Unbelievable
Dear Daniel,

Unsure on your previous comments. Please see my first attempt at stick welding below. I must be naturally gifted?

Yours Truly,

William

20231006_182245.jpg
 

TheCAB

ClioSport Club Member
  Clio Cup 172
Dear Daniel,

Unsure on your previous comments. Please see my first attempt at stick welding below. I must be naturally gifted?

Yours Truly,

William

View attachment 1664482
Stick welding not really practical for car repairs, more suited to steel fabricstion / site welding where thicker steel sections are used. Your first welds are unfortunately sat on top of the steel with no penetration. Mig / Tig welding is the way to go really for car stuff with mig being the easier to start with IMO.
 

Sir Nancy Flowers

ClioSport Club Member
  M140i
Stick welding not really practical for car repairs, more suited to steel fabricstion / site welding where thicker steel sections are used. Your first welds are unfortunately sat on top of the steel with no penetration. Mig / Tig welding is the way to go really for car stuff with mig being the easier to start with IMO.
Thanks for the advice - at this stage its all about learning for me.

I did have a feeling that stick wasnt going to ever be great for car repairs - luckily I dont need to do any car repairs at present. Its more just learning how it works for the minute as a very low cost option. I was gifted the welder, the sticks were cheap as chips and the rest im slowly accumilating. One thing I will say though is that I seem to really enjoy it.

I will be sure to go Mig at some stage as I think that will be more my style. But naturally a Mig welder is a fair whack more money.
 

TheCAB

ClioSport Club Member
  Clio Cup 172
Thanks for the advice - at this stage its all about learning for me.

I did have a feeling that stick wasnt going to ever be great for car repairs - luckily I dont need to do any car repairs at present. Its more just learning how it works for the minute as a very low cost option. I was gifted the welder, the sticks were cheap as chips and the rest im slowly accumilating. One thing I will say though is that I seem to really enjoy it.

I will be sure to go Mig at some stage as I think that will be more my style. But naturally a Mig welder is a fair whack more money.
Ah, a good way to explore then and learn a new skill set.

Always lots of cheap second hand "hobby" type mig welders about when you feel the need to have a go. Seems that a lot of people buy them then, finding its not as easy as it looks , and a bit of a steep learning curve a swell so they stick them away in a corner. So very little usage.

Anyway good luck with your welding venture and just a tip is that welding is done a lot with your "ears" would you believe. You learn to tell the unique sound of a good penetrating weld.
 

Sir Nancy Flowers

ClioSport Club Member
  M140i
Ah, a good way to explore then and learn a new skill set.

Always lots of cheap second hand "hobby" type mig welders about when you feel the need to have a go. Seems that a lot of people buy them then, finding its not as easy as it looks , and a bit of a steep learning curve a swell so they stick them away in a corner. So very little usage.

Anyway good luck with your welding venture and just a tip is that welding is done a lot with your "ears" would you believe. You learn to tell the unique sound of a good penetrating weld.
Thanks again for the advice :)

Ill carry on with the stick for the minute and see how I go. I quite fancy building a rack for my spare wheels to sit on - should be a good challenge!

Ill also keep my eyes peeled on FB Marketplace for some second hand ones.

Interesting about the ear comment - something to focus on :)
 

Mavez

ClioSport Club Member
  Clio & No Megane
Thanks for the advice - at this stage its all about learning for me.

I did have a feeling that stick wasnt going to ever be great for car repairs - luckily I dont need to do any car repairs at present. Its more just learning how it works for the minute as a very low cost option. I was gifted the welder, the sticks were cheap as chips and the rest im slowly accumilating. One thing I will say though is that I seem to really enjoy it.

I will be sure to go Mig at some stage as I think that will be more my style. But naturally a Mig welder is a fair whack more money.
Keep practicing and stick with it (no pun intended). Honestly I bought a R-Tech 180 MIG welder about 5 years ago and it has been the best thing I've ever bought. The ability to buy a bunch of steel and turn it into something cool and useful is addictive.
 

Sir Nancy Flowers

ClioSport Club Member
  M140i
Here's one for you chaps

What do we think about this? I've got this lovely vice that has adjustable angle etc. It was given to me by an engineer and I really want to put it to work.

Problem is, the slider is operated back and forward by the larger of the two pieces (threaded) and is held in by the smaller of the two pieces. So. They need to become 1 again 🤣.

It doesn't need to be incredibly strong but if I stuck a couple of beads on it - do we think its gonna work?

Pencil for scale (I didn't have a banana)

20231010_155557.jpg
 
Here's one for you chaps

What do we think about this? I've got this lovely vice that has adjustable angle etc. It was given to me by an engineer and I really want to put it to work.

Problem is, the slider is operated back and forward by the larger of the two pieces (threaded) and is held in by the smaller of the two pieces. So. They need to become 1 again 🤣.

It doesn't need to be incredibly strong but if I stuck a couple of beads on it - do we think its gonna work?

Pencil for scale (I didn't have a banana)

View attachment 1664656
Stub it
 

thecrim22

ClioSport Club Member
  various
Here's one for you chaps

What do we think about this? I've got this lovely vice that has adjustable angle etc. It was given to me by an engineer and I really want to put it to work.

Problem is, the slider is operated back and forward by the larger of the two pieces (threaded) and is held in by the smaller of the two pieces. So. They need to become 1 again 🤣.

It doesn't need to be incredibly strong but if I stuck a couple of beads on it - do we think its gonna work?

Pencil for scale (I didn't have a banana)

View attachment 1664656
Get the trained pigeons out and send it!!
 

TheCAB

ClioSport Club Member
  Clio Cup 172
Thanks again for the advice :)

Ill carry on with the stick for the minute and see how I go. I quite fancy building a rack for my spare wheels to sit on - should be a good challenge!

Ill also keep my eyes peeled on FB Marketplace for some second hand ones.

Interesting about the ear comment - something to focus on :)

Good site for general welding advice / tips / etc
 
  Ph1 track 172
AW Motorworks is your man. Alex has looked after my race car for years. He's in Braintree. PM me for his number

Sadly AW Motorworks werent interested :(
I also had a generic mobile welder come over to have a look, and they werent interested either.

Sounds like i need to find a motorsport specialist, ideally locally so i dont spend a fortune on transporting it the shell.

I also don't really want to own a welder and learn to weld practicing on my own car.

Thankfully i found a friend who was able to do my rear beam bearings, and im considering just bolting the cage in so might not even need welding there, but im buggered if i cannot find someone to weld some seatrails after i cut one of the existing ones out. Really regret cutting the original rear seat rail out.
 

mintno1

ClioSport Club Member
  Ph1 172 / Mk1 Valver
Sadly AW Motorworks werent interested :(
I also had a generic mobile welder come over to have a look, and they werent interested either.

Sounds like i need to find a motorsport specialist, ideally locally so i dont spend a fortune on transporting it the shell.

I also don't really want to own a welder and learn to weld practicing on my own car.

Thankfully i found a friend who was able to do my rear beam bearings, and im considering just bolting the cage in so might not even need welding there, but im buggered if i cannot find someone to weld some seatrails after i cut one of the existing ones out. Really regret cutting the original rear seat rail out.
Where about's in Essex are you? I had someone do some work on my Ph1 last week, exhaust related, not exactly what you are looking for but he does all kinds of fabrication, I could ask if he would be interested in what you are looking for (y)
 
  Ph1 track 172
Where about's in Essex are you? I had someone do some work on my Ph1 last week, exhaust related, not exactly what you are looking for but he does all kinds of fabrication, I could ask if he would be interested in what you are looking for (y)

That would be nice, thanks! I am based in Leigh-on-Sea but its currently a rolling shell so can transport it from a to b.
Where abouts its this person located?

It would now be:
  • Rear cage base plates
  • Seat rails
  • Plate over handbrake hole
 

mintno1

ClioSport Club Member
  Ph1 172 / Mk1 Valver
@Struggler Sounded him out and he said that's something he could help with, he's up near Cambridge/Royston so not that close but not a million miles away, he's called Harry, he's on Instagram as @hr.fabrication you'll be able to see the work he has done recently, hopefully he can help (y)
 
  Ph1 track 172
Ahh that is a little big too far as I'm in south Essex, i might keep up the hunt for something closer but i will bear this in mind, thanks.
 

npt

  BMW 320d- 172 cup
If you have the rails and rear plates and you know where they are to be fitted, go to your local small engineering firm, they'll weld them in on a Saturday morning for some cash maybe, wouldn't take no time if the seat was out etc
 


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