Welding tips?

[smac4494]

may be a colossal r****d here so please forgive.

I need to do some welding on the inside of my car. Trouble is I need to take the welding unit in the car with me. So the welding unit and myself will be stood on the metal that I'm welding.

Basically do I need to do anything extra to ground things? I'm using an arc welder.

 

[Sash]

All credit for giving it a go yourself, but if you're having to ask these questions maybe you should leave it to someone who knows what they're doing or at least get them to supervise? What are you welding? The welder should have long enough reach to stay outside the car I would have thought - unless you're welding the centre of a limo!

 

[Jaff.]

Youl be fine. The welding machine will be insulated and the path to earth will be through the earthing clamp.

I'd be more worried about the heat generated If your close to it

 

[smac4494]

unless you're welding the centre of a limo!

Funny you should say that...

Youl be fine. The welding machine will be insulated and the path to earth will be through the earthing clamp.

I'd be more worried about the heat generated If your close to it

Thanks

 

[dci172]

No problem at all what you welding? I'd stay clear of welding your car with a stick welder unless your competent

 

[Dan@SJM]

As above really, I wouldn't be using an arc welder!

 

[car.crash]

There is a really good website for welding with lots of info and guides.
It's well worth a read if you're new to it all.
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/

 

[Jaff.]

If he's doing some heavy metal work an arc wouldn't be too bad.

 

[Symon]

I would invest in a Mig welder.
We have had a Clarke Turbo weld 130TE for nearly 20 years here, and it is still going strong. It has welded up a few cars that were completely rotten so has certainly earned its keep.
I am not keen on the no-gas variants. They are ok in some ways, like you don't need to buy gas and the wind doesn't blow the gas away if you are welding outside but the "Flux" inside the wire leaves a residue that has to be chipped off afterwards. And the wire is expensive...

 

[Dan@SJM]

If he's doing some heavy metal work an arc wouldn't be too bad.

Where would he be welding heavy metalwork inside the car?!

 

[MG cup]

Remove the + and - to the battery as I have seen people frying ECU's otherwise..... and good luck arc welding sheet metal, let alone a clio which is galvanised.

 

[Jaff.]

Where would he be welding heavy metalwork inside the car?!

The words limo were mentioned.

I've got visions of a clio limo

 

[smac4494]

Not a clio. It used to be a mini bus. But the last owner bolted in some kitchen appliances. And now every single bolt has sheared.