Welding on some brackets

[Vexy]

I have a cheapie 110v 90 amp Harbor Freight Flux Core welder. Soon, I am going to have to weld on RuffStuff's beefy hardware from its 8.8 simple swap kit. It is 1/4", so that has me a bit worried about penetration with my little welder. I am comfortable welding with my machine, but do you think I should take it to a local shop to have it done?
Maybe a pass on both sides(inner and outer) of the brackets will provide a strong enough weld...

 

[Vexy]

Here are the welds that are on the stock leaf perches.

For the amount of abuse that these stock welds took, I think my welds might do alright...

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I would weld on brackets and have with my lincoln weldpac 100. Sometimes it'll take multi passes with cleaning between. And grind a vee if needed for better penetration.

Richard

 

[Vexy]

Okay, and I am assuming that I should let the welds cool down completely in between the first and second passes? Last thing I want is warpage.

 

[4x4junkie]

I'd suggest taking that in somewhere if you don't have a 220V machine (especially if all you have is a china 90 amper). Last thing you'll want happening is it coming apart when you floor it to pass some schmoe who keeps getting in your way on the freeway.

 

[Vexy]

I'd suggest taking that in somewhere if you don't have a 220V machine (especially if all you have is a china 90 amper). Last thing you'll want happening is it coming apart when you floor it to pass some schmoe who keeps getting in your way on the freeway.

You really think these brackets take that much abuse?
And yea, it is a china welder, but it aint no glue gun either. As said above, I might be able to put a bevel on it and do a 2 pass weld. Ah, decisions.

 

[legoms013]

110v mig/flux core cannot provide a safe amount of penetration. It is just not hot enough.

Borrow or have someone with a 220V MIG/Stick weld it.

This is not something to skimp on.

You can use your buzz box though to weld the shock mounts on...

 

[4.0B2]

find a better machine to do it with.. somethings i wouldn't trust a 110 unit to do, and that's one of them.

 

[kcm1582]

You really think these brackets take that much abuse?
And yea, it is a china welder, but it aint no glue gun either. As said above, I might be able to put a bevel on it and do a 2 pass weld. Ah, decisions.

They take enough that the proper equipment should be used to weld them on.

It may not be a "glue gun", but a 90 amp welder is well short of what is needed to burn in 1/4". I know its not quite the same but when I weld 1/4" with my stick welder and 7018(roughly equivalent to most flux cored wire) I run somewhere around 125-130 amps. Multiple passes wont make up for an under powered welder, however if you are deadset on doing it yourself try practicing on some scrap metal and preheat the area to be welded, or find a stronger(220v) welder.

 

[legoms013]

They take enough that the proper equipment should be used to weld them on.

It may not be a "glue gun", but a 90 amp welder is well short of what is needed to burn in 1/4". I know its not quite the same but when I weld 1/4" with my stick welder and 7018(roughly equivalent to most flux cored wire) I run somewhere around 125-130 amps. Multiple passes wont make up for an under powered welder, however if you are deadset on doing it yourself try practicing on some scrap metal and preheat the area to be welded, or find a stronger(220v) welder.

That's exactly how I burned mine on, 7018, 'bout 130 amps with a lil preheat. Those suckers aren't going anywhere.

 

[Vexy]

I guess I'll try and find a place that can do it for me then... Do I have to take it to a strictly automotive place? Or should any welding shop be able to do it for me?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

It seems that I'm outvoted but I think that a lot of strength will be gained by the u-bolts clamping force.

Richard

 

[Vexy]

It seems that I'm outvoted but I think that a lot of strength will be gained by the u-bolts clamping force.

Richard

Never thought of that. I think grinding a bevel might be enough, but everyone else thinks otherwise. To each his own I guess...

 

[4x4junkie]

The U-bolts only clamp it together, they don't do much to keep the axle from rotating within them if the welds were to fail.

 

[4.0B2]

why do people ask for advice then disagree and almost argue w/ the advice given?

your truck, if you wanna try it.. go for it. i'm just glad you won't be driving next to me. be safe.. do it right, do it once.

i'm not saying you are "arguing".. but that seems to be the general thing around here. people ask then get answers they don't like and argue about it and do what they want anyways... so why waste time for everyone? lol.