Safety welding

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I bought a welder to do body work on my '71 Bronco and recently upgraded to a Thermal Arc 211i.  What I'm not sure about is how to judge when I'm good enough to weld items like cages and suspension that have serious safety implications? I can lay down a decent bead and have equipment that will do the job, but don't know how to tell if a part I've worked on is safe in a high-load, high-risk application. I know most of the time a decent bead will be good enough, but I'm uncomfortable with "good enough" when we're talking about an item designed to protect my family. Thoughts?
Reply:Destructive tests give you a clue.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:NHRA has a manual that defines the minimum requirements for structural cage and chassis welds.  I think most of that MUST be TIG welded.  Check with the NHRA.Somewhere in this forum I think Zapster posted a link to the NHRA manual, I just can't find it at the moment...- MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Reply:I can lay down a decent bead and have equipment that will do the job, but don't know how to tell if a part I've worked on is safe in a high-load, high-risk application. I know most of the time a decent bead will be good enough,
Reply:Come on you guys. Dont be telling him he needs an experienced welder to do his work for him.  He is experienced he said he can lay down a good looking weld. At least a good good looking weld has a better chance than a poor one. Get two pieces of metal the same thickness as what you are going to weld and lay them down so you can make a lap weld about an inch long. Then back break it. If the base metal bends and the weld dont break then consider yourself a certified welder. You have just passed your own test. The weld just has to be as good as the base metal. I own a bronco and for the life of me I cant figure out what could be so critical about that thing. Ha. Go for it and dont pay any attention to anyone telling you different. Harold
Reply:Welderskelter,I hope you were being sarcastic in your comments,if not you are a f'n idiot.Drink a Guinness Draught....Millermatic 140Do you still rememberDecember's foggy freeze --when the ice thatclings on to your beard isscreaming agony.
Reply:do yourself and family a huge favor if your doing a roll cage of any kind and you have any value to your family have a professional welder do it. one who understands what weld will be best and the strengths of the said weld.*edit* if your a new welder that is, if your been doing it a while then Id look at min reqs like NHRA and I've always been told to double them for protection by a old welder I know who makes stock car and modified racing chassis that's his rule of thumb.don't mess with roll cages I lost a very good friend who cheaped out of his stock cars roll cage to save a buck and it costed him a lot more..Last edited by demonicwolf; 06-18-2013 at 11:02 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by k45Just because a bead looks "decent" does not mean that it's strong enough or has enough penetration.  "Pretty" does not necessarily equate to "strong".   "High-load, high-risk applications" should be done by experienced and qualified welders, lives are at stake.
Reply:Originally Posted by mortimersnerdI'm local to Denver, anyone know of a place I can have someone who know what they're doing take a look at my welds?
Reply:Buy yourself a bunch of setup material that duplicate  the welds in question. Cut up samples, prepare, tack, weld, and write down your settings, position, filler and filler size, preheat or not, ect. Weld one. The weld should be at least as big as the thinnest member. Check for undercut or cold lap. Adjust your settings and technique accordingly. Cut across the weld and check for your fusion to the root. Lastly bash it to see if it bends over or breaks off. If it works well, approve your written settings for future setup. Do more to confirm and until  confidence in your welds are established. This aint rocket science, but it does take patience and  tenacity. You will get it in no time. Show pictures and I am sure people can guide you along the way. Your machine is sweet by the way. Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Originally Posted by mortimersnerd  I'm local to Denver, anyone know of a place I can have someone who know what they're doing take a look at my welds?
Reply:I tend to learn the best and fastest when I am under a certain level of stress to get things right. The rest of the time I'm more just fooling around.Hey~!! It's a hobby. It's not supposed to make sense~!!
Reply:Originally Posted by KelvinMaybe try the local community college or technical school? It may be that the welding instructor(s) there are qualified to certify welders. If not, they should at least be able to help you do some destructive testing, since they should be teaching their students about that.
Reply:No GiddyWelder I was not being sarcastic here. I was stating a fact. I didnt see any reason for anybody to show their lack of raising here and use filth to sound like a 10 year old trying to impress another 10 year old with their knowledge of the English language. I am 63 and welded all my life and I believe in helping someone out when I can. Someday one of us might be the reason for someone to actually have confidence in him self and do something. I see no reason to talk him out of anything. If he can make his welds as strong as the base metal then he has done the same thing as the most experienced welder with a file drawer full of certifications. Hang in there mortimesnerdI know what it is like to not have the right schedule to go to school for something you want. I only had 2 weeks of welding school and I have spent my life welding in gas plants, pipelines and welding truck frames. Go for it in spite of all odds.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonDestructive tests give you a clue.
Reply:NHRA rules:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=257891