Some quick tips please,...

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I have to weld for the first time today. It's something fairly simple. I just have to shorten the exhaust for my truck. I bought the mullfer for the extended cab instead of the regular cab.I know that I need to clean the metal aroudn teh areas that is going to be welded. I have to flare one end so that it overlaps the other. Whatelse?I have a miny mig. I have a 140HD Lincoln. It's came with wire. steel fluxcore and regular steel for gas. I dont have gas so I was going to use the fluxcore. I dont know how many types of fluxcore wire there is and I dont know off the top of my head what I have that came with it. But the exhuast is aluminuzed steel. Is that easy to weld? You think the wire that came with the welder will stick to that? Im hoping that someone here knows what comes with a Lincoln I can also buy some wire too. What do you guys think?
Reply:Well personally I would can the flux cored stuff but it will weld ok on the aluminised pipe. But as long as you have the correct settings I don't think you will have too much trouble!
Reply:avoid breathing  the fumes from the coating on the muffler..
Reply:Open the manual, follow the directions.Go to the Auto parts store and buy 2 pieces of the exhaust tube and do a practice run.Remove the coating with a flap disc, sander.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:If you do not have gas for your welder, you are going to have to use the cored wire.Cut the exhaust to desired length. Use a flapper wheel on your grinder and clean up the surfaces to be welded real well. If you can, then take the piece you are going to use to the muffler shop and have them flare the end out to the size you need. They will usually do it for cheap or free.Use the extra piece of exhaust that you trimmed off to get your welder running nice and smooth on. Take your time and get this part done real well.Fit up your parts, tack them, check fit up again, then finish the weld. Use some high temp paint on the areas you cleaned up and your welded area so they do not rust away.Good luck,Russ
Reply:I'd use the section you cut out as your practice stock.  Slice it into multiple pieces and flare half of them.  You only get one shot on the real project, and you'll probably be in a compromised position.
Reply:Success!! I can't believe how easy that was!!! LOL. I was literally crapping myself all up till the time I got started. I can't believe how easy it was. I practiced on the excess piece I cut off from the mufller. I cut a small ring off of the excess and cut it perp so I could easily fit it over the larger excess. I clean away the alum finish first. Then I got started. I went all the way around and then tried to bang, pull, peel the ring off and it wouldn't let go. So I just went ahead and got started. Muffler is hanging. everything is perfectly aligned. Gorgeous. Thnaks guys. I have to go and get some more stuff to weld now.
Reply:I declare 'FOUL'!  You failed to post the mandatory photos of your first welds.Oh yeah - Congratulations on the new welder.Last edited by duaneb55; 05-30-2009 at 05:29 PM.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:OK OK,... well, tomorrow I will do some more welding and I will post those results. I want to try and weld some A36 steel. Som thing and some 1/4" to see how that goes. Will be fun Till then.