Motorcycle Frames

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I'm wondering what the best type of welding is for motorcycle frames? I'm looking at buying a MIG welder currently, but if ARC or TIG is the propper tool for the job, I may switch what I'm looking at...
Reply:I'm pretty sure NASCAR cages must be tig welded these days so I think that would be best. Tig is much more versital  then mig and stick! Are you building steel or aluminum frame?
Reply:TIG. So, you don't have a welding machine but you are going to buy one and start building motorcycle frames?GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Originally Posted by motolife313I'm pretty sure NASCAR cages must be tig welded these days so I think that would be best. Tig is much more versital  then mig and stick! Are you building steel or aluminum frame?
Reply:Originally Posted by valentin_84Ah, gotchu. That does make sense... It's a steel frame, 1977 Honda GL1000.Do you say TIG is more versatile because it can weld more materials? Or is it a matter of being a much stronger / durable weld?Oh god no! LOL! I'd kill myself!I've wanted to learn to weld for a little while and am able to buy a machine finally. My brother gave me his old motorcycle and I figured I'd eventually fix it up. It's not even in the same state, so nothing I'll see soon. Regardless, I'm sure I'll eventually want to make a project out of it down the road when I have enough experience and knowledge to tackle it.I just don't want to buy a MIG now and not have the best tool for the job down the road...
Reply:Ya you can weld more metals and its a way more controlled processes! You only need 1 type of gas you can grab and use whatever filler you want real quick. What are you doing to the frame? Plan on spending about 2500$ + for a good new welder. But it's worth it
Reply:Ooooohhhh wow! My budget is around the $900 or so that you can get a descent MIG welder with. I guess frame mods are out of the question for me
Reply:Originally Posted by motolife313I'm pretty sure NASCAR cages must be tig welded these days so I think that would be best. Tig is much more versital  then mig and stick! Are you building steel or aluminum frame?
Reply:Just found this:http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...olnElectric%29Opinions?
Reply:Originally Posted by valentin_84Ooooohhhh wow! My budget is around the $900 or so that you can get a descent MIG welder with. I guess frame mods are out of the question for me
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveYour budget is fine - just buy a high quality used machine.My 1963 dinosaur of a tig was $225 and is 900 lbs of awesome
Reply:Wow, why are they so massive and how the hell do you move them? The one in the link I posted is a MIG, Flux-Cored, DC Stick, DC TIG machine, weighs 40lbs, and is 110/220!
Reply:Like he said 1963. Stuff was built to last back then
Reply:If your not going to weld aluminum that would be a good machine
Reply:There is nothing delicate about those old machines, as is true of the relic that is my avatar, and that is part of why they are still going strong 30, 40 years later.We just don't know how durable the inverter based multiprocess machines will prove to be.Personally, I wouldn't be afraid to bet on the machine you are looking at.Keep an eye on the reviews for it, and talk to as many owners as you can.I am guessing whatever machine you buy as a first machine, it will not be your last.Can you say addiction?Hobart Beta-Mig 2511972 Miller AEAD-200LEMiller 250 TwinNorthern Ind. Hybrid 200Longevity Stick 140Longevity Migweld 200SThermal Arc Pak 3XR
Reply:Yeah, I can see the attraction to those tanks. Durable, long lasting, and cheap as hell for what you get! I would definitely have to consider one if I had a garage and didn't have to move it. I live in apartment and will be welding at work so I have to be able to throw everything in the trunk when I'm done.
Reply:Originally Posted by valentin_84Wow, why are they so massive and how the hell do you move them? The one in the link I posted is a MIG, Flux-Cored, DC Stick, DC TIG machine, weighs 40lbs, and is 110/220!
Reply:Buying a little bottle is what you might have to do then if you gota toss it in the trunk but those little bottles are expensive to fill up. I think a 80cfh bottle is around 30$ to 40$ and I pay 65$ for a 336cfh. Unless you can leave the bottle at the shop that would be the way to go
Reply:Like Dave said, engine hoist. They have multiple transformers inside.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveThese are nice little guys too: http://store.cyberweld.com/tharcfa18...FQiHaQodDb4AkASure you can put my big Airco in your trunk - instant low rider
Reply:Don't be too afraid of inverter based TIG/stick welders.   IGBT based inverters have been in use for decades.   That's the technology used in hybrid cars too.   I've used both types of machines in a learning environment.  The $900 imported inverter machines do everything a 2005 transformer machine does, and has several advantages that apply to you.1)  It's portable2)  It can run at full power from a dryer outlet3)  It can run at about 2/3 max power off 120V power.4)  It comes with a warranty.----------------------------Measure twice.  Weld once.  Grind to size.MIG:  Lincoln SP100 TIG/STICK:  AHP Alphatig 200X
Reply:They also have alot of problems
Reply:My 2005 transformer was built in 1981 and will still be working in 2045. I seriously doubt any inverter machine will last that long. They are good at being light and energy efficient though.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Just to throw a spanner in the works... Oxygen/acetylene gas welding is stil a perfectly good method, so unless you absolutely want TIG or MIG an O/A set is an option. Also usable as a cutting torch, för brazing, general heating for bending steel or removing rusted bolts and so on. And you do not need electricity, so you can use it in just about any place you can bring it to.
Reply:Originally Posted by valentin_84Ha! I have a little Corolla that would snap in half!@ motolife313 -  In NASCAR, the majority of the teams use MIG to weld their roll cages.  The material is mostly 1020/26 DOM tubing (eg. 1.75dia x .090in wall). However, read an article some time ago stating that Teams Yates and Penske TIG weld their roll cages.  Similarly, there are key components (eg. suspension, control arms) in the car where TIG welding is preferred.  Estimated that MIG adds ~ 11lbs of additional weight to the roll cage compared to TIG.NHRA.....horse of a different color......the 4130 CrMo cages have to be TIG'd."Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:As for NASCAR or other types of competition with a long rule book stating how things should be done, just because they do things one way that in no way says it's the best method for the job - it just says it's the method someone writing the rule book decided to allow. There may be a hundred reasons to force the builders to use a specific welding method, and without knowing those reasons it's dangerous to make assumptions based on how they do things there.
Reply:Originally Posted by G-sonAs for NASCAR or other types of competition with a long rule book stating how things should be done, just because they do things one way that in no way says it's the best method for the job - it just says it's the method someone writing the rule book decided to allow. There may be a hundred reasons to force the builders to use a specific welding method, and without knowing those reasons it's dangerous to make assumptions based on how they do things there.
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelMy 2005 transformer was built in 1981 and will still be working in 2045. I seriously doubt any inverter machine will last that long. They are good at being light and energy efficient though.
Reply:ive had transformers and inverters that shi@# the bed with a major company and your still on your own, warrenty or not, used and working is not a bad place if it made it 30 yrs chances are it will keep going