Do these welds look okay?

admin

Hey everyone, sorry if this is long, haha.  So basically I had some welding done on my car where my rearend control arms connect to the underbody.  These areas are only spot welded to the underbody and tend to rip off if launching with slicks or drag radials.  So it's recommended you weld up the seams to reinforce them.  Long story short, I'm a noob and wasn't able to remove all the paint in some areas before the welder came out to weld the seams, because my grinder couldn't fit in some of the tighter areas.  Now that I've thought about it I could have used some type of paint stripper or sand blasted the tight areas that needed to be welded.  My welder said welding over the paint wouldn't be much of an issue so I agreed to continue welding those areas with paint.  I regret not taking the time to strip the paint now and feel like a major fail and I'm kind of upset with myself.  So here I am, I figured if I took some pictures and posted them here people with more experience could give me input on what they think about the welds.  I didn't really see much porosity in the welds but then again I don't know what I'm looking at.  Is it possible for welds to look good but still be weak?  If you could let me know what you think about these maybe I am stressing myself out more than I should be.  Thanks in advance for any input.  Here's a link to the photobucket album.  It's easier than posting all of them in here.  http://s607.photobucket.com/albums/t...ictures/Welds/
Reply:I love folks who know how to paint some metal on with a MIG call themselves "welders"...seems like 75% of "welders" fall into this category. Looks like your welder learned to weld from this video:
Reply:So you don't think they will hold up?
Reply:In my experience it is easy to criticize someone elses welds.  You have posted here on weldingweb asking people that are much more talented than most welders out there whether those welds look good.  Compartively to the people you are asking, those welds do not "look" good.  However, for what you are trying to accomplish you succeeded in reinforcing those mounting points adequately.  I personally would not lose any sleep over it.  You are adding additional support to the factory welds and that was accomplished.  I doubt you will have any problems.  My humble opinion.
Reply:Personally, I think they will, as long as thats thin material. If its like 16 gauge, I think you'll be fine, but if thats 3/16 or 1/4, then I have my doubts... Paint=Crappy weld, if you're using anything but 6010/1. Mig doesn't like paint, at all... Another way to get rid of paint, is to burn it out with a torch, although I don't know how practical that would be in your case. And, I'm no where near a professional, I'm sure someone else will chime in here.[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Originally Posted by jbyrdIn my experience it is easy to criticize someone elses welds.  You have posted here on weldingweb asking people that are much more talented than most welders out there whether those welds look good.  Compartively to the people you are asking, those welds do not "look" good.  However, for what you are trying to accomplish you succeeded in reinforcing those mounting points adequately.  I personally would not lose any sleep over it.  You are adding additional support to the factory welds and that was accomplished.  I doubt you will have any problems.  My humble opinion.
Reply:Originally Posted by LansePersonally, I think they will, as long as thats thin material. If its like 16 gauge, I think you'll be fine, but if thats 3/16 or 1/4, then I have my doubts... Paint=Crappy weld, if you're using anything but 6010/1. Mig doesn't like paint, at all... Another way to get rid of paint, is to burn it out with a torch, although I don't know how practical that would be in your case. And, I'm no where near a professional, I'm sure someone else will chime in here.
Reply:Originally Posted by NubWelderI see what your saying.  But I wasn't looking for opinion about if they look good, I was concerned about their strength and if they will break off down the road when they are stressed under performance conditions.  Hopefully one day I can weld as good as some of you guys.  But ya my main concern was about they weld strength.  I hope your right about not having to worry about them.
Reply:Originally Posted by SR20steveI love folks who know how to paint some metal on with a MIG call themselves "welders"...seems like 75% of "welders" fall into this category. Looks like your welder learned to weld from this video:
Reply:Originally Posted by jbyrdI think a better way to give my opinion is this:  From what I can see you have added A LOT of strength to those mounts by welding the seams.  Will they ever break?  No way I can tell, don't know the thickness of the metal, dont know what you are running for tires, gears, motor, etc etc.  But I do know if those mounts would normally tear out the plug welds prior, they wont tear in the same place again.  Hope that helps!P.s. I wish I could weld half as good as half the people here say they can!
Reply:Regardless of the strength of the welds, next time you need to remove paint in a small area that you can't get a grinder or flap disk into, try using a carbide bit in an air die grinder.  It will really remove paint, rust and metal quickly.http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-qua...der-52847.htmlMiller Syncrowave 350Millermatic 252/ 30A spoolgunMiller Bobcat 225g w/ 3545 spoolgunLincoln PowerArc4000Lincoln 175 Mig  Lincoln 135 Mig Everlast 250EX TigCentury ac/dc 230 amp stickVictor O/AHypertherm 1000 plasma
Reply:Look ok? Sorta, but not really. Will they hold? Probably. If i see ANY pitting in my welds, ill grind them out and re-weld till i get it right. (Keep in mind that I am very new to welding.) A couple of them actually look pretty good. If there is any doubt in your mind though, i would grind them and reweld. Especially if it is a critical weld. Just my worthless 2c
Reply:Those will work just fine for that application. I know exactly what your doing there , and thats some thin uni body sheet metal. A lot of cars they make, or you can box in that area they call torque boxes. That will add some stability as wellHTP Invertig 201Lincoln Idealarc SP250Miller 180 AC StickBy farmall:They should have held the seagull closer to the work, squeezing evenly for best deposition.
Reply:welds?  I only see bird droppings.
Reply:Originally Posted by fordmanThose will work just fine for that application. I know exactly what your doing there , and thats some thin uni body sheet metal. A lot of cars they make, or you can box in that area they call torque boxes. That will add some stability as well
Reply:Originally Posted by pulserwelds?  I only see bird droppings.
Reply:While they are not the prettiest, they will hold fine and dandy.  Actually, some of them are pretty smooth!
Reply:You have asked what people what they think about the welds, and you are going to have some tell you so-so and others will slam you mercilessly. Don't be offended, you asked. You asked if welds can look good, but still be week. They certainly can, usually do to poor penetration/cold lapping. That is not the case with your welds. Some of them are weak because of porosity due to the paint. You didn't know any better then, but now you do. Grind the tops off and get a look at what is inside. If you see pin holes, grind them out (ir an angle grinder won't reach, a die grinder will) and reweld. Is it absolutely necessary? No, because you have added a certain amount of reinforcement, but not as much as you had intended, or as much as a qualified welder should have been able to achieve.    Just another opinion.It all boils down to the standards that you have set for yourself.
Reply:Originally Posted by pulserwelds?  I only see bird droppings.
Reply:@Nubwelder.. I think those welds will do just fine.. Torque boxes on a mustang? (guessing)..Everlast 250EX (I'm a dealer.. )Lincoln 180HDLincoln Plasma Pro-Cut 25Victor Oxy/Acet OutfitLincoln(Harris) Oxy/Acet Outfit
Reply:@huyzel - yup you got it.  torque boxes haha.  guess there are some fellow ford guys on this forum @zapster - which thread do you mean? could you post a link? I might find some good info in it.@profab - hey thanks for your input.  I didn't get offended, sorry if it sounded that way.  A lot is lost through online communication.  Ya some areas were veryyy tight and my die grinder wasn't doing the job with a sanding disc or small wire wheel.  Next time I'll probably pick up a cheap sand/soda blaster from Harbor Freight.
Reply:Can I use a few of your photos as "what not to do" examples for my apprentices?--No offense meant.6 Miller Big Blue 600 Air Paks2 Miller 400D6 Lincoln LN-25's4 Miller Xtreme 12VS2 Miller Dimension 812 4 Climax BW-3000Z bore welders Hypertherm 65 and 85Bug-O Track BugPair of Welpers
Reply:[QUOTE=NubWelder;489213@zapster - which thread do you mean? could you post a link? I might find some good info in it.[/QUOTE]I think he meant to say the "post" above his."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:@stickman - oh I get it lol.  Thanks for clearing that up.@expat - ouch that kinda hurts lol.  this is my baby that got these welds.  But sure use what you like.  I don't mind.  Can you post a few of the ones you want to use and let me know what you think happened?  Also do you have any pictures of welds that you think are good or weld done?  I'm guessing I've seen the bad so lets see what some should look like.