HF Tig+muffler

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I noticed my car started sounding like a shotgun. I figured the exhaust was to blame. First I called the local "mechanic/auto repair nut" and got a quote to fix tubing, I almost soiled my self (~$300). I've been welding with mig, stick, and recently tig. I have already fabbed up a new section between the flex tube and muffler. My question is: Would the high frequency from the tig welder harm any electronics in the car? Or should I go with mig welding the tube? Attached Images
Reply:i don't know about the tig questions, but i would mig it.
Reply:I was thinking tig would be better because the tight spaces. I've also heard that you should disconect the ground lug from the battery when welding on a car.
Reply:I think there is to much rust to fix, a replacement seems to be a better option.
Reply:Off to Auto Zone!
Reply:Originally Posted by Jay OI think there is to much rust to fix, a replacement seems to be a better option.
Reply:LOL.  I presumed he was going to remove the rot and replace with new.
Reply:Got the flex joint. I'll weld it up later tonight at Garage Knights.http://garageknights.org/Garage_Knights/Welcome.html
Reply:Of all the shops I've been to or know people that have worked in them, none of them disconnect the battery anymore. They do utilize a surge arrester though connected between the + and - terminals. Like this one pictured...*EDIT* This one is from OTCPart of the explanation of this is that the battery itself will actually absorb some of the energy of the arc. I had one guy that thought he was helping me out, and disconnected my battery while I was fabbing the bumper on my truck a couple years ago and the next time I went to take my truck out, the alternator was fried (it was less than 4 months old too...). Make sure that your ground lead is as close to where you're working as physically possible. The less that the current has to travel through the vehicle in any way, the less chance it has to damage vital (and very expensive) components.Last edited by yyc_tbird_sc; 03-26-2010 at 10:35 PM.-Millermatic 211, Powermax 380, and way too many other tools to list....-Unofficial, professsional, garage tinkerer...
Reply:I would just mig it. Use what ever method you do better.Lincoln ProMig140
Reply:Got it fixed today. Welding under the car hurt. Sparks in my hair and down my shirt ahhh.I used two U clamps to crimp the pipe, thank god for the impact wrench. I used a itty bitty linkin 120 volt mig with 75/25. Next up, Power steering. I need to fix a pin hole leak in an alunimum pipe, I'm thinking tig or JB weld. Attached Images
Reply:I have a pin hole leak in a power steering line. The tube is aluminum, if I remove it and clean the leak. does it seem reasonable to tig weld the hole? I have access to a dc tig welder on friday. Should I use DCEN or DCEP, as for shielding, we have 75/25, and I recall seeing an unused tank of argon in the back of the shop. Which should I use?
Reply:Not trying to be a smartazz, but with asking questions such as those, I'd recommend having someone tig it that knew what they were doing.  If not you'll probably just destroy the line.As for which polarity to use, I'd recommend using both.  In other words AC.100% Argon is the proper shielding gas for tig welding.As far as the "welds" on the exhaust.  I'm glad you're happy with the result.  I wouldn't have been.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:I'm fine with the root pass. I just got carried away with the "cap". It's a solid weld. If I were to grind it down it'd look neater.
Reply:Under the car the tube apperied to be aluminium, upon further inspection it turned out to be steel. I decided to braze the pin hole, took me literally 3 seconds to get the brass to flow around the dimple. This will get sprayed with marine rated anti-rust. Attached Images
Reply:Got everything put back together. Drove the car around the block 3 times and the power steering fluid was at the same level when I started.
Reply:great repair with the brazing.  as for the exhaust...if it works it is good.  I have seen muffler men weld much worse.  on my truck it wouldn't be no time before it was covered in mud and muck.  I don't understand the fascination on weld appearance on exhaust systems.  I am not knocking sundown, it just seems to be a fad on several forums to have tig quality appearance.  I have welded exhaust systems with 6011 that weren't pretty but are still in use and are solid.I would have welded the back section as well.  I understand welding under a vehicle is unpleasant though.Last edited by Scott Young; 04-01-2010 at 06:15 PM.
Reply:Root pass and a cap. (On exhaust tubing no less)LMAO.OP has been pretty critical of a couple other poster's welds (check his postings).  Just saying that they looked as good or better than the photos he posted.To be honest, I see no root/cap at all.  What I see looks like a bunch of spot welds from someone jumping around under the vehicle because his hair was on fire.I'll be the first to admit that exhaust system welds don't always have to pass the eyeball test, but they should be solid/consistent.  An exhaust system will put a fair amount of stress on rather thinwall tubing.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIIRoot pass and a cap. (On exhaust tubing no less)
Reply:hey sd, i didn't realize he was trash talking other people's welds.  I also let slide the root and cap on 16 ga no less.my reference to pretty exhaust welds wasn't aimed at you sorry to include you in that discussion.  I have seen on several forums as of late it seems that people are wanting class AAA welds on exhaust. i should have addressed that issue in another thread.
Reply:Originally Posted by Scott Younghey sd, i didn't realize he was trash talking other people's welds.