Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobbak  i always thought you couldn't use a gas welder for thin sheet metal wouldnt you burn a whole or something in it? I'm not too comfortable with gas welders |
With a gas torch, you gradually add heat until the metal is molten and a puddle forms. Then you dip a filler rod into the puddle while simultaneously making small circles with the torch tip and pushing the puddle from right to left. If done correctly with the appropriate torch tip, pressure and of course a neutral flame, you will not burn through the material that you're welding. However, if you have your torch adjusted with a humongous flame and/or stay in one spot too long, yes you can burn through your project. The key is gradually introducing heat rather than zapping it with immediate heat. You have more control with a gas torch. If it starts to get too hot, you take the torch away. Once you see a shiny puddle form, you know the metal is 3000 degrees. With arc welding, you can't take the torch away, you have to either speed up or slow down which compromises the cleanliness of the weld.
Now with electric/arc welding, you go from 0-6000 degrees instantly. It's easier to lose control of your puddle as it's also harder to see your work if you happen to go off course. There's a very fine envelope with arc welding that you must stay within. If you move too fast, you won't get the penetration which will compromise the strength of your weld. If you move too slow, you'll apply too much material and can possibly burn through your work as well as running the risk of warping or distorting it.
There's nothing wrong with arc welding, just about everything metal that you use in everyday life was created by some sort of electric welding. I personally like gas welding. I think it's cleaner and I think the welds are of better quality. My welds truly look like stacked dimes and I take a great deal of pride in my work. Go out and take a look at some of the welds on your cars. Those were all done by robots and people using arc welders. While those welds are strong and functional, I say why not make it look clean too. When I used to work in the bike industry, I had many customers ask me why one bike cost 500 dollars and the other cost 5000? The answer was staring them right in the face. After pointing out the welds and the difference in quality and appearance, the answer was clear. The expensive bikes were usually TIG welded, which is very similar to gas welding in that you use a torch to make a puddle and dip a rod into it by hand instead of the current actually passing through the rod. The only difference is that a TIG weld utilizes an electric torch while gas utilizes well, gas. Good workmanship is not only functional, but is aesthetically pleasing to look at as well.