[Lonnie-S]

Hello,

I've used Jody's videos on YouTube a number of times and like his approach and thoroughness. Somehow, I missed the fact he had these forums. But, now I've joined.

I took 2 engineering/technical level welding classes at a local college and learned the 4 basic electric welding processes (TIG, MIG, Flux Core and Stick) and how to do proper preparation of the metals and joints, etc. Except for some aluminum welding in the TIG section, all work was on mild steel.

Following that, I built a custom designed sports car chassis based on the Haynes Roadster out of 14 and 16 gauge RHS and tubular steel with selected parts of 1/16" and 1/8" plate plus a lot of infrastructure for the project like a build table, welding rotisserie for the chassis and various jigs, fixtures and cart structures to mount tools on.

The basic chassis is finished, but there are many small parts and gussets, suspension bracketry and so on remaining to be fabricated and welded in, plus the body panels, seats, etc. etc. Using a house analogy, the framing, siding, roof and rough interior walls are done, but all the finish work remains.

I know my welds are sound and a lot of them are pretty decent to look at, but I want to step up my game. From here on out, I'd like to move my welding into the the "sound AND really good looking" category. In fact, it was Jody's response to the "MIG like TIG" thread elsewhere on the Internet that led me to discovery of these forums. If you've seen that thread, I need say no more.

However, I'm not just hung up on appearance. Mama and I are going to be cruising in the sports car I'm building at 70-80 MPH and I want to make sure it stays together and everything that's attached to it stays where it's supposed to be, and is strong enough to do it's job well. Therefore, it is important I know with confidence when a weld is appropriate and adequate.

I also want to move into stainless with my little scratch-start, DC, TIG welder soon and then do aluminum with either Oxy/Acetylene (I have the torch setup, but no tanks) or buy a new AC/DC TIG welder. But, fundamentally, I want to improve my welding knowledge and expertise, so that what I do is as close to professional level as I can get it.

Metalworking and custom body panels are also in my future, so it's critical I learn to do thin sheet steel and aluminum well.

Cheers,

Lonnie

[Superiorwelding]

Lonnie,
Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have a very interesting project there. I would like to build a chassis one day so this intrigues me. Can you get us some pictures of your work?
My brother wants to install a cage in his car this year, so that will be my first experience welding roll cages.
-Jonathan

[AKweldshop]

Welcome to the forum.

~John

[paul_s]

Welcome to the forum. Your project sounds like an interesting one.

[Mike]

Welcome to the forum Lonnie.