Neil,
If your motor hasn't fallen out yet, chances are your front wheel won't
either.
I know you err on the side of caution with your welding.
Especially with the back fill, you should be just fine.

-----Original Message-----
From: neil N [mailto:musomuso@gmail.com] 
Sent: Friday, March 27, 2009 9:43 PM
To: pdooley
Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
Subject: Re: Ovaled Radius Arm Hole Repair

Thanks for the pointers Pat. I appreciate the constructive critique.

Yah I"m not at all proud of the bead. Had it on highest amps. High
weld possibly due to: wire speed too high, poor gun position/distance,
weave tempo slowed down. I've never welded on a vehicle before let
alone on an incline and in a cramped space. I practiced before hand,
but all this obviously had a negative effect. Next time, work should
be up higher, and there should be better lighting.

Related to weld penetration, it appears that this part of the frame
has sandwiched layers of metal. (I can see small gaps) i.e. maybe it's
technically possible that one is welding to thinner metal than it
appears to be. i.e weld may penetrate properly into just the first
layer. But that's just a theory.

yah I made all cuts for my conversion with a hacksaw. Having used my
new Makita today for even just 20 minutes makes me question my
"smarts".  <grin>  Should have bought the Makita while I was picking
up the MIG!

I can't see the patch coming apart. It is back filled (to correct
oval) with weld behind the plate. It's attached well.

Neil.

On Fri, Mar 27, 2009 at 5:11 PM, pdooley <psdooley@verizon.net> wrote:
> Neil, how did you build your engine cradle without a grinder?
> Don't tell me you sawzalled everything. �What a PITA.
>
> Anyway, thanks for sharing the fab pics, I always like to see others work.
>
> One thing- from the pic, it looks like your heat is a little low. �The
weld
> bead is riding kinda high. �Maybe the wire speed is a little fast or
you're
> moving the gun a little slow.
> Just be sure you got good penetration so the thing doesn't come apart.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> neil N
> Sent: Friday, March 27, 2009 6:56 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Ovaled Radius Arm Hole Repair
>
> Hi all.
>
> I'll add some text to the page of what I'm learning. This is the
> progress so far. Hole is much closer to original now. Still, I thought
> patch was big enough (so weld beads away from bushing) but not so. My
> new Makita 4.5" 6 Amp angle grinder *just* fits into work area. I'd
> suggest using a 4" wheel if possible. Still. What a nice tool to have.
> Can't believe I didn't have one before!
>
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/radiusarmholerepair
>
> Cheers,
>
>
> Neil.
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
>
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
>
http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engine
> s
>
>

-- 
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engine
s