Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[peppiB]

Just curious. At the last MOT on my Minor, the tester commented that he would have preferred to have seen a chassis leg gas welded in one particular place instead of mig welded (just aesthetically more in keeping with the age of the car). Whilst I can mig weld I cannot gas weld so asked a local garage. They informed me that gas welding is now illegal Anyone know if this is correct? I do know there are stringent regulations on storage of the cylinders but was not aware of any restrictions being placed on its use in relation to motor vehicle repair - and obviously the MOT tester wasn't aware of them as he wouldn't have made his comment.

[Uncle Alec]

As I understand it the problem arises with the use of the more modern steel alloys that are not at all responsive to gas welding; they are only suitable for resistance or spot welding. But it wouldn't affect any cars of our members would it? Any metallurgists out there?

[Jim.Walker]

I'm not an expert, but I do know that the filler rods commony used for gas welding (eutectic) are intended for repairing mild steel.
The rods chosen for any job should reflect the material they are used on and if the job is an alloy steel then eutectic rods are not suitable.
A firm called Barrymar (are they still around?) used to weld anything and guarantee their work, but I think they removed surplus metal from some part of the job to make filler rods.

I still have nightmares about a school friend who was injured severely when his bike collapsed on a level crossing because some well meaning person had repaired his bike frame with unsuitable rods.

As to gas welding being banned on cars - I have no idea. Nor do I have any idea of the limitations of filler wire used with MIG welders. I don't do MIG.
_________________
Quote from my late Dad:- You only need a woman and a car and you have all the problems you
are ever likely to want". Computers had not been invented then!

[ukdave2002]

I seem to remember being told not gas weld modern car panels, reason being that they are thinner (to keep weight down ) but steel used has a higher tensile strength than older panels, the extra heat from gas welding could temper the steel which could affect the body strength.

[rustyreks]

Mig wire is high tensile so it is strong but not malleable whereas gas

welding on car panels is mild steel and panel beats well both have there

place i use mig, gas is good but produces alot more heat so more

distortion to panels compared with mig.

[weldingclassics]

I reckon the mot tester was having a jobs worth moment!! If the welding was carried out nicely with a mig he wouldnt have mentioned it! any way gas is only used these days to harden and temper your chisels!lol

[buzzy bee]

Hi

If he saw my mig welding, he would want everything migged! hehe I got compared to robotic welds the other day! haha

Cheers

Dave

[Penman]

Hi

[Jim.Walker]

Well. Now I know who Tuesday Weld is, but I do not know who Robotic Welds is!
_________________
Quote from my late Dad:- You only need a woman and a car and you have all the problems you
are ever likely to want". Computers had not been invented then!

[buzzy bee]