Welding question Options

[r_towle]

In an effort to learn how the more experienced and professional welders handle this, I have a question.

I will be adding 1/8 inch steel to a 356 chassis.
This will be a structural element and will be under some stress.
It is part of the rear suspension.

What is the best welding technique to use to weld 1/8 inch steel angle iron to a standard 19 gauge 50 year old chassis and ensure that the welds hold...they do what they are supposed to and I dont spend the entire time blowing through the 19 gauge steel?
I will be getting the piece of steel from a steel yard, basically a 4 inch by 4 inch angle iron piece welded along the ends, and along the length as needed.

I have a mig welder and a oxy/ace torch.
I dont have a tig, and I wont outsource this...so I am looking for techniques to use what I have.

Rich

[Brett W]

Lets see some pics of what your doing. I don't particularly like using such dissimilar sized metals on a chassis unless it is in compression or something like that. Think roll cage attachment points. FOr other reinforcements you are better off with something like 18 or 16ga, sheet. It forms better and it welds easier. Plus the extra metal really isn't gaining you anything beyond weight. Proper engineering can help save weight and give more strength.

However you can join the materials you propose pretty easy. I would use a .023 wire and you can run the machine around 5 on the voltage and 3 or so on the wire speed. You will have to play with it to feed just the right amount of wire and not bunch up or short circuit. Always start your welds on the thicker metal and "wash" the puddle down onto the thinner chassis metal. You should not fully seam weld that piece to the sheetmetal, it will create a possible tear point in the HAZ. Also round the corners and edges on the .125 to keep the potential for the part tearing through.