Mig Welding

[Rob]

Anyone ever had a go at this?

I have just been quoted £120+vat for a local welder to come out and weld the paddock stand bobbin lug/thread back on to the swingarm.....Seems a bit steep if you ask me.

Doing a bit of digging and found this Sealey No-gas mig welder on amazon for £105.

Reading the reviews it would seem the machine is more than capable of doing what I need it to, so it just comes to the question, can I do what I need to.

Watching vids on youtube and it doesn't seem too tricky.

Just wondering if any of you chaps have had a go at it?

[Deegee]

Swingarms are generally made of aluminium based alloys, any weld process to repair that will need a gas shield or the weld will be brittle, porous and possibly oxidised (very weak). If you do have an ally swingarm I'd suggest TIG welding - it's far more precise than Mig welding in my limited experience.

Steel swingarms can be repaired using mig easily, but you will still get a weak weld if the weld pool isn't protected from oxidation, either by gas or a flux that hardens over the molten pool but chips off when cool.

P.S. The above are based on my limited experience as an engineer, but I don't profess to be an expert on welding technology, but fwiw I'd remove the swingarm and get an expert to do the repair, even though I could probably do it myself, welders take tests to ensure their ability, I don't.

[Kwacky]

Welding is an art. I know it seems expensive but that's peace of mind and if it does fail you've got a avenue for recourse.

[kiwikrasher]

Lol. Just typed up what Kwacky and Deegee said, but they beat me too the post button!

[Rob]

Thanks for the responses chaps, looks like I'll just have to pay the man who knows what he's doing!

[Blade]

Welding is an art. I know it seems expensive but that's peace of mind and if it does fail you've got a avenue for recourse.

on the above and great technical advice from Deegee

[rocket]

Thats expensive were abouts are you rob ??? i have an engineer friend who is an excellent welder welds anything and is cheap compared to that

[Rob]

You think that's expensive....The chap emailed back today and said it may be closer to £200+vat #

Spoke to another local bloke who charges £35 an hour which is a bit more reasonable.

I'm in Billericay, Essex. Where is your mate located?

[rocket]

Barnsley :-( which is a long way

[Rob]

Just a wee bit too far I guess!

[MLR193]

Rob mate I'm a welder by trade, what Swingarm is it, ive done adam sheltons zx10r this year, does it still need sorting