Muffler, welding.

rvich · Mar 4, 2012

Just a FWIW comment here. My welding skills are primitive, I can make stuff stick together fine but I don't want anybody who knows what they are doing to see my welds. Just the other day I had a 6-year old make fun of my wheel truing stand. Sheesh...critics.

Some time ago, I sat down with a friend and good welder who taught me how to TIG weld. I have two things to say...First, wow! No splatter, large range of material choices, and it gives you a huge amount of control. Second, ouch! It isn't as easy as it looks. It would be worth it for a hobbyest to set himself up and practice practice practice, but my experience has lead me to believe that if you are casual about the learning curve you probably won't get good results.

The guys here who are good at TIG welding might disagree, but then some people can pick up a guitar and sound good at it without practicing too, but not very many!

Russ

JimC · Mar 4, 2012

I don't know how scientific this is, but it's been said women are better welders than men. That being the case, maybe get your wife or girl friend a new TIG for Christmas or birthday.

Having spent thirty years among all sorts of construction trade persons, I say some are just flat better welders than others, regardless of experience. I have AWS stick and MIG certifications, but I've never considered myself a great welder. I probably pick up a stinger once a year or so, now. If I want it pretty it usually takes a little practice and sometimes a grinder before I do the finish weld.

As for motorcycle repair welds, or fabrication welds for motorcycles, I'd go with TIG. Pretty handy when you need to weld aluminum , as well as mild and stainless steel. BTW, I consider preheating a must when it comes to welding just about anything on the Norton.

stockie2 · Mar 5, 2012

Agree with TIG comments, 25 years, no make that 30 years I was pretty handy with a stick welder, gee, were I grew up MIG was not common place, and TIG was very special. We got to try out the MIG and TIG processes at Tech School. But not at the workplace. We even had some DC welders, the old generator type. Well flash forward to now, I decided to purchase a TIG just a economy DC model with HF. They are pretty affordable if you stick to just a DC model. I picked up a CIGweld set, 180 amp for about $270 I then managed to purchase outright a size D bottle filled with Argon for $209 and $89 a refill.
But I must admit, after a few try outs, I still find it difficult, unlike arc or MIG you need to sit down for TIG, made myself a nice steel bench and got an Ikea bar stool. Even invested in a decent helmet. But I wear glasses for reading and find it hard to see the arc clearly.
So either I have something wrong with the set up or it is a hard art to master?

Cheers Richard

JimC · Mar 5, 2012

Doesn't TIG welding aluminum require AC? I know Miller says to use AC. I had a Miller TIG and laid down some pretty nice aluminum welds using AC.

Bernhard · Mar 5, 2012

JimC said:
I don't know how scientific this is, but it's been said women are better welders than men. That being the case, maybe get your wife or girl friend a new TIG for Christmas or birthday.

Having spent thirty years among all sorts of construction trade persons, I say some are just flat better welders than others, regardless of experience. I have AWS stick and MIG certifications, but I've never considered myself a great welder. I probably pick up a stinger once a year or so, now. If I want it pretty it usually takes a little practice and sometimes a grinder before I do the finish weld.

As for motorcycle repair welds, or fabrication welds for motorcycles, I'd go with TIG. Pretty handy when you need to weld aluminum , as well as mild and stainless steel. BTW, I consider preheating a must when it comes to welding just about anything on the Norton.

well yes, because they can stitch :!:

Bernhard · Mar 5, 2012

stockie2 said:
Agree with TIG comments, 25 years, no make that 30 years I was pretty handy with a stick welder, gee, were I grew up MIG was not common place, and TIG was very special. We got to try out the MIG and TIG processes at Tech School. But not at the workplace. We even had some DC welders, the old generator type. Well flash forward to now, I decided to purchase a TIG just a economy DC model with HF. They are pretty affordable if you stick to just a DC model. I picked up a CIGweld set, 180 amp for about $270 I then managed to purchase outright a size D bottle filled with Argon for $209 and $89 a refill.
But I must admit, after a few try outs, I still find it difficult, unlike arc or MIG you need to sit down for TIG, made myself a nice steel bench and got an Ikea bar stool. Even invested in a decent helmet. But I wear glasses for reading and find it hard to see the arc clearly.
So either I have something wrong with the set up or it is a hard art to master?

Cheers Richard

you need to see a master at work, and to teach you, bear in mind, it's not for everybody.

Brooking 850 · Mar 5, 2012

if you can gas weld, Ie oxy/acet , braze , you can find it quite comfortable and not so hard to TIG. Yes AC is best for Ali, and helium/argon mix , dont' use a pure tungsten rod in the hand piece, 2 % thoriated or lanthanated, is best for Ali. Look for the 'stacked biscuit effect' for the prettiest welds, and clean your metal, always clean. Stainless wire brush for ali, never use that brush for anything else. Use a good auto darkening helmet so you can see to start your weld easy.
Check out the Henrob handpiece for gas welding and cutting, you will be suprised how easy i is to use and how little gas it uses , ideal for fine work like frames and sheet metal.
Regards Mike

cmessenk · Mar 5, 2012

For what you go through with time, expense, frustration and uncertainty for what is sure to be a temporary fix...you simply can't go wrong with these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Norton-Commando ... 5e&vxp=mtr

I have two full seasons on these and they still look perfect...no evidence of any weakness at the inlet/header weld points....look fantastic....sound is awesome...replace and get back on the road!

xbacksideslider · Mar 5, 2012

worntorn said:
Just recently I had to weld a mounting bracket to a new chrome muffler. I used 308L stainless filler rod (tig welding) and the result was perfect, no blemish whatsoever. I didnt do any grinding, just welded right to the chromed muffler. The chrome plating and the stainless both contain lots of nickel and were quite happy to flow into one another to make a silver weld with no burn marks and no flaking chrome.

I had warned the customer that some of the chrome might burn/flake off around the weld from the heat, but was quite surprised when it came out as though the weld had been done at time of manufacture then chrome plated with the rest of the muffler.

Tig with SS filler is the only way to go for this job!

Glen

Glen - worntorn - thanks for posting that up - great info. I learn something here everyday. What a great site!

Hobot · Mar 5, 2012

Hope as mentioned by others, it don't work out like welding has for me and Wesley, stop gap only, too soon to fail again if not right there then next weakness.
Presonally I think we need a double clamp gizmo, ie: clamp on header and clamp on silencer with short compliant section in between. Do pipe up if the welds let go or not. As for me I know a death rattle when I hear it now and put em out of misery for new ones.

Muffler, welding.

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