Welding dissimilar thickness materials?

[Big Barn]

Perfect opportunity to play with some heat shrinking. :thumbsup:

Done that quite a few times. Actually enjoyable when you're retired and have more patience.

 

[Code54]

Perfect opportunity to play with some heat shrinking. :thumbsup:

OK, you brought it up so now you have to explain it to us amateurs like myself - hows it work, sounds interesting!

 

[Code54]

I like that idea as opposed to drilling. DO post the pics. That might be a good solution for a lot of applications.

Click and Bond is awesome!!! Best way to add lights to a roll bar or places you don't want to weld or drill! GREAT product!

 

[Shield Arc]

OK, you brought it up so now you have to explain it to us amateurs like myself - hows it work, sounds interesting!

Little heat in the correct place, then a little water. Heat = metal expands. Cold water = metal retracts.

 

[Code54]

Very interesting - thank you

 

[Shield Arc]

This is a good book on heat shrinking!

 

[Tractor Seabee]

SA got me onto that book, very comprehensive and it does work. Another trick we used on piping was to place a welding rod under the center of the weld and either weld or clamp the ends. Square plate, put a washer under the center and weld or clamp down the corners.

Ron

 

[dragoneggs]

SA got me onto that book, very comprehensive and it does work.

Ron

Ron, Is it worth it for a hobbyist hack?

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Mark, its cheap at half the price as my old man used to say. Better than counting sheep and worth it if you only use one idea from it, it covers a myriad of subjects. Bought mine on Amazon. Try the washer idea of mine. Worst case you still have to shrink it.

Ron

 

[muddstopper]

A lot of times, I have used weld to pull a bent piece back in place. Making small beads and cooling works pretty good. A rosebud and a squirt bottle for flat metal. Have to be careful and not over do it. I have seen folks try the heat and cold rag trick to straighten out autobody panels. You look like a genius when it works like you want it, get carried away with the heat and you can also make a mess in a hurry.