New Guy has some questions
Tank
I'm new to VWs--in fact I haven't even bought yet. However, I've caught
"the bug" by reading your posts these past few weeks and am eager to begin
a resto project soon on a 60s-era Bug--as soon as I can find one in the
ArkLaTex area. I'm currently outfitting my "Muir toolbox" and had a few
questions.
1) Re: Welding equipment: Do most DIY folks use MIG welders? What are
some good brands? And best for my $$$
2) Re: Air compressors: Brands? What size do you recommend for painting,
blasting, and for air tools for working on the bug? What brands of air
tools do you recommend?
3) Does anyone have any tips on welding technique for the beginner?
Thanks
Tank
'94 YJ
Lookin' for a Bug
SR92
>I'm currently outfitting my "Muir toolbox" and had a few<BR>
>questions.<BR>
><BR>
>1) Re: Welding equipment: Do most DIY folks use MIG welders? What are<BR>
>some good brands? And best for my $$$<BR>
Yes most of us use MIG welders. Unless you're an expert with a torch, sheet
metal welding is an exercise in futility without one. There are many "good
brands". I prefer the Miller brand welders as they are well engineered, parts
are readily available and if you buy a new one, (I didn't) there's a really
cool video and booklet that gives the beginner alot of useful info.
The "flux core wire" type welders are not suitable for bodywork. Bite the
bullet and get a welder with the regulator and argon/co2 gas setup. (my
opinion)
>Re: Air compressors: Brands? What size do you recommend for painting,<BR>
>blasting, and for air tools for working on the bug? What brands of air<BR>
>tools do you recommend? <B
For painting and running air tools, 2-3HP is all you need. Sand blasting
requires huge amounts of air at high pressure. I have a 7HP two stage with an
80 gal tank and it is marginal for blasting for any length of time. It's fine
for small jobs, but blasting an entire car would probably take a day. I use
Ingersol Rand and CP brand air tools, but I'm sure there are other goods ones
around. These brands have been around along time and again, parts are readily
available.
Good Luck and welcome to the Aircooled group
Some days you're the WINDSHIELD.............Some days you're the BUG!
59 Vert Every Craftsman handtool known to man (automotive)
65 Beetle Miller 250 high freq. MIG/TIG welder, Black Max 7.5hp A/C
73 Beetle
71 Bus
JonTurner
Tank wrote:
>I'm new to VWs--in fact I haven't even bought yet. However, I've caught
>"the bug" by reading your posts these past few weeks and am eager to begin
>a resto project soon on a 60s-era Bug--as soon as I can find one in the
>questions.
>
>1) Re: Welding equipment: Do most DIY folks use MIG welders? What are
and it included a gas regulator, some wire, and a visor. It's teriffic! I've
welded everything from 22ga fender patches, to a 11ga square tube subframe for
my kitcar. It's the only 110volt welder that I have tried that is worth owning
-- the others don't seem to have enough power. If you can afford it (and if
you have 220v in your garage) buy a 220v welder as it will allow you to weld up
to 3/8" plate steel in a single pass.
>2) Re: Air compressors: Brands? What size do you recommend for painting,
>blasting, and for air tools for working on the bug? What brands of air
>tools do you recommend?
That's a tough one. I have a 5hp 30 gallon Sears compressor. About $240 on sale
if I remember correctly. It works fine for all my purposes though it does tend
to run alot if I use my air cut-off tool. It's fine for HVLP paint spraying,
however.
As for air tools, I just buy the cheap stuff from Wal-Mart or Home
Depot/Lowes/Heckingers/other home product outlet. The cheap stuff lasts a long
while if you just oil it. No problems so far.
I bought a 1/2" drive air rachet from Harbour Freight tools. It was on
clearance for something like $30.00 which is in the "use it for a year then
throw it away if it breaks" category, but it has help up wonderfully and
continues to give excellent service. I oil every day, however. Not quite as
much torque as my SnapOn air rachet, but I don't feel bad if I drop it, either.
:)
>3) Does anyone have any tips on welding technique for the beginner?
Oh boy. My welder came with a videotape, but it wasn't all that useful. Check
out the local library or bookstore -- there are a number of good books
available. Just realize that nobody in this world has read a book then put down
a perfect weld bead on the first try. You're going to need to practice for a
few hours before you get the hang of it. Be prepared to waste some old scrap
fenders or something. Try cutting one up and stitching it back together, for
example.
Best regards and welcome to the world of Beetles.
Jon Turner
JCrane3882
>3) Does anyone have any tips on welding technique for the beginner?
Check with your local Jr. College (or whatever they are in your state), most of
them have evening classes in the Adult or contiuing education section, it
takes a while to learn but you get hands on and help with learning. It's a lot
better than flying blind and teaching yourself.
I went thru a class many years ago at a Jr. College in Calif. that taught
me enough to get the L.A. City certification.
Jon
66 Panel Van
69 Baja
John Henry
Tank wrote:
>
> I'm new to VWs--in fact I haven't even bought yet. However, I've caught
> "the bug" by reading your posts these past few weeks and am eager to begin
> a resto project soon on a 60s-era Bug--as soon as I can find one in the
> ArkLaTex area. I'm currently outfitting my "Muir toolbox" and had a few
> questions.
Welcome to the world of the afflicted...
> 1) Re: Welding equipment: Do most DIY folks use MIG welders? What are
> some good brands? And best for my $$$
I like Daytona MIG in FL, they run a big mail order outfit. Their low
end brands are not profressional, but nor are their prices. I have a
low end "Cebora" unit with gas bottle. I think you can get one for just
under $400 complete. You might also try buying a used setup, but in my
experience up here, NOBODY is selling them used.
> 2) Re: Air compressors: Brands? What size do you recommend for painting,
> blasting, and for air tools for working on the bug? What brands of air
> tools do you recommend?
A 3.5-5hp unit can be had from Sears for around $300, check you Sunday
paper circular. That size will do just about anything you want to do
EXCEPT "big nozzle" sandblasting (stripping whole panels, etc.) and some
high end HVLP spray guns (the way to go). There are some hobbyists guns
(HVLP) out now that can be run by a 3.5hp unit. You should look at the
air output of the compressor, not just the hp rating. Most air tools
(wrenches and stuff) use around 4 CFM at 90 PSI. My 3.5hp unit is rated
at 6.8cfm at 90 psi, pretty common. Any more capacity and you will only
be able to do sandblasting better.
Get a Harbor freight catolog (see my links page), they sell a good line
of "hobbyist" air tools. The next step up would be Ingersol Rand, Home
Depot around here sells their stuff as does Harbor Freight. I would say
spend good money on an impact wrench (1/2") that is good for 450ft-lbs
or better. You can get one for around $100, the rest of the stuff
(ratchet, grinder, air hammer, sander) is in the $30-$40 range for HF's
brand. I simply can't imagine working on cars without air tools now.
> 3) Does anyone have any tips on welding technique for the beginner?
Yeah. Get a MIG, get some scrap metal, same thickness as body panels.
Play. Practice, make stuff. A jewelry box for you wife/GF. Keep
playing, it is easy. My two rules for MIGing panels: Never hold the
trigger for more than 2 seconds and never weld within 2" of a previous
weld unless you can touch the old weld with a bare hand without yelling.
>
> Thanks
>
> Tank
>
> '94 YJ
> Lookin' for a Bug
And visit the BugShop! (URL below) My site is intended just for people
like you.
Have fun, good luck finding a car (DEFINATELY read the "What to look for
when buying" article before you go looking at anything)
--
John Henry, the "Fweeminator"
"To roar is to have honor. To Fweem is to be truly noble"
- Unknown
Visit the "BugShop" at: http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/4000/
Visit the "Fweematorium" at:
http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/Garage/5901
BZChef
before you buy all the equipment i would do some serious investigation
on learnin all the techniques first . whyyy well 1 its dangerous
stuff 2 if you dont know what your doin and your just gonna "Practice"
on your car then go ahead thats the best way to learn however if
you gonna keep this car then i would be doin some learnin first ,
for instance if you never did any sandblasting your in for a real treat
a few well placed mistakes and your gonna be lookin at a gaping
hole in the metal that you thought you were just removing the paint or
rust from . i in no way am tryin to scare you , just dont want
to see someone make the same mistakes as i did and pay the piper to fix
the problems soooooo good luck
vince 72ghia coupe resotored at last
Access Systems
In rec.autos.makers.vw.aircooled Tank <mmcm...@shreve.net> wrote:
> I'm new to VWs--in fact I haven't even bought yet. However, I've caught
> ArkLaTex area. I'm currently outfitting my "Muir toolbox" and had a few
> questions.
OK, I have been driving VWs' for about 30 years and have built a MANX, and
a Fibrefab Avenger, 3 type III's, 4 type II's and a 412. am now using a
78 Type II as my daily driver.
except for engine rebuilds (and have done one) or tranny work I do all of
the work myself.
I am also a Cheap SOB too
> 1) Re: Welding equipment: Do most DIY folks use MIG welders? What are
> some good brands? And best for my $$$
never owned one, (but am finally getting around to looking at em) I rent
em when I need em. so rarely that I doubt I have spent the cost of a
cheap MIG welder in 30 years
> 2) Re: Air compressors: Brands? What size do you recommend for painting,
> blasting, and for air tools for working on the bug? What brands of air
> tools do you recommend?
electric tools can do all of the same jobs, I only have a small
compressor for painting, and it would never operate an air tool.
(painted one bus with spray cans, very high quality paint but it was as
good as any done with a air gun..)
> 3) Does anyone have any tips on welding technique for the beginner?
practice, practice, practice, then practice some more, then consider some
lessons before tackling your bug.
Welcome to the greatest group of lunatics in the world
Bob