Smoothing out a weld

[AT Blaster]

I have been working on my Blaster a bit at a time. I recentkly began sanding down my front bumber in preperation for paint.

I noticed that the welds, while strong, could look so much better if I were to take and angle grinder and maybe a file to them.

Would this weaken the welds themselves? I know it's just the bumber but If I am going to put this much time and effort into it I want it to look as good as I can possibly make it.

So, to smooth the welds or not smooth the welds? That is the question. B)

 

[blasterfreek30]

u can clean up the welds just dont go to deep into them where u going into the frame

 

[AT Blaster]

Thanks! I don't plan on going overboard with it but often times I find myself becoming a lil OCD and don't quit when I should

I will be cautious not to go to deep. Just want to make it look as slick as I can.

Soon as the holidays are over I am going to make it as fast as I can!!!


Thank you for the advice. Anything esle you can think of? I am doing extensive prep work and learning as much as I can on paint and prep work. I just don't know what else I am missing.

I am going to clean up the wiring next but any more ideas for the body?

 

[blasterfreek30]

u can use a dremmel with a cone shaped head to get in real close on some of the nasty welds in the corners.......ive done quite abit on this on my frame (which i still havent finished yet lol)

 

[AT Blaster]

Ahhhh..... The dremmel!

One of the tools on my Christmas lists. I am rather inpatient tho. I wonder if the wife would get made if I were to buy one anyways so I can get this knocked out?

Thank you for the advice my friend! I will post pictures once I get the bumper done!

 

[4cfed]

AT ... tool shop rotary tool.. its a cheaper version of a dremel.. looks and works the same.. thats what i have and it cost me a whole $13 bucks at menards

 

[AT Blaster]

I imagine being a available at menards, they keep a nice selection of attachments as well?

 

[4cfed]

oh yes!!!! i ended up buying the dremel brand metal polish kit, you can but kits with all the diff bits for like wood work, polishing and so on, for you can buy little packs of just the stuff you want.. i spend 20 bucks on the polishin kit and the tool shop 'dremel' iv polished metal with it, cut bolts, grinded welds, and trimmed aluminum brackets

 

[AT Blaster]

What has two thumbs and knows what is getting done tomorrow night?

THIS GUY!!!!!I:I

Thanks for the info. I hate spending money right now but I want to get this stuff knocked out! Let's just hope she doesn't have one waiting in my stocking or under the tree I guess :-/

Hopefully I will be able to have it all knocked out by the New Year and have pictures posted!

Thank you for the input guys!

 

[xd45c]

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Rotary tool with 30 piece set for $8. I don't have one so can't comment on the quality..but what the hell even if you get one use out of it and it breaks it's only $8. There is a $20 on there too that has variable speed settings.

 

[AT Blaster]

Nice..... We have a Harbour Frieghts store maybe a mile down the road from where I work.

Added benefit? She already asked me to go there tomorrow and pick up a few things. I come home with something like that she can't get mad right?

I don't get mad when she goes grocery shopping and comes home with shorts because they were "on sale" right?

 

[yamahaman126]

Theres a Harbor Freight in Richmond? Where at?

 

[blasterfreek30]

Nice..... We have a Harbour Frieghts store maybe a mile down the road from where I work.

Added benefit? She already asked me to go there tomorrow and pick up a few things. I come home with something like that she can't get mad right?

I don't get mad when she goes grocery shopping and comes home with shorts because they were "on sale" right?

lol exactly man!!!!!!!!

 

[ROCKSTAR]

an dif she did buy you one, if the harbor freight one breaks after you get you project done, then shes a got a nicer one waiting for your next project....it all works out.

as for grinding the welds, you want to smooth them out, not grind em down so you can see where the 2 metal pieces come together. then its weaker. what you want to do is blend the edges smooth, the take the top, and bring it to the height of the edges, and make it look like the 2 pieces dont stop....like they are 1 continuous piece.

 

[AT Blaster]

Thank's for the input guys!

Yamaha126, there isn't one in Richmond that I know. I work in Muncie (damn hour drive one way) and there is one there. It's on McGalliard just off Wheeling. It's right next to Staples.

Unfortunately I didn't pick it up. I was specifically told I was not allowed to shop for me...

Pst...... I am off Wednesday and what she doesn't know won't hurt her! LMAO

Thanks for the heads up Rockstar! My worry going into it was that I would get to deep into the welds. That is reason #1 I am only doing the bumper for now. I can learn as I go. If I screw up and weaken it, I can buy a new front bumper!

Hopefully I will have some pnew pics to post up Thursday or Friday!

 

[yamahaman126]

Oh I thought you was working at the Richmond store, I'm with you. I've been to HF in Muncie before.

 

[AT Blaster]

No.... I was working in the Richmond store until June 26th. Now it's to Muncie I go!!!

Like having my own store but the damn drive is killing me. I need a job that pays well but requires little to no work. Any suggestions? LMAO

It's a pretty cool store. I won't speak on the quality of tools but for no more than I am actually doing I won't complain!

They actually have a rather inexpensive electric powdercoating set up.

Can anyone give me any ideas as far as additional equipment I will need?

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Do I actually need an oven? I am assuming I would but not willing to invest that kind of money!

 

[yamahaman126]

I would same my job requires little to no work at times, but the pay blows! If you figure it out let me know.

Small parts you could put in a kitchen oven, but don't use your good kitchen oven. The wifey may go nuts.

 

[ROCKSTAR]

electic oven. use an old but working electric oven for small parts. larger parts, like a frame need a special larger oven. you can build one from heating elements from old electric ovens.

the guy that pced my parts used his house oven, and still cooks with it, i wouldnt reccommend that......hahaha

but you need the powder, gun, some wire, and an electric oven.

 

[ROCKSTAR]

Thank's for the input guys!

Yamaha126, there isn't one in Richmond that I know. I work in Muncie (damn hour drive one way) and there is one there. It's on McGalliard just off Wheeling. It's right next to Staples.

Unfortunately I didn't pick it up. I was specifically told I was not allowed to shop for me...

Pst...... I am off Wednesday and what she doesn't know won't hurt her! LMAO

Thanks for the heads up Rockstar! My worry going into it was that I would get to deep into the welds. That is reason #1 I am only doing the bumper for now. I can learn as I go. If I screw up and weaken it, I can buy a new front bumper!

Hopefully I will have some pnew pics to post up Thursday or Friday!

hey no prob, man. im smoothing my frame welds on my duner, so i know how it is....im having a tough time getting some hard to reach spots, and a dremel doesnt seem to be the best option.......idk how im gonna do those...i gotta hit it with a welder also to smooth out some other spots that are low or i went too deep...etc. you can always fix a weld you went to deep on....and then smooth it over. some spots have welds that arent really deep or wide, which may make it easy to get too deep.