Billet offshore Mid

[CharlieN]

ya, thinking about it maybe i'd be inclined to do it out of like .065 DOM rather than chromoly. I Dont wanna worry about cracks at the welds because i didn't anneal or cool it down right or whatever..

The sourcing of good thin wall DOM in many sizes is scarce compared to 4130.
In a structure like a mid cracking will in some ways always be a concern due to the compact stiff structure it is. Just internal stresses and cyclic loading during operation will show you where a high stress concentration is.
If you do not get an even cooldown during fabrication, this may never rear it's head as it may in a larger flexing structure.
Should a joint crack at some point, fix it. It was welded once, it can be welded again.
I find stress relieving with the Tig torch during the weld process many times to be time and cost effective.
Plus this size structure lends itself to normalizing in an oven. I use to use my sisters pottery kiln to evenly warm then cool weldments. I wish I had that resource still.

One thing to consider is the finish of a fabricated structure, I would not spend time and money on a sweet finish till I am real happy with the structure. It is frustrating to add a gusset to a nicely powdercoated part.

PS, love your avatar.

[CharlieN]

thats the kinda info a guy like me can use. i'm self taught and figured combo would be better cuz it does more. but Idont plan on stick welding anything and already have a nice auto-set mig. maybe look at miller dynasty or something like that. i just remember it being around 2K

Look around for used machines as well. Welders have become crazy expensive. The Dynasty should be a real nice machine, I have only done a demo weld with one when at an airshow.
One thing to consider is the torch. This type of work needs a small body torch such as a WT9 or a 20 in a watercooled torch. The but -17 torch is F'ing useless in the confines of tight tube structures. You do not need watercooling on light DC welds but it lets you work longer.
One thing that makes a big difference is flexibility of the powercable. Lincoln has an optional ultraflex cable that is fabulous. There are a few other good flexible cables as well.

[Chaz]

Charles Vogelsong and Curtis Pitts both told me I ruin good tubing by using one of them electric welders . According to them , both MIG and TIG thermally shock the tubing to the point where it is no longer normalized .

I'll just stick to stealin coat hangers out the Mrs closet ...

[JPEROG]

Charles Vogelsong and Curtis Pitts both told me I ruin good tubing by using one of them electric welders . According to them , both MIG and TIG thermally shock the tubing to the point where it is no longer normalized .

I'll just stick to stealin coat hangers out the Mrs closet ...

I think this is the guy to listen to. He seems to have had just a little experience with a welder LOL-- (his work looks like robotic and does some very custom stuff)-speaking of custom, how are the power heads looking?

Joe

[Chaz]

Brother ,
You seen how bad that other thread went off topic , second amendment , Asia and back ...

One is more than a powerhead . Bombproof tiller , rebuilt steering , plumbing , wiring , nuts and boltz ... now trying to fit a 10 lb cowling on a bad azz 5 lb mota .. then she's ready for Kory to put the pedal ... err ... run a tank or two thru it before stringin it out ...



The other one , I didn't like the way the needles and cages looked on the other five holes , on both the top and bottom . The fix is not my trick , so I'll text you a picture ...

[tux974]

I think this is the guy to listen to. He seems to have had just a little experience with a welder LOL-- (his work looks like robotic and does some very custom stuff)-speaking of custom, how are the power heads looking?

Joe

He actually does pretty nice work with the Mrs hangers.....
Hey not a good idea to give up his secrets.....

[Chaz]

Tux ,

I tried gettin the french fry job at McDonalds .. they got mad and fired me for eating all the ones I didn't drop on the floor ...

I dont hold out nuttin on Joe . He and Scott have taught me more tricks of the trade than I could ever pay back ..
It was just a small machining process to let the oil wash thru the rod better . I sent the owner of the motor a few pictures , asked him to share them with J.P.

Ohh yea, Mid's ... LOL

The one for twister was back home last week or so ago . Boss man wanted a few subtle changes made ..



I recon Jasper is just around the corner . I'm pretty happy with how this V-8 mid is turning out ...



The reason I said the junk V-6 block sittin out back of Monty Racing was my favorite was because it was the one I use to jig up the mid on Ray Leach's current boat . Got it back the other day to start on another V-6 ...



This time , it's gettin a 2.5 sportmaster . I like the general shape of the mounting pattern ... wide motor , narrow azz lower , gonna look hot



A fab man can make or break a welder ... it's all in the fitment ..

[tux974]

Awesome work, love that amazing unique work!!....Keep the pics coming!.....
Charlie, is that a small block Chevy...............

[dnelson964]

Just found this thread.....very impressive....

[Chaz]

Awesome work, love that amazing unique work!!....Keep the pics coming!.....
Charlie, is that a small block Chevy...............

Tux , No sir , but I'm pretty sure the one it's going on has the same bore size as a small block Chebby ..

Doc , these are the third and fourth mid section's we have done from scratch .. I find it a lot easier on my L-5 / S-1 and C-5 , 6 and 7 , than hangin upside down all day inside a car buildin a cage ..

[dnelson964]

Tux , No sir , but I'm pretty sure the one it's going on has the same bore size as a small block Chebby ..

Doc , these are the third and fourth mid section's we have done from scratch .. I find it a lot easier on my L-5 / S-1 and C-5 , 6 and 7 , than hangin upside down all day inside a car buildin a cage ..

Chaz.... I like the way your thinkin'.....out of the box and out of the cage ! lol

[tux974]

Doc, don't let him kid you, he is a great and extremely talent guy!!.... He also hates being in boxes....

[AZMIDLYF]

That's reinventing the box right there!! Amazing.

[dnelson964]

Doc, don't let him kid you, he is a great and extremely talent guy!!.... He also hates being in boxes....

Tks Tux ! .... I Think I have a good idea about Chaz's talents.....just wondering how much input he lets venmous contribute! I know they can't be just 'eating' all day.

[Chaz]

He is a valuable asset ...!