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Aug 27, 2012 19:00:10 GMT
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Evening all, Lately I've been welding cars a bit and have a small problem, I can't get into tight corners ,nooks and cranny's to clean rust away. This means I can't get the weld quality I get when doing industrial work. I wondered if any members have any tips or can recommend any tools that are good for those hard to reach places. Any ideas will be gratefully appreciated.
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MK5 Transit MK1 capri
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Aug 27, 2012 19:13:47 GMT
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There's no perfect answer. Just a list of work-arounds. You can expose the area by cutting away the surrounding metal and then welding that back into place afterwards. You can use the welding torch from a distance allowing the wire to extend from the tip a couple of inches but if you're using gas for the weld you might have to turn up the gas to the max and maybe pre-gas the area before starting the weld. Other various tricks.
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Aug 27, 2012 20:15:03 GMT
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If you've got an air compressor handy then a finger belt sander like this www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110697639350 is very handy for getting where other tools won't reach. There are also electric versions if you don't have a compressor
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Use a dremel or one like it. Aldi were selling a cheap version for ÂŁ15. Cheap, I know but genuine heads fit on it and it's only for cleaning rust off.
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1993 Mercedes-Benz 190e LE in Azzuro Blue.
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I sandblast such areas and then spray with weld through primer. These hard to reach areas are the ones that will start to rust before the repaired area so better to make a mess and do it now than in a couple of years time.
paul h
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Aug 28, 2012 13:33:48 GMT
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Aug 28, 2012 22:06:55 GMT
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Cheers for the replys, thats what I was looking for. We have got a compressor so I'm gonna look into some of these ideas. I did try an air die grinder the weekend but didnt do well, I think perhaps better stones or maybe brushes might work better. My mate who shares my unit has some blasting equipment but it isn't working yet so I am gonna try that, I'd like to know more about how much mess it makes and any safety issues blasting outside a cabinet. I did wonder about those needle hand held belt sanders and wonderd if there anygood(never used one). I might invest in a dremel , I usally borrow another mates and I did rate it. I use needle guns at work but on big stuff but these would really knock sheet metal about again I've only used heavy duty ones ,Would the machine mart model be ok on thinner steel? any experence or opinions would be apreciated. Again cheers for the comments and anymore info will be a big help.
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MK5 Transit MK1 capri
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Aug 29, 2012 14:04:55 GMT
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needle scalers work on the volume of air/pressure of air supplied.
the machine mart wont be as good as an industrial one anyway, but turn the pressure down it should be fine. try it on a scrap bit of tin to be sure
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Aug 29, 2012 17:22:40 GMT
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This type of sandblaster if ideal if you have access and don't want much mess - www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/sb5-spotblast-gunI use recycled grit (crushed old carborundum wheels) in mine and lasts for ages My gun is probably 30 years old yet the rubber nozzles don't seem to have worn much. Slightly different to the MM item in that the grit is held in a normal pot and then caught in a bag. Paul h
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Aug 29, 2012 17:37:49 GMT
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Brushes are not good. The only thing they do is cover up the rust pores ('smear/bent' the 'edges' of the pores) - looks shiney but is still 80% as rusty as before Always use abrasive stuff. Stones, a tungsten burr etc. Or even better - cut it out and replace with fresh metal...
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Aug 30, 2012 18:58:21 GMT
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If memory servs me right Machine Mart do sell a small basting gun which is ideal for small jobs like what you have,ie corners.Yes it is quite messy and you DO NEED to wear a FULL face mask dust and Eye protection grit is also sold at machine mart
Dave
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Aug 30, 2012 21:55:26 GMT
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Cheers for the replies folks, I'm really chuffed with the input. I've got a Land Rover Discovery boot to do soon so I'm gonna get some better tackle. I'm gonna batter machine mart the weekend , get the needle gun/ air chisel and order the sander of fleebay. In addition I.m gonna bully super custom1 to get his machine mart blasting gear running as well . I might look at different bits for the die grinder at my local industrial suppliers too. Again cheers for the input dudes, I'll let you know how I get on.
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MK5 Transit MK1 capri
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75nut
Part of things
Posts: 512
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Sept 4, 2012 10:35:09 GMT
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Everyone needs a dremmel! Perfect for the issue you are listing here! Also for cutting the area out as well as cleaning! You will thank god everytime you use it if you havent already got one when your stuff with a tricky area, rusted bolt, tight grind area etc etc . Id be tempted to get genuine dremmel bu then buy cheap accessories as I find the cheap verion of the actual dremmel have weak motors
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90 Alfa 75 3.0 V6 Cloverleaf 79 MGB Roadster 88 Saab 900i Convertible 94 MK1 MX5 1.6 05 Volvo V70
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Sept 12, 2012 19:34:18 GMT
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Hello dudes and dudets, welded the disco the weekend, the needle gun was OK, not as heavy as industrial kit i usually use. The air chisel was an eye opener, really good. Some bits I just had to get stuck in and do the best I could do some times putting tacks every ware and then going over the top of them (called buttering in industry). Anyway cheers for the help and I'm gonna start collecting more bits and pieces and I will post about them in this thread as I do with how I rate them. Also I would be really chuffed if others want stick there opinions both good and bad as well.
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MK5 Transit MK1 capri
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RobinJI
Posted a lot
"Driven by the irony that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
Posts: 2,995
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Sept 18, 2012 17:58:38 GMT
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Carbide burrs in a die grinder can be really handy for cleaning up rust in hard to reach areas. It doesn't leave a particularly nice surface (slightly better than a grinding disc if you're careful), but it's a quick and easy way of getting the rust out so you can work with clean metal at least. A decent selection of sizes and shapes makes it possible to get pretty much anywhere: Damn handy for opening up holes too, and actually removing metal from tight areas, ideal for grinding back welds in unreachable corners and the like.
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Last Edit: Sept 18, 2012 17:59:56 GMT by RobinJI
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