I have been watching youtube videos to see how to make headers. In all the videos, they cut the mandrels with a bandsaw. Is there a specific reason that a bandsaw must be used or could I use a chop saw ?
And must the mandrels be Tig welded or can they be Mig welded ? Thank you. (one too many photos - sorry)
-- Edited by Cuddles on Tuesday 1st of March 2022 02:23:12 AM
-- Edited by Cuddles on Tuesday 1st of March 2022 02:24:49 AM
It's your car..... Your build..... Your rules.....
If you want to cut I them with a Cheese grader and put them together with stick welder then that's what you do....
I'm guessing that "they" use a bandsaw for the cuts is to be accurate in tight areas with both hands on the piece... And as far as the welding .... Same thing looks nice, more control ......
That's if you know what you're doing.... Just remember that the videos you watch are probably guys who do this work all the time and more than likely will not show the gross work they have done or the mistakes.....
The best work usually begins with a good well thought out plan....
Not exactly how I do it ... I'm so good . I usually do the task a few times till it eventually looks ok.
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The best way to get on your feet is to get off your ass.
Thank you so much 30-S6 ! I am just trying to do everything I am learning here safely and correctly. If I need a better tool, I'll save for it or build it. From what you tell me, I think I'll save for a band saw. I put a lot of time and effort into this so far and I might as well continue to do the best I can.
From what I know so far, I think I'll have to hire someone to Tig for me but I am going to ask a high school auto or metal shop teacher to see if I or a student can learn Tig on it. I think Tig is really neat and tidy. Thank you again.
-- Edited by Cuddles on Tuesday 1st of March 2022 09:27:08 AM
I don't want to be the reason anyone does or doesn't attempt a task ... Or even the way it is done....
I personally did not have a band saw or tig welder when I built the lake headers for the Essex....just a marker, paper towel roll, cut off wheel, grinder and a mig welder & Everything turned out just fine....but I don't really care if the other guy approves what I do or how I do it.... as long as I'm happy with the outcome.
My car, my build....... My rules.
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The best way to get on your feet is to get off your ass.
Thank you Supernash. I did find a $265. band saw for $80. that had been used only once but Warren set me straight and saved me some money I can better spend on parts. If I take my time and mark and cut carefully, I can cut with a hack saw. So that works out fine. I had forgotten about horizontal saws so thank you for that but I have the time for a hack saw. I could probably use the exercise after another long winter anyway.
And I contacted a local high school to ask about Tig welding but they don't do Tig welding and worse, they don't work on cars like we did when I went to high school a decade ago. They no longer bring in hot rods or even cars of students or teachers for work or repair. Boy the kids today must miss out on so much.
Unless something unexpected pops up, I think I will Mig weld my headers. I am told it is common and acceptable. So far they have been a real labour but a real blast to design. I'd do it all again and I guess I have to for the passenger side. Should go a bit faster this time. Thank you again.
I remember taking a tour of a futuristic shop classroom in a new highschool built in the Hamilton area. It was a huge square open concept w/ 8 ft glass walls situated in the middle of the floor space w/ 4 seperate work areas adjoined to the class area. While one class was in the classroom the other 3 areas had students working on practical projects. With no large over head doors in any outside walls, projects had to be brought in or taken out thru a 3' wide door. The automotive area had vehicle components as work stations ie car door w/ electrical wiring, a stationary small engine etc. Can you imagine teaching drafting in the classroon section while the metal fab class was hammering on some metal work! Taught at the high school level for 30 yrs but never ran into this situation at my board - thank goodness. Too many school boards are shuttering some shop classes because they say they are too expensive to run & maintain. I guess I was lucky as I taught most of my yrs in a country high school where most of my students were farm kids - they wanted to learn Gas,MIG,TIG & resistance welding that I taught. In the beginning my night school classes had many a father attending but that interest slowly waned over time. Luckily there is still a few professional guys in my area still working on classics - but they are getting smaller in #. One garage 2 hrs north west of Toronto is still surviving because they are now getting classic owners from the GTA area.
I get the impression that there is always a small contingent of enthusiasts and will be as long as people like those here are willing to share the wealth of knowledge they hold. I know I'd be lost without you. I guess school board policies will deteriorate but home garage policy isn't likely to. Thank goodness it's an addiction, eh ! Thank you 40Rat.
Starting out w/ 2 apprenticeships - the journeymen taught me, so I just paid it forward to my students. This is a great site w/ many a learned bunch - I'm still learning from comments here myself!
One of the most valuable lessons I learned here and will never forget is paying it forward and helping when I can with what little knowledge I have. Fortunately, I had some spare parts to help some people out. I just got photos yesterday of the headlights and buckets I gave away. His 46 is coming along. It feels good to help. And on FB, Someone is almost always asking about seats in an 'A'.
I may be fortunate in that a gentleman about 3 miles down the road appears to be a welder. He has welding stuff all over his acreage so I think I will stop in and ask about him teaching me to weld better and maybe weld Tig. He can only say no or yes. Nothing to lose in asking I guess. It has been difficult to try until now because of the virus. But I think I'll ask. Even if he says no, maybe he could Tig my pipes once I finish laying them out, cutting and clamping them. If not, I will just mig them. I can always use the practice.
I learned from online videos about shielding a pipe at both ends to prevent sugaring. What a great skill. Such beautiful welds.
