BTW, I have a solid version of the 1st Gen Neon front mount if you're interested.
BTW, I have a solid version of the 1st Gen Neon front mount if you're interested.
In reply to turboswede: Thanks for the offer. I welded in my bracket for the Stratus/2nd Gen torque mount yesterday, so I think I'm going to stick with it.
Yesterday I cleaned up the build area, then prepped all of the tube joints with a wire brush, then solvent.
Then I started welding. I am about half way through so far, and my technique of welding one joint, then its mirror and jumping around the frame seems to be working, no chassis warp so far. I have a few less than pretty welds, but I'll only show the good looking ones. 
Loving this build! 
What kind of steering set up are you doing?
Those are great looking welds. Keep it up!
Steering is Miata Uprights and a de-powered Miata rack, with some to be determined home-brew steering shaft (probably double D shaft).
Thanks for the weld encouragement. I've been less confident since a few guys on the locostUSA board tore them apart. I'm confident that they are strong though, so I guess that's all that matters. The last one I did yesterday is all blobby, so I will be grinding as much as I can out and re-doing it.
They're not excellent but they're pretty good, I'd be happy with them if I paid for them.
I strive for slightly better than average.
I don't want to tangent/threadjack, but any insights about what someone can tell by looking at those?
With my feeble welding knowledge, the only thing that looks off at all to me is that in the inside corners of joints, the bead seems to stand up a bit much, possibly suggesting imperfect penetration? And maybe, maybe, the bead seems a bit wide on the flatter sections?
I know, I know, I just need to go weld and cut apart a few hundred joints and I'll be up to speed
Visual inspection only tells you so much, but what you're looking for is full coverage and consistency. Consistent area of heat discoloration, consistent length of bead, consistent shape and spacing of "ripples."
For example here are a couple of "perfect 10" welds:
Those look tig where as bgkast's appear to be mig. Big difference in the process and control.
Those are some purdy welds, they look like TIG welds to me.
Last night was more welding. I was about to quit for the night and noticed I was almost out of shielding gas so I burned through the rest of the tank. Off to go swap it out before work.
Yeah those are TIGs, but the same rules apply. Here are some "perfect 10" MIGs:
Lots more in the "official pretty welds thread" on Pirate4x4 (perfect welds are a big deal over there):
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/shop-tools/835131-offical-pretty-weld-thread-24.html
I Finished welding the side and top joints, now I need to remove the engine and flip the car over. I went back and ground down a few welds I wasn't happy with, unfortunately many of the welds I don't like are in funky joints that I can't get at with my angle grinder. I will either have to find another way to grind them down, or just live with them.
I also did this:
The engine is supporting it's self!!! It settled about 1/4" with the stock mounts, about what I expected. I ordered some goo to fill them while the engine is out.
bgkast wrote: I Finished welding the side and top joints, now I need to remove the engine and flip the car over. I went back and ground down a few welds I wasn't happy with, unfortunately many of the welds I don't like are in funky joints that I can't get at with my angle grinder. I will either have to find another way to grind them down, or just live with them. I also did this:
Nice job, that mount looks good. As far as grinding your welds, get a real die grinder and a burr. I got a giant Milwaukee on ebay for cheap.
In reply to bgkast:
Congrats! Huzzah!
I was lazy and didn't do any work on the car last night. I did buy a fancy fuel door like this though:
It even came with the surrounding sheet metal. I'm trying to stick to the mopar parts bin as much as I can.
Another night off from the car...my wife made me a better offer. 
bgkast wrote: Another night off from the car...my wife made me a better offer.
You need her to talk with my wife. Her offers are like "You can sit next to me while I watch TV for a half hour".
In reply to tuna55:
Yes, but how many little Tuna's do you have running around? There's something about cause and effect in there, but I can't be bothered
turboswede wrote: In reply to tuna55: Yes, but how many little Tuna's do you have running around? There's something about cause and effect in there, but I can't be bothered
Yeah, four. Each one took an average of two attempts. We've been married seven years now, that math is not great.
Mine must be trying to catch up, we have 3 and she is already thinking about #4. 
She said the smell of grinding dust is a turn off.
tuna55 wrote:bgkast wrote: Another night off from the car...my wife made me a better offer.You need her to talk with my wife. Her offers are like "You can sit next to me while I watch TV for a half hour".
Same thing for me last night.. I was ready to head to the shop and she gave me "the look" and asked me to stay in... Then insisted on spending an hour in the bath wanting me to sit on the floor and talk and then watch TV... I did it.. but damn.. 
bgkast wrote: Another night off from the car...my wife made me a better offer.
Did you spend the day doing handbrake turns with her in the car? According to Top Gear the hand brake is directly connected to... you know...
ronholm wrote:
Next time you gotta finish quick and then go straight to sleep. Turnabout is fair play
GameboyRMH wrote:ronholm wrote:Next time you gotta finish quick and then go straight to sleep. Turnabout is fair play
I've read this a few times and I have to say I am not sure which look he means. I haven't had the "look" in a good way in a few years, but I get hat other look, that one that means you had better just start apologizing now for existing in the first place, quite often.
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