Thread: ? about welding plates to frame

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I am streghtening the frame by welding 1/8" plates.I think it would be best for me to recess the plates 1/4"-1/2".My problem is ,How do I get a good looking quality weld?Being that I am welding on the frame I can only spot weld about a inch.Will it be safe to go at least 3 inches?I was thinking that I can sand blast the area around the weld and fill with JB weld the sand smooth then paint .You guys think Jb weld will hold up.Can powder coating be applied over the Jb weld?

Are you boxing the frame? Welding closeout plates into the "C" channel? If you are then go ahead and do your stitch welding. Then weld some more after the welds cool. Keep stitch welding and cooling until you have all of the plate fully welded. Insetting the boxing plate a 1/4" or so is OK.
JB Weld will do nothing to add strength. Waste of time. Just keep doing as you are doing until it's all welded.
Mark

I use a product called Metal to Metal for the intial fill when molding in welds. If you are going to powder coat your frame, there is a specific filler to be used. Check with your powder coater or with Eastwood.

....If your welding on a truck frame it seems as if it should be thick enough to weld more than 1 inch w/o heating up so much that you have to stop welding. What type of machine are you using, what size rod, etc. If it's Mig it shouldn't heat up that much, if Arc then may be a smaller rod with a lower heat setting? If your putting the gusset plate in a 1/4" you should be able to have a really nice looking weld. Plenty of parent metal sticking out to make a nice bead..... Bill