Thread: Welding Headers

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I was just reading the thread on welders because, I was looking for a MIG to use when I try to weld up my own exhaust headers. A friend said that he thought that gas welding would be better and that mig may crack? Any input? If he's correct I need to brush up on my gas welding.

I'm planing to TIG mine. Just cuz' I 've got 1. A MIG should work O.K. I have a Flux core wire feed welder, I'm not a fan of flux core. If I had it to do all over again I wouldn't have bought it.

Hey pozz welding your own headers is a cool idea probally cheaper too .I would definately use a tig welder use ER70S-6 filler rod either 1/16 or .045 diameter . take your time tack everything up first before welding solid. I definately would not use a flux core mig ,use sheiding gas , unishield mix and .030 wire ,same mild steel no. Good luck ,write back

Thanks for the replies. I don't have a TIG so thats out. What about the gas welding, oxy actelene? A header company told me that the others TIG and MIG may give me trouble? I'm not a welder.

I weld the flanges with mig and gas, the pipes with gas only.

To do the flanges, I weld the inside of the flange with the mig, then do a fillet on the outside with the gas. It gives awesome strength (I can stand on my Nailhead headers in the 'A, and I'm 280lbs).

To do the pipes I use a gas rig and always tack four times at 90* intervals, then finish the welds in sections.

I never grind mine down, I prefer the fabricated, hard-core look on engine parts.

I used a MIG and shielding gas at the flange on mine and it worked fine. Since you asked though, I would imagine that Oxy Acetyline would work; but, I've never tried it. I prefer my MIG w/gas as it makes me look like I actually know what I'm doing .

If you don't have any luck w/oxy acetyline, I would suggest you look around your town and see if there is a place that rents equipment that might have a MIG (you'll want one with shielding gas not Flux Core (FCAW)) or TIG welder they'll rent to you. I think Home Depots even rent the MIG welders but I don't know if they have shielding gas or if they are FCAW. Anyway, Do all your welding prep, then when you are ready, go rent the welder and hit it all at once. That should keep the cost down.

BTW if you don't consider yourself a welder then I suggest you lean away from TIG. It's not as forgiving as MIG w/gas.

Lots O' Luck,
Firechicken