Exhaust work this weekend. I grew tired of my old hangers (little donut things with the 2 holes) it turns your exhaust into a jump rope. I decided to go flexpipe, and from that point back mount the exhaust to the frame using the donut cut in half as a bushing. I didn't pay any attention to the looks of the pipe welds, just that it would be airtight. First time welding anything under 1/8" so it was a learning experinece.... I think I have the hang of it now, but not very pretty though.






Yes, I burned right through a few times, those are little patch jobs.









I bought a 2.5" pipe u-bend from Jegs and the thing is literally 20 guage metal, it's like trying to weld tin foil. I needed to use a "collar" of heavyier guage pipe to act as a heat soak and prevent burn through. Again, not pretty but it should hold up. Definetly not moving anywhere.
[img]http://berisford.net/uploads/cpom/projectpup/13/11.jpg[/img]

Latter half of the piping is my old setup. I'm just tucking it up even higher now that I have the access.
[img]http://berisford.net/uploads/cpom/projectpup/13/12.jpg[/img]

Finished motor mounts. Again have to give Dan props here for the idea.
[img]http://berisford.net/uploads/cpom/projectpup/13/13.jpg[/img]


Changed crossmember to add more beef.
[img]http://berisford.net/uploads/cpom/projectpup/13/14.jpg[/img]
[img]http://berisford.net/uploads/cpom/projectpup/13/15.jpg[/img]


This was the best looking rotated foward butt weld I made. I used the typcial half moon sweeping motion, but stayed at the top for longer, then dipped down and back up quickly. I found this method kept the puddle from sagging. Let me know if there is a better way to do these types of welds because I am experimenting as I go along. I also turned down the heat setting for the metal by 1 notch.
[img]http://berisford.net/uploads/cpom/projectpup/13/16.jpg[/img]

I think I have the vertical up down now. Just needed to slow down wire speed and drop the heat by one also.
[img]http://berisford.net/uploads/cpom/projectpup/13/17.jpg[/img]





Let me know if there are better techniques for welding exhaust pipe. I was using current setting "2" and wire speed ~25 on my miller 210. If I lower my wire speed any more I get that tap tap tap like a firecracker where it can't maintain an arc. My beads are just too big, maybe it's because I like to go very slow. I also found I couldn't just "shoot and drag" or my bead would be too skinny and it wouldn't melt the pipe any.