Armor cracks

[emptyhead]

What are you guys doing when you come acros cracks in your armor? I have found two cracks so far one is in the hood piece bolted to the firewall it goes from the edge to a screw hole and then turns 90. Second one is in the side armor and is about a 4 inch arc. Can they be welde with a mig. Or do i need to hVe someone do it with a arc or tig  weld. Thanks

[andy]

I have had good luck with mig welding, I grind the crack bigger so I can lay a better weld

Andy

What are you guys doing when you come acros cracks in your armor? I have found two cracks so far one is in the hood piece bolted to the firewall it goes from the edge to a screw hole and then turns 90. Second one is in the side armor and is about a 4 inch arc. Can they be welde with a mig. Or do i need to hVe someone do it with a arc or tig  weld. Thanks

[steve-0]

i havent had any problems welding it up with a mig welder.
i do the following.

grind the crack out on one side at least half way through but use a notching grinding wheel  so that it is not much more than 1/8" wide.

clamp the piece to a stout steel table with stout c clamps.

weld the crack with the weld gun angle at 90 degrees to the work .

after welding pound the weld with a 3lb sledge hammer. wack it good.

grind the weld down as close as you can.

flip it over and grind the other side to the weld penetration.

repeat above for this side.



this worked for me with no problems.

[emptyhead]

Thanks guys

[yd328]

I'm repairing some cracks myself, are you using mild steel wire in your mig and are you drilling at the end of the crack to stop it from running? I understand this is tough to drill and would use a carbide tip drill.

Thanks Gary

[andy]

Im using gas and  mild steel wire, no drilling of holes

andy

[spec4don]

Also if you preheat with a torch that will help. Just an FYI I've tried drilling with carbide and didn't have much luck.

Don G.

[HenryVIII]

If you heat the spot you are going to drill to a dull red it will take the temper out of the metal. Let it cool and you should be able to use a regular drill bit. I believe the temper is on the outside only but it will heat all the way through.

Henry

[steve-0]

i didn't drill any of the cracks.
the one time i did apply red heat in the form of a torch it destroyed the armor but that was not near an edge or crack so you may be ok doing it but i dont think there is any need.
 i was actually surprised when i welded it with the mig and it was still flat (if clamped properly).
i think its best to introduce as little heat to the armor as possible.

some people just grind the weld and tach it in a few spots then bondo the rest.

[yd328]

I'll stop drilling, I haven't made it all the way through. I have read drill to stop the crack but that may be for mild steel. I have been grinding, pre heating(not glowing red), welding, then using a needle scaler on the weld area, grind flat.

Gary