pimped out cars

Again, With a little practice anybody can weld, The act of welding is probably the easiest part of the process. The toughest part is setting up the machine so you can get a quality weld. Typically once you learn a welding machine and it’s setting which you will mark on the machine or write down in a notebook.

If you want to spot a good weld you will need to know what a good weld looks like, but even that is not a guarantee. When you look at a weld you will not be able to tell how will it has penetrated the metal. A good weld is stronger that the surrounding metal. The first thing that any instructor will tell you is that the weld will look like a roll of coins. Another thing to look for is that the weld is straight and consistent width including the the discoloration on either side of the weld. If there is no discoloration of the metal on either side of the row of coins then there is no penetration of the weld and the material into the metal. If the discoloration is too wide then the penetration is too much and has caused the discoloration to be too wide. The discoloration weakens the metal. The issue is to make the weld strong and not weaken the area around the weld too much. Also to for bubbles in the weld and unmelted material in the weld. These are all sign of weak and low quality welds.

If you want to see high quality welds go to your local motorcycle dealership and look at the frames on the sport bikes. Also, I don’t know if it is still true. But high quality Mountain bicycle had nice looking welds on the frames. The manufacturers were showing of the welds as a sign of quality instead of sanding them flat. Typically welds are about an inch to an inch and a half long.

Good luck. Once you learn what a good weld looks like then you will be able to critique a custom car for quality and if you are planning on buying one, you will have more confidence. Also if you are going to pay some to do some welding for you. You can tell quality work.