MDchanic

I may be an idiot (been called worse), but I don't see it.

Maybe if we could see the same picture after a good shot with a wire brush wheel on a 4" grinder, it would be easier.
I could be interpreting poor weld characteristics as shadows, but I just don't see it.

- Eric

Ces

I'm lucky to have another real car guy living next door.
When he took a look, about an hour ago, he said the job looked very well done.
That's upon seeing it in person.

A few doors down is the family with the 68 drop Cutlass.
Another family of car people, and my super kind neigbor,
who welded my rear quarter near the side light,
so my body & paint guy could do his job.
I'm going to ask him to inspect it as well.
He knows a bit about welding, himself.
I'll get back with those results.

oldstata

I am not a welder. I think that there is a weld on top of welds in the photos if you look close. Does any one else see this

bodyman5001

I am looking at the pics on a Samsung Galaxy Note 3. One of the best displays of any phone.

A guy taking a look at it under a fender who is a "car guy" isn't likely to see what I am seeing. Big shiny welds that look half decent may be ok for you. I would sue the everloving crap out of everyone involved in this repair when my family member is hurt by it.

I have no reason to discredit this work other than the fact that I know it to be shoddy. I wouldn't try to redo that work if you paid me. I might replace that front rail by sectioning it if it belonged to me.


I wouldn't drive that thing and I have ridden an 87 Honda Hurricane 145 mph with no fairings and an open face helmet (years ago)

RandyS

Can you post a pic of the weld across the back of the bracket?

bodyman5001

Hope this works

bodyman5001

It worked...here ya go

bodyman5001

In the first pic I posted they are circled.

Ces

my neighbor, and his son, just came and looked at it.
they said it looks to be more than strong enough to hold and be safe.
Stronger than the original factory weld on the drivers side.
And added that, considering the limited space my welder had to work with,
he did a great job.

Ces

I'll get that for you asap.
thx

MDchanic

My goodness.













I have not seen these welds in person (and never will), but I interpret these black linear areas at the edges of the welds as shadows from the strobe light, and not as "holidays" in the weld.

I'm curious what another actual welder who sees it in person says.

All in all, from broken to welded up, it's been fixed pretty quickly so far.

- Eric

Oldsguy

I cleaned up this thread as best I could. If any mods can improve on it please do.

NOW TO ALL MEMBERS. NO FLAMING, NO PROFANITY.

Not closing this thread but keep it clean, professional and courteous.

oldcutlass

I cleaned some additional comments that were unnecessary. All we can do is express our opinion and/or answer a question on this site. If it differs from others or is not considered, there is no reason to get upset or beat a dead horse, please move on with no nasty comments.

70cutty

I see the bodyman's point, I don't agree with the way he conducted himself, but I do see what he is talking about.
However it's really hard to judge this by just looking at the pictures. It could be the shadowing from the light.
No matter what I am sure Ces will make sure that this is done correctly and nobody's family will be in danger.

Sampson

I would just add that anyone who thinks these welds are not acceptable to get under their car with a magnifying glass so they can inspect the original welds as closely as we are analyzing this repair. It is unbelievable what the factory put out back then! Splatter everywhere. If I were the OP I would continue the rest of the repair and get on with enjoying my car!

pogo69

Yes mr. Bevilaqua

oldstata

X2 in the one pic it looks to be the factory weld splatter that is circled with the ? It looks like it's rusted and not a new splatter

Just my opinion

bodyman5001

You guys need better displays, the spatter isn't why I circled the area. It is the gap/crack ( hence the question mark)

Those are not shadows, they are incomplete welds.

The attitudes in this thread are why a reputable shop wouldn't touch this car. Good enough isn't good enough these days.

bodyman5001

Just as an anecdote. As a teenager I had a 1977 gmc pickup that the frame broke at the steering box. I believe this was quite common.

My friends dad had a brand new Miller 220 welder. The repair of this frame would be considered much easier than this cutlass. It looked BEAUTIFUL when he was done. Like Nasa compared to this hack job.

It lasted about a month before it broke again.

Good luck to anyone unlucky enough to be riding in or around it. As I said, luckily for someone who is killed by it there is documentation.

pogo69

I would also like to hear from some other pro welders ...bodyman does bring up some good points about the welds being incomplete and they sure are not pretty but whats important is how strong the weld is

rccktmn2

I agree, the "shadows" are created by heat which is creating undercut-cutting away the original thickness of the material with too much heat or poor work angle- this would also cause the weld to fail at that point because the original thickness of the frame has now been compromised. There are also a lot of "blobs" which would indicate poor work angle or not being able to get into a good position to weld the frame. I really don't see any rust, I think what your seeing is the gas that has covered the weld and made it look that color, I do see the gaps in the weld beads which would indicate a poor work angle and not enough movement of the gun.
These are just my opinions, not being able to see the car in person would or might make a difference but the holes and gaps and undercut in the weld would definitely need to be addressed before anything else.

oldstata

pulled it up on a diffrent computer and yes I see it now.

on the other's pics there does seem to be a few pin holes. but it looks to me that there is weld on top of welds as he was going back to fill pin holes or to get a better grab on the weld. like I said I'm no welder and I asked about the welds on top of weld earlier in the thread with no answer how would this affect the intergrity?

maybe grind and clean the current welds up and reweld as needed ?

pogo69

Ad far as legality and documetations....the thread has been altered by the moderator/admin

Ces

The welder has gone in again this morning spending a few hours improving on his work from yesterday. With out me telling him anything.
He was able to get to the top of the bracket as well as improve upon some of the areas pictured yesterday.

He said he did this to make it stronger and just to be safe.
I'll post pictures once he's done working on it.

Thx again to all

RandyS

If I had a question about the weld integrity on my car, I would grind the weld in one of the suspect areas, all the way down to the base metal. It would be fairly evident at that point if the weld penetrated in to both pieces or not. (Yes, I have done that on my own welding jobs..........)

Ces

Here's a pic of today's progress. After the welder touched it up.
He was working when I took this, so I didn't have time to take a better pic.
Sorry it's a bit blurry...

You can see where he improved upon what he did yesterday...

image_zpsde6eb70d.jpg

RandyS

Looks better. I would still like to see what the back side of the bracket looks like. That area gets a lot of push/pull forces applied and is a major area of support for that bracket.

Ces

I got you. I'm waiting for an opportunity to get a good shot of that section you're asking for....

Thanks

70cutty

This has turned ugly fast. There is really no reason for all this, we are all adults here (I think).

I know you are pissed off about the previous comments, I have seen them and I don't blame you, but you have to learn how to ignore certain comments. There is no reason to get worked up, some people just don't know how to get their point across in a civilized manner.

Boiler_81

This was the best advise in this thread. After seeing the repair, I am more convinced this is the proper course of action. I know you don't like the way the message was delivered by other posters but this is the way I see it.

70cutty

Ces man, take it easy. No need to get worked up. I know you are stressed out about your car but don't let this stuff get to you.
Some people just don't know how to communicate their opinion. Maybe don't have any friends, I don't know.
Aside from a selected few, this is a great group of guys who are very helpful and knowledgable. If we were all to get pissed off every time somebody posts a smart *** comment and stop coming here, there would be nobody left.

MDchanic

Clean-up in Thread 81660, please!



And... I'm thinking somebody really shouldn't be posting here.


Ces, if you're not completely tuned out, we are interested in seeing the next phase.
Also, we can offer you the ClassicOlds Stress Management Program™, at no extra charge.

- Eric

Ces

My Cutlass is back on the road. The repair turned out very well.
The new suspension and steering parts, plus over size sway bar,
have the car feeling better than ever.

I'm here to thank everyone on CO for all their awesome help and expert advice.
To all the good people who shared their time and concern, and helped teach me what I didn't know. Which was most everything relating to this issue.

So again, thank you very much CO.

I'll add that I sincerely apologize for losing my cool amid the bs.

Despite that, it's been a pleasure.

Respect, CO.
You're a good one

70cutty

Glad everything worked out Ces. It must feel good to have the car back on the road.

MDchanic

Glad you got 'er going!

Let us know how your trip to Vegas goes!

- Eric

oldcutlass

Well done, now you can move out of crisis into enjoyment mode.