Resurgam · Jun 4, 2020

I've been refurbishing my seats as part of my Defender 90 rebuild and have run into a small issue. The metal pans in the bottom of both front seat bases have cracked where they were welded to the frame (you can see in the photo below where I've scoured the paint off fully in preparation for some sort of repair).

Obviously they need re-welding, but I have absolutely zero experience with a welder. I'm quite happy to buy one and give it a go, but a quick look around the internet gives a massive variety of different types of welder, along with the suggestion that it's quite difficult to weld thin metal (I'd say it's probably about 0.5mm - it's certainly pretty flimsy stuff).

As the rebuild progresses, I'm going to have to do a bit of welding on the door bottoms, and if I really get into it there's a bulkhead in need of substantial repair. Any suggestions about what sort of welder to get that would be capable of all these sort of jobs would be welcome, along with any tips about how to weld these seat bits.

Thanks.

wireman · Jun 4, 2020

Welding and welders, a massive subject, and spoken a lot on here, try using the search facility. Also look here for a buying guide and lots of welding advice:
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/equipment.htm

My advice, do a course if you can, buy the best Gas Mig you can afford.

Resurgam · Jun 4, 2020

wireman said:
Welding and welders, a massive subject, and spoken a lot on here, try using the search facility. Also look here for a buying guide and lots of welding advice:
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/equipment.htm

My advice, do a course if you can, buy the best Gas Mig you can afford.

Thanks, good advice, and that's a really helpful site. A course will be a bit tricky at the moment though!

lynall · Jun 4, 2020

Weld seats at work, same carp thin steel.
Do you not know anyone who can do it for a drink? I woudl hazard most small garages would be glad of some work.

Resurgam · Jun 4, 2020

lynall said:
Weld seats at work, same carp thin steel.
Do you not know anyone who can do it for a drink? I woudl hazard most small garages would be glad of some work.

I'm calling in a favour as we speak. I think I'll leave learning welding until I'm doing the door frames.

lynall · Jun 4, 2020

Resurgam said:
I'm calling in a favour as we speak. I think I'll leave learning welding until I'm doing the door frames.

From my exerience the seats will crack again, so dont get to wrapped up on the welding being perfect.
The problem we have is the seats are in trucks, and they are rated at max 18 stone, so when I weld them I also add in some thin flat steel bar for extra strength.

Brown · Jun 4, 2020

lynall said:
From my exerience the seats will crack again, so dont get to wrapped up on the welding being perfect.
The problem we have is the seats are in trucks, and they are rated at max 18 stone, so when I weld them I also add in some thin flat steel bar for extra strength.

The drivers are heartily nourished on fried breakfasts and eventually grow to fill the cab if employed long enough.

jamesmartin · Jun 4, 2020

Resurgam said:
I'm calling in a favour as we speak. I think I'll leave learning welding until I'm doing the door frames.

the smaller the welder doesnt mean the thinner tin you can do thats more quality of the welder

lynall · Jun 4, 2020

I have always found decent/big welders will go down and weld thin stuff no probs, it is when you ask cheap/small welders to do the same the fun starts!

nobber · Jun 5, 2020

I would get a garage to do that, it wont cost much, and substantial bulkhead repairs? If you haven't welded before and dont want to buy expensive kit then let someone else do it.

Resurgam

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