VW welding question

Hi All

Just got a 75 bug and am evaluating what kind of work I need to do to
restore it. I am new to bugs.

Some of the floorboards are rotted through and will need to do some
welding under the door opening, from what I can tell. Would prefer to
do this work myself - what's the fun in paying someone, right?

What would be a decent welder to get to do this sort of work with? I
could ask on one of the welder groups, but those guys seem to be
pro-welders. Their needs are probably way more than mine.

Lowes/Home depot both sell a MIG $340 solution by Lincoln -- is that
working for anyone?

Thanks!
Remco

" > wrote:

>Hi All
>
>Just got a 75 bug and am evaluating what kind of work I need to do to
>restore it. I am new to bugs.
>
>Some of the floorboards are rotted through and will need to do some
>welding under the door opening, from what I can tell. Would prefer to
>do this work myself - what's the fun in paying someone, right?

Check-out the BugMe video series on heater channel and floor pan repair:
http://www.bugmevideo.com/

>What would be a decent welder to get to do this sort of work with? I
>could ask on one of the welder groups, but those guys seem to be
>pro-welders. Their needs are probably way more than mine.
>
>Lowes/Home depot both sell a MIG $340 solution by Lincoln -- is that
>working for anyone?

If it does simple arc (stick) that might be just fine. I like TIG,
myself. From personal experience, don't steal floorpans from other
junkers.. The prep work just takes too much time. New replacement pans
are best.

>Thanks!
>Remco

--
David Gravereaux >
[species: human; planet: earth,milkyway(western spiral arm),alpha sector]

wrote:
> Hi All
>
> Just got a 75 bug and am evaluating what kind of work I need to do to
> restore it. I am new to bugs.
>
> Some of the floorboards are rotted through and will need to do some
> welding under the door opening, from what I can tell. Would prefer to
> do this work myself - what's the fun in paying someone, right?
>
> What would be a decent welder to get to do this sort of work with? I
> could ask on one of the welder groups, but those guys seem to be
> pro-welders. Their needs are probably way more than mine.
>
> Lowes/Home depot both sell a MIG $340 solution by Lincoln -- is that
> working for anyone?
>
> Thanks!
> Remco
>

Skipping the welding part.......the floor pans bolt to the
rocker panel/heater channel along the sides. Usually the
channels are badly rusted too and must be replaced.

That brings one to the next step: removing the body from the chassis.

Very soon a small project becomes a major one. <g>
And one that will tie up the family garage for months.

Do a GOOGLE search for: VW + body + removal (or similar).
Here's one link out of many: http://www.cirkut.com/bug/week17.html

Here's a site with some nice peeks inside the complex sheet metal
that makes up a Beetle: http://www.vwdcqinc.org.au/insideabug.html

Not trying to discourage you, but you gotta go in eyes wide open.

Speedy Jim
http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/

Since you're new to VW's, bookmark these 2 sites:
http://www.geocities.com/siliconvall...vwbookmark.htm
http://www.classicvws.com/cgi-bin/viewguide.pl

Each contains hundreds of links to useful VW sites.
Enough to keep one browsing till after Christmas.

Speedy Jim
http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/

Thanks, David and Jim.

Appreciate that info on the video tapes, floor boards and caveats on
welding.

In another thread someone mentioned Danish floor boards, which are
apparently superior to the cheaper ones out there.
I found those yesterday at www.oeveedub.com.
Since the body has to come off, it is probably a good idea to wait
until then, right?
Was looking at the heater channels and left side is totally rotted out
so will need to be replaced. The other one looks solid. Oeveedub has
those as well. Are those the ones to get, then?

Oh, I know that this will not be a minor project and I appreciate the
reminder, Jim. I have a two car garage pretty much dedicated to be a
workshop. I've fixed a fair amount of cars when broken, but this is
definitely the largest automotive thing I've undertaken.

With the great guidance I've gotten from just reading this newsgroup I
am not afraid of the job.

Thanks again.
Remco

My experience with OEVEEDUB is that they do seem to carry some very nice and sometimes unique products.
> wrote in message oups.com...
> Thanks, David and Jim.
>
> Appreciate that info on the video tapes, floor boards and caveats on
> welding.
>
> In another thread someone mentioned Danish floor boards, which are
> apparently superior to the cheaper ones out there.
> I found those yesterday at www.oeveedub.com.
> Since the body has to come off, it is probably a good idea to wait
> until then, right?
> Was looking at the heater channels and left side is totally rotted out
> so will need to be replaced. The other one looks solid. Oeveedub has
> those as well. Are those the ones to get, then?
>
> Oh, I know that this will not be a minor project and I appreciate the
> reminder, Jim. I have a two car garage pretty much dedicated to be a
> workshop. I've fixed a fair amount of cars when broken, but this is
> definitely the largest automotive thing I've undertaken.
>
> With the great guidance I've gotten from just reading this newsgroup I
> am not afraid of the job.
>
> Thanks again.
> Remco
>

The Wolfsburg West floor pans (halves, not quarters as offered by
oeveedub), although Brazilian, are thicker than the other ones that you
can buy. I put a set on my '63 and can tell quite a difference between
those and the thinner, cheaper ones.

I believe aircooled.net sells the thicker ones as well, although I'm not
completely sure.

Good luck, floor replacement isn't bad! Heater channels are another
beast though. I would highly recommend the BugMe video for this (as well
as the floor pans). You can buy them directly from Bugmevideo.com, or
from other vendors such as aircooled.net. Either way, they provide a
visual which is very helpful.

Good luck,

Dane
'69 Bug
'63 Bug

wrote:
> Hi All
>
> Just got a 75 bug and am evaluating what kind of work I need to do to
> restore it. I am new to bugs.
>
> Some of the floorboards are rotted through and will need to do some
> welding under the door opening, from what I can tell. Would prefer to
> do this work myself - what's the fun in paying someone, right?
>
> What would be a decent welder to get to do this sort of work with? I
> could ask on one of the welder groups, but those guys seem to be
> pro-welders. Their needs are probably way more than mine.
>
> Lowes/Home depot both sell a MIG $340 solution by Lincoln -- is that
> working for anyone?
>
> Thanks!
> Remco
>

Use a mig welder for auto body repair for the novice, stick welder is too
powerful and will blow holes through your nice bug, you need to be very
experienced to use a stick welder for body work.

Tim

"Dane Tyler" > wrote in message
...
> The Wolfsburg West floor pans (halves, not quarters as offered by
> oeveedub), although Brazilian, are thicker than the other ones that you
> can buy. I put a set on my '63 and can tell quite a difference between
> those and the thinner, cheaper ones.
>
> I believe aircooled.net sells the thicker ones as well, although I'm not
> completely sure.
>
> Good luck, floor replacement isn't bad! Heater channels are another
> beast though. I would highly recommend the BugMe video for this (as well
> as the floor pans). You can buy them directly from Bugmevideo.com, or
> from other vendors such as aircooled.net. Either way, they provide a
> visual which is very helpful.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Dane
> '69 Bug
> '63 Bug
>
> wrote:
> > Hi All
> >
> > Just got a 75 bug and am evaluating what kind of work I need to do to
> > restore it. I am new to bugs.
> >
> > Some of the floorboards are rotted through and will need to do some
> > welding under the door opening, from what I can tell. Would prefer to
> > do this work myself - what's the fun in paying someone, right?
> >
> > What would be a decent welder to get to do this sort of work with? I
> > could ask on one of the welder groups, but those guys seem to be
> > pro-welders. Their needs are probably way more than mine.
> >
> > Lowes/Home depot both sell a MIG $340 solution by Lincoln -- is that
> > working for anyone?
> >
> > Thanks!
> > Remco
> >
>

Welders - if you just plan on using it for the light to med. welding a
110VAC unit ought to suite yours needs just fine. I bought the Lincoln 135
with the gas adapter... although it does both MIG and Flux core wire... Flux
core looks like bird poop welds - lol. and you'll have to clean it up by
grinding or it will corrode. Floor pans aren't that bad.

The Brazilian seat rails suck, see if you can salvage the original seat
rails. Forget about 1/4 pan halves or junker donor pieces (unless you cant
get it new or good replacement), do the whole pan half. heater channels the
same thing ... But that's a major undertaking!!

Get the welder practice on old fenders, sheet metal, angle iron ... anything
metal! Order the floor pans/heater channels, then when you get them, then
decide what YOU need to cut and replace as every car has different needs.
Some might need more or less sheetmetal cut and replaced! Have a plan have
the replacement parts on hand and be prepared to do some fabricating, since
sometimes the rot might be just past what the replacement panel will cover!
My website has alot of pics and an article on how I did it... well worth the
effort I say!

http://www.ramva.org/dragenwagen/heaterchannel.html

Anyway good luck with what you choose to do... BE SAFE and have fun!!!

************************************************** **************
dragenwagen
1966 Type I - Daily Driver
1969 Type I - Undergoing heater channel replacement
http://www.ramva.org/dragenwagen
"Old VW's Don't Leak Oil, They Mark Their Territory."
************************************************** **************




> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hi All
>
> Just got a 75 bug and am evaluating what kind of work I need to do to
> restore it. I am new to bugs.
>
> Some of the floorboards are rotted through and will need to do some
> welding under the door opening, from what I can tell. Would prefer to
> do this work myself - what's the fun in paying someone, right?
>
> What would be a decent welder to get to do this sort of work with? I
> could ask on one of the welder groups, but those guys seem to be
> pro-welders. Their needs are probably way more than mine.
>
> Lowes/Home depot both sell a MIG $340 solution by Lincoln -- is that
> working for anyone?
>
> Thanks!
> Remco
>

Thanks, guys!

I'll take that advice -- I realize that the work will not be minor, but
I'll take my time (it is just a hobby, not a job).
In January I'll sign up for a welding class (Hamden CT) to make sure I
don't blow myself up and will eventually start looking for a mig welder
-- I've heard those are easier to control for novices.

You'll see more of me here, now that I got a bug to work on.
Thanks again
Remco