Well i joined up on here for some advise on buying myself a TIG welder. Initially i was looking for something like a Clarke Invertor, but i got pointed in the direction of the R-Tech machines, and purchased a 160 DC TIG.
I have never used TIG before, but i used to use Stick in my job (pipefitter/welder). After reading up plenty on here, and watching youtube videos, i got a good feel for what i should be targetting and looking for.
Anyway, the main reason for the purchase is that i want to make a custom exhaust for my Mazda 3 MPS. The car is a 2.3 Turbo with 260BHP as standard.
My plan is a 3" downpipe back exhaust splitting to 2x 2.5" branchs with 4" tail pipes. On one branch, i wanted a large silencer, and on the other, i fitted an electronic exhaust valve. This is a butterfly valve controlled by a switch i have mounted up under the dash.
With the valve shut, the gases are forced to go through silencer, resulting in a nice, but not too loud note. When the valve is open, there is a straight through run with no silencer, allowing me to have a bit of fun!
Hadnt heard of this being done before, so i thought id give it a ago, and hope for the best!
Next job is to work back ward and re do the mid section in 3" stainless. In doing this, i will be removing the last standard silencer, which will make it even louder!
Tonight i have finished the axle back section, and thought id upload my work on here for comments.
And finally the video! It starts with the valve closed, then at 0:25, i flick the switch and the valve opens!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiHzrOy9xiA
The welds were done at around 24 amps, 1.0mm Tungsten, 1.0mm Rods. Upped it to around 30 amps for the flanges. Had the argon set at around 4LPM, no back purge.
Any comments welcome!
I have never used TIG before, but i used to use Stick in my job (pipefitter/welder). After reading up plenty on here, and watching youtube videos, i got a good feel for what i should be targetting and looking for.
Anyway, the main reason for the purchase is that i want to make a custom exhaust for my Mazda 3 MPS. The car is a 2.3 Turbo with 260BHP as standard.
My plan is a 3" downpipe back exhaust splitting to 2x 2.5" branchs with 4" tail pipes. On one branch, i wanted a large silencer, and on the other, i fitted an electronic exhaust valve. This is a butterfly valve controlled by a switch i have mounted up under the dash.
With the valve shut, the gases are forced to go through silencer, resulting in a nice, but not too loud note. When the valve is open, there is a straight through run with no silencer, allowing me to have a bit of fun!
Hadnt heard of this being done before, so i thought id give it a ago, and hope for the best!
Next job is to work back ward and re do the mid section in 3" stainless. In doing this, i will be removing the last standard silencer, which will make it even louder!
Tonight i have finished the axle back section, and thought id upload my work on here for comments.
And finally the video! It starts with the valve closed, then at 0:25, i flick the switch and the valve opens!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiHzrOy9xiA
The welds were done at around 24 amps, 1.0mm Tungsten, 1.0mm Rods. Upped it to around 30 amps for the flanges. Had the argon set at around 4LPM, no back purge.
Any comments welcome!
