So I am currently in a similar boat with my bus, only my stair are WAAAAY more rusty. The bottom step is basically only being supported in the middle, both side are completely detached. However i am a bit afraid to just cut the stair off completely and make a new one. I was wondering if i could just weld new steel on top of the existing stairs instead of cutting anything out. Eventually they will be covered up by tile anyway, so i'm not worried about it being a bit thicker. Just curious if you think that would work.
I would worry that you'd create a place that would trap moisture and increase rusting. Practice welding on scraps, then have at it. The cool thing about these projects is that 99% of the time, whatever you screw up...you can fix. And you get better as you go!
@@River-Channel I'm so glad we found your video because it gave my wife the courage to weld our stairs and save hundreds in repair costs. They're definitely ugly looking welds but they're strong! I can finally stand on the stairs without feeling any weak spots 💪🏼
For future sheetmetal welding...place a piece of copper...maybe 1/4" thick, tightly exactly behind where you're tack welding. Acts as a heatsink and won't become welded together with the sheetmetal. We're all still learning. Walk away from a 'professional' weldor (not misspelled) when they 'know it all' and/or stick out their hand for💲to explain or answer a question. Any who, that's my dollar's worth due to inflation.😣 Thanks!👍
@@River-Channel Also I've heard of 'arc wondering' (dancing/fluttering/ flickering arc) due to having magnets attached near where you're welding. May be causing problems. Holding stiff paper behind a cut out section and tracing the opening then cutting a paper pattern to trace onto the patch material, will make a more accurate fit. Lastly...for now😊, quickly tack the patch piece in every spot it's aligned (butted up against flush). The reminder of the patch can then be aligned and tacked. A water soaked towel or rag can be carefully used to cool and shrink the metal. Just keep your hands dry.(waterproof gloves under the leather gloves) Safety note. If you notice a powdery substance near your welding bead, it most likely is the residue of galvanized metal. Galvanized metal gives off toxic fumes when heated to melting point.😵 Again please understand I'm no expert and very far from being satisfied with my own welding. Thanks for your time.👍
So I am currently in a similar boat with my bus, only my stair are WAAAAY more rusty. The bottom step is basically only being supported in the middle, both side are completely detached. However i am a bit afraid to just cut the stair off completely and make a new one. I was wondering if i could just weld new steel on top of the existing stairs instead of cutting anything out. Eventually they will be covered up by tile anyway, so i'm not worried about it being a bit thicker.
Just curious if you think that would work.
I would worry that you'd create a place that would trap moisture and increase rusting. Practice welding on scraps, then have at it. The cool thing about these projects is that 99% of the time, whatever you screw up...you can fix. And you get better as you go!
@@River-Channel I'm so glad we found your video because it gave my wife the courage to weld our stairs and save hundreds in repair costs.
They're definitely ugly looking welds but they're strong! I can finally stand on the stairs without feeling any weak spots 💪🏼
@@c0pyimitati0n Glad to hear it! Very few of my welds are pretty..but they've held up!
For future sheetmetal welding...place a piece of copper...maybe 1/4" thick, tightly exactly behind where you're tack welding. Acts as a heatsink and won't become welded together with the sheetmetal.
We're all still learning. Walk away from a 'professional' weldor (not misspelled) when they 'know it all' and/or stick out their hand for💲to explain or answer a question.
Any who, that's my dollar's worth due to inflation.😣
Thanks!👍
Thanks for the tip, Phil! I'll have a lot more welding to do on this project before I'm done so I appreciate the guidance!
@@River-Channel Also I've heard of 'arc wondering' (dancing/fluttering/ flickering arc) due to having magnets attached near where you're welding. May be causing problems.
Holding stiff paper behind a cut out section and tracing the opening then cutting a paper pattern to trace onto the patch material, will make a more accurate fit.
Lastly...for now😊, quickly tack the patch piece in every spot it's aligned (butted up against flush). The reminder of the patch can then be aligned and tacked.
A water soaked towel or rag can be carefully used to cool and shrink the metal. Just keep your hands dry.(waterproof gloves under the leather gloves)
Safety note.
If you notice a powdery substance near your welding bead, it most likely is the residue of galvanized metal. Galvanized metal gives off toxic fumes when heated to melting point.😵
Again please understand I'm no expert and very far from being satisfied with my own welding.
Thanks for your time.👍
@@philmickey7247 Awesome! (taking notes....)