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optimistic
Member
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# Posted: 13 Sep 2021 05:00pm
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Hey all,
I have a cargo van (2001!) and I need to weld this piece of metal to the wall in it. Can I do it or I need to disconnect car battery or something to prevent current from damaging my van?
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 13 Sep 2021 05:52pm
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I do know that you want to get your welder ground clamp as close to the spot you need to weld as possible and not make current run through bearings.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 13 Sep 2021 07:08pm
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Disconnect the negative cable at the battery.
And as gcrank1 mentioned place the welding ground clamp as close as possible to the welding area.
reference The guy is right
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 13 Sep 2021 09:26pm
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Quoting: optimistic Hey all, I have a cargo van (2001!) and I need to weld this piece of metal to the wall in it. Can I do it or I need to disconnect car battery or something to prevent current from damaging my van?
Hook ground of welder to part you are welding too. Make sure its on a clean surface. Even if you have to grind off oxidation, paint etc.
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 14 Sep 2021 06:09am
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A 2001. Just make sure everything is clean bare metal.
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optimistic
Member
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# Posted: 14 Sep 2021 09:22am
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Might just ask mechanic to do it for me. I love this truck and killing it will not be fun
Best $1700 ever spent!
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 14 Sep 2021 09:59am
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Ime not all mechanics are welders....or as careful with my stuff as I am.
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 14 Sep 2021 02:15pm
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gcrank, I am a technician, darn good welder and as picky as they get. But I am too far to drive. ;D
There is lots of "mdt_tech's" out there.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 14 Sep 2021 06:36pm
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Im sure you are!
But there a a lot of, um....less capable out there too.
Fwiw, I spent a good deal of my work life involved in mechanics, including years as a Moto Guzzi and HD service tech, both in and out of agency. Like you, Ive seen a lot, good and bad.
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 14 Sep 2021 06:57pm
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Quoting: gcrank1 Like you, Ive seen a lot, good and bad.
Yep, we call the bad ones "hacks". I can do another thread just on the crazy stuff I have seen others pull.
What type of welder you have, stick, MIG? If not, good excuse to pick up a nice welder. 
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 14 Sep 2021 07:19pm
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I took welding in H.S. shop, learned enough to do my own fabricating/rebuilding as needed through the years. Biggest stuff was rebuilding some Caterpillar dozer parts with a Lincoln buzz box, worked it beyond its duty cycle a lot and it was like a Timex.
Ive still got a little buzz box, havent used it in years because Ive got a good friend that is a certified welder and loves his work 
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 15 Sep 2021 07:54am
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Where are you located optimistic?
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