Filler rod for 4130 Tubing?

[Jetmekdc-10]

I have been building a roll cage for my truck using 4130 .120 wall. I am using RG-60 1/16 filler rod. I was told today that it will not work and that I should be using ER-70S6. The welds that I have done so far look good to me and I am wondering if the RG rod will hold. I am also looking for anyone that has any used GTAW instructional DVD's or VHS tapes they would be willing to sell. I am finishing up a school here in Memphis but I feel like there is a lot more to learn. The school was mainly a beginner school and I have not had much luck finding an advanced tig school. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Adam

[dabar39]

I wouldn't do this if I were you. rg60 rod is more for an oxy/acet weld. It is a much softer filler material. I personally would not even think about using it on such a critical item such as a roll cage, unless you plan on strapping in some people you don't like much. I would highly discourage a novice weldor from attempting to learn how to weld on something so critical, could save your life or kill ya. Myself and I'm sure a few of the other racers on here will tell you the same thing, a roll cage is nothing to be taken lightly and should be done ONLY by a professional, but if you still plan on doing this project make sure your life insurance policy is kept up to date. Dave

[Aerometalworker]

I have been building a roll cage for my truck using 4130 .120 wall. I am using RG-60 1/16 filler rod. I was told today that it will not work and that I should be using ER-70S6. The welds that I have done so far look good to me and I am wondering if the RG rod will hold. I am also looking for anyone that has any used GTAW instructional DVD's or VHS tapes they would be willing to sell. I am finishing up a school here in Memphis but I feel like there is a lot more to learn. The school was mainly a beginner school and I have not had much luck finding an advanced tig school. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Adam

Adam,
you didnt mention if you are Tig or OA welding the 4130.

If Tig ER70s-2 is commonly used in the avaition community followed by a torch anneal if its critical.

If OA welding use RG-60 or 65 ( old 32-CMS )

In either case the weld fillet will be stronger then the base tube provided you used enough filler and didnt go for the lady-finger tiny cute fillets all the chopper guys do.

-Aaron

[Jetmekdc-10]

Thanks for the input. I am tig welding the roll cage on my truck. I initially took my truck to a couple of local fab shops and was floored when I heard what they wanted to build a cage for me. I decided to build my own cage and weld it myself. Now I enjoy welding more than offroading. Go figure. I bought a tube bender and a notcher from JD2.com and studied tube bending from pirate 4x4's great site. I bought a 250DX and have spent a lot of time practicing. I studied roll cage designs and learned how to build a cage that I will have faith in. I will switch to the ER 70 rod. The connections that I have already made all have to be gusseted so hopefully I will be okay. Thanks, Adam

[Bmxin^Bjorn]

I would highly discourage a novice weldor from attempting to learn how to weld on something so critical, could save your life or kill ya. Myself and I'm sure a few of the other racers on here will tell you the same thing, a roll cage is nothing to be taken lightly and should be done ONLY by a professional

You cant get better at making rollcages if you dont make them .
i use the 70s-6 rod for my bicycle frames and a silicon broze rod for my gussets and brake mounts, and i am making them out of 4130 tube.
i have never tryed the RG-60 ,, does it work good?

[JonnyTIG]

RG-60 stands for Rod Gas, oxyfuel rod only; does not work at all properly for TIG. When I worked for Rocky Mountain Bicycles we welded all of the Chrome-Moly frames using ER760S-6. This is the fiiler metal of choice when welding Cro-Mo tubing using GTAW. Oversized welds will do the same job as proper sized welds, but wastes material. If you are profficient at GTAW, you need not use extra filler, it will not add any more strength. However, building a roll cage is tricky business and if you are not learned in making sound tubular weldments, let a professional do it, for your own safety.

[dabar39]

Sorry Bjorn, But I'm standing my ground on this one.

You get practice doing non life threating things. I have seen many injuries and a couple deaths by roll cages that were not built properly. I don't know exactly what kind of truck is being built, but the drivers compartment has to be there to save you when involved in any kind of mishap. The whole idea of a roll cage is to keep you safe in the vehicle, a broken weld could be disasterous. Your cage could fail and collapse around you, let whatever hit you come in, loose pipes could impale you, all it takes is just one or more poor welds. If there is any other racers on here I think they would all say the same, roll cages are not to be taken lightly and should not be done by a novice for practice. Dave

[FusionKing]

I got a buddy I worked with and he is a street stock racer and made his own cage. Done it with a 100 amp 110 v Lincoln. It looked dangerous sitting still to me!! I think those little welders are the worst things ever invented for watering down the need for a professional welder when it comes to safety.
Just my opinion on this....I used to race Nascar Asphalt Grand American Late Models and always considered a roll cage both protection and deadly if it failed . Those cars were nothing but cage.