BRUTUS!! The Caterham Brutus 750

[Big Timmy]

being a boilermaker that was the first thing i noticed , glad it wasn't just me , someone needs to leave the welding to someone else

Thanks, It wasn't just me either.

I worked in the boilermakers union for many years myself doing pressure vessels. "March Metal Fab" in California for the Nuclear and petroleum Industry. Cylindrical objects were my specialty. Thats how I got into Tube fabrication I guess and building Drag Cars and Custom Bikes over the years out of my own shop.

Back in my early days I made about 200 Hand rolled cone two stroke expansion chambers which helped for building skills for doing cylindrical work. I started on my own Maico dirt bikes in the mid 70's and later on many Quads for Flatrack and TT racing.

Grinding after the welds are done is for people who don't know how to pregrind and prep for the welds in the first place. Preparation and correct fitting is the name of the game. Taking a little pride in the finish of the actual weld itself is a lost art.

 

[kenny310]

Thanks, It wasn't just me either.

I worked in the boilermakers union for many years myself doing pressure vessels. "March Metal Fab" in California for the Nuclear and petroleum Industry. Cylindrical objects were my specialty. Thats how I got into Tube fabrication I guess and building Drag Cars and Custom Bikes over the years out of my own shop.

Back in my early days I made about 200 Hand rolled cone two stroke expansion chambers which helped for building skills for doing cylindrical work. I started on my own Maico dirt bikes in the mid 70's and later on many Quads for Flatrack and TT racing.

Grinding after the welds are done is for people who don't know how to pregrind and prep for the welds in the first place. Preparation and correct fitting is the name of the game. Taking a little pride in the finish of the actual weld itself is a lost art.

I am with you all the way , sounds like you have done a bit more than me , i also have pressure welding certificates and always prided myself on a beautiful weld finish , i haven't done much in the last 12 years , chose to steer away from unhealthy fumes
but if i saw welds like that on anything i was considering buying i wouldn't buy
Here in Australia i recently worked on a maintenance shut at a power station alongside guys half my age or less and most produced exceptional weld finish's so i think in the upper end of welding , the quality is good.

 

[Boogie]

I was a welder in a past life. Wearing heavy leather jackets and all the other gear was a killer in QLD summers... not for me.
The average Caterham welders should have filled the welds with car bog (body filler, fibreglass, whatever) and sanded back so they were seamless. Just for the show, not for production.
I noticed the welds and thought "geees they're messy and there's a grind mark... they must have ran out of time before the show"
Welds on a showpiece should either be artwork OR covered up.
I still like the beasty Brutus.

 

[Motosportz]

Preparation and correct fitting is the name of the game. Taking a little pride in the finish of the actual weld itself is a lost art.

Not lost just need to find the right people. Guy who welds my TR650 skid plate / frame connectors was a nascar frame builder. He can lay down some nice welds.