help! smoothing welds

i have a second hand steel dolan track frame, the previous owner had to wel the underside of the bottom bracket seat. my query is whether i can smooth it down to get a smoother finish without weakening the weld? if so what would you recommend in using to smooth it down? i spoke to a few people and they reckon i should use a flap wheel and some people reckon i could get away with using wet and dry paper. any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

If its a weld I'd of thought you'd need a file or angle grinder, but I guess that depends on how bad it is. If people have suggested sand paper I assume it's a pretty neat weld n the first place?

Hmmm thinking about it, an angle grinder on a bike is looking for trouble. Maybe I'm not best to advise, my only welding knowledge is MIG welding a spitfire, and that wasn't very neat.

dremyl

Hand file, gentle dremel.

Also consider what the next stage is, will you be painting or powdercoating.

if painting, then small amounts of body filler could be used.

if powdercoat then it would not stick.

i have a second hand steel dolan track frame, the previous owner had to wel the underside of the bottom bracket seat. my query is whether i can smooth it down to get a smoother finish without weakening the weld? if so what would you recommend in using to smooth it down? i spoke to a few people and they reckon i should use a flap wheel and some people reckon i could get away with using wet and dry paper. any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

Flapper wheel grade 50 ish or find someone with a powerfile

Ferm Powerfile 400W Case & Accessories: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

thanks for the information guys. i will be spraying the frame after it has been smoothed down. i will get pictures up later which i will upload once i have finished my uni work so you guys can see it

leave it be i have come to the conclusion that its all in vain.

Leave the weld, chicks dig scars!

haha what a legend!

Leave the weld, chicks dig scars!

here is a pic of what i mean. i just wish to smooth down to get a flat finish. is it worth it?

1 Attachment

hmmmm, tricky, its under the BB, so who gives a shit.

yep, i know, if it was my bike, i would totally give a shit.

i have tried smoothing welds before, (i used to work in a furniture studio) and the dremyl will take it back a bit, but that is a thick weld, you will still be left with some kind of mark, so maybe just leave it.

sorry, just realised that hasnt helped at all...

Leave the weld, chicks dig scars!

Srsly, here's my latest..

Just leave the weld, it adds character and is possibly stongest as it is? Or you could smooth it down with a file, I'd still leave a ridge though.

*not actually found any scar-digging chicks just yet, but I have it from a reliable source that they are out there.

Also if you are going to get it powdercoated it tends to be quite thick so shouldnt show up nearly as badly as it does when raw....could always sand the powder coat down a little gently and clearcoat on top afterwards??

Malaysian - I will take your word for it! Now who is willing to put a scar on my face? Lool

Everyone seems to say leave it so battle scar it is lol. I just fidgety, I just wanna remove it for the sake of removing. But it seems its too much hassle for what it's.worth. plus no one would really see under my BB

really wouldn't bother on a BB.
If it was up top, maybe i'd try and neaten it, but not worth the time + BB shell takes the most abuse out of all the joints so wouldn't want to reduce anything down there really.

You will always know it is there, and it will always bug you...

Get the file out... 70-85 hours later you will be glad you did.

Of course you may have totally missed summer, but at least you will know there is no nasty weld mark.

haha ok i get the point now guys no sanding or angle grinding for me ^^

Good decision if the welder didn't grind out the crack, then you grind off all the weld the crack will re-appear.So leave it and paint it.