To grind or not to grind? that is the question.

What's the general opinion on here, should all welds be ground back for neatness even if they look reasonable or should they be left for strength? After all when the work is covered in stonechip and paint you won't see much!

 

On my chassis repairs I ground them back a bit, especially any rough welds but not flat. From my point of view, strength is key and it's not like chassis repairs will ever be invisible...

 

^whs. I've ground mine back a bit too

 

Depends how confident you are that you got good penetration. The welding pictured looks good.

 

Cheers Zed, I take no responsibility for this though. My recent purchase of a Portamig 185 has made a big difference to my work.

 

Glass half full: You could weld all along, but had a crappy welder.

 

Isn't that a case of a bad workman blaming his tools though. lol

 

No, not now you've showed it to be otherwise. Actually I think it's good to struggle with a poor welder for a bit - it makes you appreciate a good one.

 

My gas welding doesn't need grinding,
My mig stuff however usually needs grinding off and gas welding instead!

 

I usually just dress the spatters and mis-alignment.
I would leave the weld itself as the form is actually structural strength.

 

i'd ask Birdy there's an app for this.