Frame Question

[Misled]

.....see, that's what's great about this board......you learns TONS!!!!

[71Farmtruck]

Originally Posted by phipp13

Riveting is the preferred method over welding when possible. When riveting, there are no adversely affected areas/joints due to heat annealing from the welding process. it is just stronger and tougher than any welding process.

Thanks for the props, right back at ya. I know from working sheet metal that to anneal is to "shrink", so to speak, I am not a welder, just a pretender. So what does heat annealing do to the integrity of a welded joint? Also, wouldn't most of you agree that if someone were to weld say the frame braces and leaf spring hangers instead of utilizing the factory rivets, it would create rigidity issues?

Oh, and I also found out that clear zinc is available for fasteners, it is not common because it is used for mostly aesthetic reasons, like when you want a plain finish (black) look while having the zinc corrosion protection.

[XXL]

Originally Posted by 71Farmtruck

Thanks for the props, right back at ya. I know from working sheet metal that to anneal is to "shrink", so to speak, I am not a welder, just a pretender.

Actually, annealing is the process of inducing ductility by breaking down dislocations and realigning the metal's crystal lattice.

[Shane]

what XXL said ... which means annealing is a process in which you make the metal softer .. not smaller