welding question:

[tanz-e]

hey peoples,
Im just curious to know how bead locks are welded to a rim. Wouldnt the rim twist or shrink?

[georgey]

Pretty sure you do it in stitches so it doesnt warp.Just like diff bracing.

[big lux]

stich weld, dont let any one area get to hot, cover with fire blanket to cool slowly, an extra thing i done was put several small tacks on the bottom of the rim to a 15mm steel plate (my work bench) to help maintain the shape. fair bit of work in it all. i did two at a time so do a little on one leave it to cool go to the next then back, spose if u had a bigger bench you could do more. once your all done welding grind up any bird shit. Then fill the gap behind the bead lock up with water and roll it around this is how i check for air leaks then weld up any leaks, run a bead of silicon around that gap when your happy jus for extra assurance.

[tanz-e]

thanks fellas...

[AFeral]

First I make sure the ring is centered perfectly. I put one tack next to each hole. Then weld the rim in 4 different places 90 degrees apart. Then inbetween them etc. until the hole thing was welded up. I've run rims up on the tyre balancer and come up 100% good and required no lead too balance.
Rims are only thin metal and only require a small weld. It would be a good idea to bevel the edge of the beadlock. A small weld formed weld is better than a larger weld (surposed bigger is better weld) This will also keep your distortion a minimum.
Its not that hard just spend a bit of time with prep and positioning. Could also be worth getting some bits of scrap the same thickness and doing a few practice runs to sus out the best bevel and welder settings