Where would you go to get something welded
 

I barely even want to talk about this because of the amount of anger behind it, but here goes.

The part of my seat frame on the bmw where the metal bracing for the left ass bolster meets the seat frame is broken. This is why that bolster was flaccid. Apparently, this is a weak point for early E30 seats. Until I took the seat apart, I didn't know it was a seat from an 85 (not original to the car, which is a 91). If I had known, I wouldn't have just spent $180 on new seat shocks which may or may not even be the end of that saga. I should have just bought some new sparcos or something.

Anyhow, apparently this can be welded back. I don't have a welding torch. I don't even have a garage. So this means taking it somewhere. Where does a person go to get a seat welded?

Strip it down to the metal--just the part you want welded as anything else can catch on fire. Take it to an exhaust shop like a Meineke. They should have someone there that will charge by the hour for welding.

for something like that I would post it up on craigslist and try to find an independant guy to do it. You will have to strip the seat but the welding job itself should only take a few minutes.

You realize that there are welders out there, right? I mean, people that are in the business of doing nothing but welding. Got a Yellow Pages?

How are you liking your Frankenstein E30?

JR

Bring it by my shop, I'll do it :)

I really didn't realize that! The frankenstein E30 has so far been a tragedy, as each little 20 minute project has turned into week-long fiascos.

So I'd have to strip off all of the upholstry from the bottom? Damn, then I'd have to learn how to reupholster too? Scheisse, I hadn't even thought of that. I'm starting to think about ditching these seats.

Call a welding supply company (local Google or yp.yahoo.com) and ask if they can recommend someone. they probably know someone that could use the work.

What car did you buy?

anyone you bring it to will have welding blankets. You'll be fine.

You should have bought a car like mine, the highest-priced 325is in existence. Then, all you'd be doing is driving and grinning...


Taking the upholstery off of a BMW seat frame isn't the end of the world. If you don't want to screw with it, or lack the tools, find an upholstery guy and pay him a couple bucks to do it for you. While you're at it, take a look at the recline mechanism. Those go t**s up on those seats pretty often, too.

JR

another option is to just get new seats. I've got very nice 2001 325 sport seats w/ heat in my 95 4Runner and was some of the best money I've spent on the truck. think I paid $450 for the pair.

I know... if I had known that this wasn't going to be simple, I would have. Now, I already blew $180 on new seat shocks... I guess I could sell them for a small loss and also sell the seats to someone with the patience to deal with this. The seats LOOK great. For someone with the magical ability to start and finish a project, they'd be a good deal.

Thing is, they LOOK correct in the car, and they are really comfy.

What about some kind of epoxy or Billy Mays super putty? :D

don't throw good money after bad. take the loss, get good, no excuses seats. plenty of threads on Bimmer forums on how to put newer seats in older cars. I still have to create a permanent wiring solution to my seat set, but forums were helpful in getting things set up. Also got a CD with wiring diagrams that has proven invaluable.

good luck!

Have you ever seen the second American Pie movie?

If you were local, I would fix you right up. Without seeing it, I would guess that with a little creativity and a wet towel, we could fix you right up in a few minutes. I would try taking it to a muffler shop that does not look busy. Walk right up with it and ask them if they can squirt a quick weld on the broken part.

I was thinking the same thing. I'd be happy to do it and, as a bonus, my welding will add 2 pounds of extra weight.

Well, once it's sorted, doing this from time to time should make it all worth it...

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I once had the (quickly passing) thought of "Welder-in-a-can" for the DIY'er: A stream of liquid sodium is combined with a stream of water....

You do realize that is MY car, right? That's a video from the previous owner.

Which is why I suggested stripping it himself, so nothing got damaged. I'm sure YOU could make it work with minimal disassembly, but I'm not sure I'd trust some guy at a muffler shop to not hurt anything.

I had a very similar problem with the drivers seat in my e36. I pulled out the seat and unbolted the seat back. I used pliers to removes the staples/clips holding on the leather to get to the broken bit. This took ~30 minutes.

The welding took about 2 minutes. Drill a hole in the area for more surface area and cut a piece of extra stock to weld in for support. Use a welding blanket or at least some wood or thick gloves to protect the padding, that's the hardest part. The last thing you want to screw up the seat material with a stray spark.

If you take the seat to a shop ready to go, I bet a 12 pack and a $20 will get it done.

Step 1: http://yp.yahoo.com/
Step 2: Click the "Location" link, Type your address, city/state/zip and click "continue"
Step 3: In the "your search" field, type "welding" and click the "Search" button.

Where would I go to get something welded?

My garage.

I'm certainly no welding expert, but I've been learning. It's not that difficult. Probably one of those things that "takes a day to learn but a lifetime to master". I definitely wouldn't trust my own welding for precision/high-strength structural applications or anything like that, but for everyday, run-of-the-mill stuff? Sure. Why pay someone else to do something you can do yourself? Plus you get to learn a skill and improve it.

Trust me- if I had a garage, this would be much easier. My seat is currently in the middle of our apartment's kitchen.

You can still get a 110V Lincoln or Miller MIG welder for about $6-700.
Makes more economic sense long term than paying someone a hundred bucks each time(and is a great party conversation starter to boot).
That, a vice, and a drill will give you the ability to shape and rearrainge metal. Metal!

Storage might be an issue though. Mabye a local "services wanted" ad on Craigslist or the phone book?

Frankly, I don't think much of the 'welding' I see at most muffler shops. I certainly would not go to a franchised Mieneke type of shop unless you really want to get hosed. A local college will have some welding students and one could take the seat in for a project. The bonus here is that the instructor will supervise the weld.

There are a number of independents such as Tim and myself. Be patient. Someone here close to you will surface. Do understand that your seat frames have probably been heat treated and any welding will not be as strong as the original.

Can you substitute a mechanical fastener like bolts, screws or rivets?

Go to a local Harbor Freight (or on Craigslist) and pick up a cheap stick or wire-fed welder for <$200 and do it yourself. Practice on some scrap metal. This repair isn't rocket science with exotic materials!

Nothing that I would care to trust my life on would be welded by a muffler shop.

Go to a pro welder for a seat.

The 2001 seats I have in the truck have the seatbelt receiver as part of the seat frame. The seat, when bolted to the unibody, is a structural part of the seat belt system.

if the break is anywhere near the receiver location, have a professional weld it. I still think nice later seats are a better option though.

The break isn't in an area I would deem important to structural safety. Its where the bottom side bolster attaches to the base. Its just an annoyance really, and I can't stomach driving around when something I touch every day is broken. If it was out of sight, perhaps I could put it out of mind. I'm going to pull the upholstry out of the area tonight and go around town tomorrow and find someone to do it.

THEN--- I need to figure out why the vertical adjuster isn't working.

You're in Miami... I got an idea.


Take it by these guy's shop (they are the closest):

http://owlsracing.fau.edu/

They'll have some kids who can weld and a MIG or TIG, tell them you'll donate $20 to their team if they can weld it back together.

And tell them Missouri sent you.

In addition to the machine shop and transportation department at work, I'm in charge of the weld shop.
8 full time welders and 3 contractors, these guys can write their names on a beer can and not leave a ripple.

No welder recommendation
 

I finally got a great exhaust system put together for my 1987 Carrera (3.6L transplant). The headers are hand fabricated S-Car-Go units but have no heater boxes. I would like to have someone weld up some heater boxes. They must look great!!!! I have read similar posts. I am not interested in going to some local Meineke Muffler Shop. I want someone who is familiar with these cars and their unusual exhaust/heater systems. I would consider shipping the headers for the right person.

Thanks mark masotto
Irvine, CA 92603

check my reply in your other thread.