How To Mig Weld Sheet Metal Holes

Keep in mind during the welding process it is important to direct the arc right at the center of the weld puddle and don t do movements like whipping or weaving as it may cause warping and burn through quickly.

How to mig weld sheet metal holes. Mig welding uses an arc of electricity to create a short circuit between a continuously fed anode the wire fed welding gun and a cathode the metal being welded. However if you are dealing with materials that are 18 gauge or thicker one should be able to use 030 inch welding wire. This may be due to burning through the thin sheet metal welding molding holes fabrication or other reasons needed. To weld sheet metal with solid wires use electrode positive ep or reverse polarity.

My friend pete shows us the proper way to weld up small holes using a mig welder. Regardless of the reason you will have holes that need welded shut. As a rule when mig welding sheet metal never use a body filler metal that is thicker than the base metal. The heat produced by the short circuit along with a non reactive hence inert gas locally melts the metal and allows them to mix together.

For years i ve triggered the mig welder to weld the hole shut. Tig welding is the way forward for metal under 0 6mm and a mig welder with decent power and wire control is needed for anything less than 0 8mm. To obtain the best results while mig welding sheet metal proper fitment and cleanliness of the metal are essential. Tig welding sheet metal.

After cutting and fitting the new panel you are now ready to weld the patch panel in place. However i have discovered a much easier method for doing this. This will save burning holes in a panel and then having to try and fill or repair the damage you created. If you are welding a large panel then the expansion of the metal during.

Learn how to mig weld automotive sheet metal in about 5 minutes or less. It takes practice to get it right but once you learn how to do it it becom. With these materials use a tri mix gas 90 helium 8 argon and 2 co2. The backside of the patch should be sprayed with etching to prevent rusting.

I keep it short and to the point in this welding instructional video and show how ve. Don t attempt to weld thin materials like sheet metal with flux cored wires which put more heat into the base metal. It is recommended that a welder should use 023 or 024 inch wire for light gauge sheet metal work. Short quick welds when welding sheet metal with a mig welder you do not want to try and run one long bead like when you re welding heavier metal.

Sheet metal warps easily and also can burn through easily.