How To Weld Auto Body Sheet Metal
Then tack between the two previous tacks.
How to weld auto body sheet metal. To weld sheet metal with solid wires use electrode positive ep or reverse polarity. Place the welding tip wire at the gap and tack weld several small spots spacing them evenly apart. They also generally move around the part so that consecutive welds are not next to each. The best two electrodes for welding auto body sheet metal is either ceriated tungsten or thoriated tungsten.
Don t attempt to weld thin materials like sheet metal with flux cored wires which put more heat into the base metal. Mig is going to be your go to welding type for most auto body repairs. Ditch a 1 8 inch tungsten electrode for something much smaller like 1 16 inch tungsten. Avoid warping the sheet metal.
It can handle a wider range of thicknesses than tig or stick. In this video im showing you the process i use to do small rust repairs where a complete panel. Mcr s method of butt welding sheet metal is to do three or four quick tack welds followed by and air quench. While wire feed welding sheet metal go for short bursts of welding instead of a going on a long bead.
Short bursts or tacks will help you gain more control and adjust easily. Tig welding sheet metal. It uses no flux or filler and is accomplished by applying a concentrated short circuit and strong physical pressure to a small spot on as many as three thicknesses of body metal to be joined. This has been a mainstay of automotive construction since the 1930s.
Here s a few tips on repairing rust holes in car body panels. Resistance or spot welding. For sheet metal i use ine welding wire and it is just as good as their flux cored wire if you want you can grab one here. While replacing body panels overheating and warping thin sheet metal is common.
Try going for a wire of 023 inches when welding sheet metal. Forget the larger 1 8 inch tungsten electrode and use a smaller one.