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Author
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Topic: Welding car sheet metal questions.
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ShawnB
Journeyman Posts: 33
From: Broken Arrow, OK , USA
Registered: Sep 2000
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posted 03-11-2001 03:39 PM
   
I have a MIG welder that I am going to use on my 75 F100. What is the thickness of the sheet metal? What is the best wire to use for this thickness? I have been practicing with .035 flux core wire. It came with the welder, but I do not want to use flux core on my body panels.
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Mustang Man
Gearhead Posts: 298
From: Howe In USA
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 03-11-2001 08:29 PM
Shawn, I don't know the exact thickness of your sheet metal because it does vary.We use .032 wire at the shop for just about everything. Unless your welder is setup to run argon gas you have no choice but to use flux core wire.
Later, Doug
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mellowyellow
Gearhead Posts: 3201
From: So. Fl.
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 03-11-2001 11:13 PM
I think it would be better to convert over to argon and use the .032 wire. Also, practice, practice, practice! FInd some scrap metal and get to know your welder before introducing it to your truck. Good luck.
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Bob Hopkins
Journeyman Posts: 83
From: BRIDGEPORT NJ USA
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 03-13-2001 11:56 AM
Well it's been my experence to disigree with about everthing and everybody CO2 gas is cheaper than ARGON ,and CO2 welds autobody sheet metal,at the most CO2/Argon mix gas.Pluss CO2 inthe bottle is a liuuid and last alot longer than ARGON which is coppressed gas. And I would git the0.023 wire to weld sheet metal,wire and metal to be welded should be about same thickness, pluss less heat to melt 0.023 wire =less heat in the sheat metal to warp.
my$0.02
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66351stang
Gearhead Posts: 622
From: sayville,newyork
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 03-14-2001 07:57 PM
go with .032 wire ,but do it with argon/mix
when welding the panels spot tack with about 1.5 to 3 inches apart. i did both my rear quarts and had no problem,the trick is not to heat the metal so it warps, after you have spoted the panels, then go back and fill in again inbetween the welds. eventualy you will have filled in the gaps, takes time and patience.argon is not expense,plus its a mix, not straight argon.
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ponycar66,have you flown in a ford latley???????
66-COUPE W/351SVO
glad i had a v-8 !!!!!!
84.5 gt350-61 falcon 302
have a great day!!!!!!!!
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wildstang
Journeyman Posts: 43
From: somewhere in Vermont
Registered: May 2000
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posted 03-27-2001 11:58 AM
I agree with Bob Hopkins on using the .023 wire. It will take less heat to melt the wire and you will be less apt to burn through your sheet metal. The most important thing to do is keep your welding surfaces clean.
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Mike65
Gearhead Posts: 1279
From: Columbia,NJ, USA. 65 Fastback, 69 Coupe MCA #-04549
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 03-29-2001 08:53 PM
Bob Hopkins,
Would the .023 wire also work good for doing floors & the trunk floors?. Thanks.------------------
Mike & Robin MCA#-04549
65 Fastback
99 Explorer Sport
96 Ranger
87 Crown Vic
M&M #- 890 [This message has been edited by Mike65 (edited 03-29-2001).]
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Bob Hopkins
Journeyman Posts: 83
From: BRIDGEPORT NJ USA
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 03-30-2001 03:41 PM
0.023 WIRE IS FINE FOR FLOORS ,REMEMBER THE THICKNESS OFWHAT YOUR WELDING,FLOORS ARE NOT THAT MUCH THICKER THAN THE FENDERS/DOORS. fIRST IF YOU CAN GIT SOME GASLESS WIRE { WHY WAIST THE GASS FOR FIRST PRACTICE }AND SOME SCRAP SHEET METAL ANYTHING AS LONG AS ITS CLEAN OF DIRT OIL /PAINT,PRACTISSONTHAT WITH GASLESS WIRE FIND A PLACE YOU CAN SIT DOWN AND THE WORK IS FLAT INFRONT OF YOURUN BEADSUNTILL YOUR SICK OF LOOKING AT IT. THEN PRACTICE WITH OTHER HAND,ALWAYS HELPS TO BE ABLE TO USE THE OTHER HAND,AND RUN A BEAD,MAKE THE LITTLE CCCCCCCCC OOOOOOOOO IN ROWS AS SMALL AS YOU CAN.
WHEN YOU CAN DO THAT WITH BOTH HANDSFIGURE AWAY TO HOLD ACOUPLE SMALL CUT PIECES TOGETHERAND TACK THEM A WITH OF THE WIRE APART RUN SHORT 1" BEADS HOPING FROM END TO END AND IN MIDDLE THEN FILL IN GAPS WITH SHORT 1" BEADS KEEP MOVING AROUND.
WHEN YOU SICK OF THAT DO VERTICLE WELDS STAND THE PIECES WITH CUT LINES UP {ALLWAYS WELD UP NEVER DOWN {F.A.A.} CERTIFICATION} ALSO YOU DO NOT GIT ENOUGH PENERTRATION ON A DOWN WELD, HAD ENOUGH FUN YET DO SOME OVERHEADS HOLD PIECES USE "VICE GRIPS AND A BENCH VISE SOME HOW" AND LAY ONYOUR BACK and practice like your under the car just dont wear any thing you like or flamable.
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 20669
From: Saco, Maine USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 03-30-2001 06:14 PM
Thanks, Bob! It sounds like you weld a lot!  It will take a while for me to get up the cajones to do overhead welds!  ------------------
'72 Mustang Sprint Coupe 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac Loc
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
'97 Probe GTS 2.5L Disposable Commuter
"Keep your driveway all Ford!"
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Bob Hopkins
Journeyman Posts: 83
From: BRIDGEPORT NJ USA
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 04-02-2001 03:44 PM
Over head welding is hard on arms trying to make deacent looking welds,as a 40 year pipe/cigar smoker i'm used to gittins burns under a car. Forever smoking layingon my back and bumping the pipe/cigar on somthing and gitting a beard full of hot ash,And a 72 240Z [260,000 miles] used to be my daily driver you better know how to weld to drive one of those rust buckets. Not a bad car no rust proofing atall would have loved to install a 351W or a 300 I6 with a late 5/speed was afraid the added power would snap it into if it hooked.
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 20669
From: Saco, Maine USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 04-02-2001 04:38 PM
LOL! I'm a pipe/cigar smoker, too, so I hear you there! ------------------
'72 Mustang Sprint Coupe 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac Loc
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
'97 Probe GTS 2.5L Disposable Commuter
"Keep your driveway all Ford!"
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