Oxy/fuel welding different gauges

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Hi guys- I've got a Henrob, but I don't think that matters too much in this instance.What I'm trying to do is weld what looks like .22 gauge from the Mfr, to .20 gauge panels that I've made- (I asked about thicknesses and was told by many to get .18 or .20 gauge, but I've since learned that most of these guys weld older, thicker hot rods together, and the newer GM cars have pretty thin skin) So, I've got these carefully crafted panels to put on, and the GM sheet metal gets pretty holed up in a hurry when I try to weld them together. So- Can I use copper backing strips to soak some of the heat on the thinner stuff to even out the heating rate? Any thoughts?I've been melting wig wire over the seam and going back to try to melt it into the gap, but it's ugly as heck, but it doesn't blow through, it's just a lumpy, ugly mess, and it makes me sick to look at it. It may be my only consistent option, though.
Reply:Ahhh I dont know where to start. even 22 gauge is simple with the torch. Have you tried doing a sample butt weld in a couple coupons of the same material? Have you welded before? any pictures? What tip size are you using?
Reply:Originally Posted by makoman1860Ahhh I dont know where to start. even 22 gauge is simple with the torch. Have you tried doing a sample butt weld in a couple coupons of the same material? Have you welded before? any pictures? What tip size are you using?
Reply:The way that the worlds' greatest welding instructor taught to gas weld, setting the torch -turn on fully the ox&acet  valves on torch, then set the flame to a nice quiet SOFT flame (with the regulators ).THAT way, you don't tend to oxidize your metal. I would have been happy, if I were 1/10 as good as he was. And I AM a good welder (retired)[SIZE="5"Yardbird"