expanded metal

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any suggestions for welding expanded metal?  I made some ramps for my trailer and used expanded metal for the treads.  I tried stick and O/A and, if I got the angle hot enough, i burned the expanded metal.  I finally made it work but it looks unsightly.
Reply:Welding dissimalar metals is hard.  With expanded, you can usually make it fit something like [---------]. In a channel, it may move a little bit, but it makes th edges look nice and smooth.Owner of Welding Wiki,The free wiki based resource for weldor's around the world.http://www.weldingwiki.comWe have cookies!
Reply:WillieBMake sure the  expanded metal is clamped to the angle, don't try to bridge gaps.   Weld only the thickest parts of expanded metal (where two pieces of wire come together).  If you are burning up the expanded metal, then with stick welding adjust the heat down and/or start welding farther away on the angle then move the puddle to the expanded metal.  It is important to get the puddle on the angle, first.  Take your time, if you feel hurried, then your hear is too high or your starting too close to the expanded metal.  This a great repair opportunity, I used to look for anybody pulling a trailer, especially landscapers and grasscutters.  I used to repair a lot trailers where the expanded was either broken or pulled away from the angle. The wheels of lawnmowers or tractor cause the expanded metal to flex, causing stretching and eventually failure of the expanded metal.  This occurs on the ramps and on the especially on the back edge of the trailer.    Hence, if using expanded metal for trailers and ramps then add intermediate supports to lessen flex of the metal.Last edited by tapwelder; 11-26-2005 at 10:24 AM.
Reply:If you are burning up the expanded metal, then with stick welding adjust the heat down and/or start welding farther away on the angle then move the puddle to the expanded metal. It is important to get the puddle on the angle, first. Take your time, if you feel hurried, then your hear is too high or your starting too close to the expanded metal.
Reply:I use MIG and do little spot welds where the expanded metal is the thickest.  I also start the arc on the angle and then move it over to the expanded metal.-Heath
Reply:I use TIG. Putting the elctrode into the cup until it is slightly less than flush, I hit the area to be attached and it spot welds the two pieces together. Gotta play alittlle with the amperage, but once it's all set, its go, go, go.
Reply:Tap Welder is absolutely right. And have an experienced welder show you, it will only take a few minutes to learn