Auto body?

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I'm going to start my first auto fixer upper project.   I'm going to have to weld up some body panels to complete the task.  I want to buy a 4X8 sheet of thin gauge metal to practice on so I can prepare to weld on the truck.  I'm planning on cutting up a pile of coupons from the sheet and doing a bunch of butt welds.  I've never mig welded so I need to practice up before I start trying to weld these new panels on.  Anyway what gauge of sheet metal should I get to practice on? The truck is a 1972 F250.  First project is going to be replacing the floor board.ThanksMiller Maxstar 200 strMontgomery Ward 250 AC/DC
Reply:Measure what is already on the truck. Usually it's pretty thin.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:These guys list their repair panels are 19 gauge and up.http://www.mill-truck-body.com/90737...kup-67cab.htmlYou will need to practice plug welds, butt welds and lap welds. On butt welds, I don't go wider than the thickness of the mig wire for the gap.  Fitting needs to be precise.Make your coupons large enough that you have enough of a heat sink to make your practice nearly the same as the real welds.Have fun - love old fords Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Mig welding auto body stuff is a bit different than welding heavier steel. You will want to use .023 solid wire and 75/25 gas most likely. There are other options, but that's the one that's typically used and the most readily available.Lap welds tend to be easier to do than but welds, but the overlap in the back is a place where moisture and crud can collect and restart rust. You can also use a piece of copper to back up your welds and help with heat control. Biggest issue with thin stuff is keeping the heat down, so you don't blow holes in the material or warp the panels. I don't have time this morning to go into a lot of details, but there are quite a few posts on how to weld thin sheet with mig here if you search a bit. One thing I will add however is to practice in position. By this I don't just mean vertical, horizontal and overhead, but also in the physical position you will need to be in to do the repair. This may mean setting up so you are sitting or lying on the floor vs at a bench..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:If you have a local auto scrap yard or a body shop that you deal with just ask for some dented body parts to practice on then you can practice cutting welding and making sure your not warping everything to bad.  If you tell them you will give them back when your done you will probably get the parts for free.You can hang a fender from a saw horse and that way it will be in position for all of the above tasksThis is what I have done for practice.  Usually body parts are stitch welded just a small run then move to another spot so you don't overheat and warp the panel/part
Reply:Take a look at this thread.. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...3534&showall=1MillerMatic 252, HTP 221 w/cooler, Hypertherm PM45, Lincoln IdealArc 250 AC/DC"I'd like to believe as many true things and as few false things as possible"
Reply:Oh yeah MP&C he is one handy metal smith, been watching him for a while, the best trick I leaned was using a cutting wheel to work the body welds... Guy was probably born on a sheet metal bed .........LOLMagazines have issues, everything else has problems