Sheetmetal MIG Question

admin

Hello all,I have been doing some MIG welding on sheetmetal for body panel repairs on the Jeep I am building for my son. The problem I am having is that I keep buring through. Is my current too high, or am I not moving the gun fast enough, or a little of both? If it matters, I am using a PM215 and following the settings on the inside door for the gauge metal I am using.Thanks,Mike
Reply:Are you trying to do a continuous weld on the sheet metal?If you are, you'll want to use a "trigger" weld. In other words, pulse the trigger manually (basically making a bunch of tack welds in a row).If you're already pulsing, then you probably have the settings a little hot.http://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:is it a gas machine? ....or a fluxcore? ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Thanks ZT,I will give that a try. Mike
Reply:Zap,I am using the Lincoln PowerMIG 215 with 75/25 gas.
Reply:i see..overlapping welds or butted?...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Just to add to what TZFAB has already said, mig on body metal is more for appearance than for something structurally strong. 4 inches of good mig bead, well spaced will hold a quarter panel on. The thing with body work is to seal the seam and keep the warpage to a minimum. Weld 1/2 inch beads every 6" or so, then let the panel cool...then weld between the welds you made about 1/2" long then let cool...the whole purpose of this is to weld the panel solid yet keep minimal heat into the panel to control warpage. Speed isn't the objective, minimal warpage is. Keep welding the panel in this fashion till all the seam is welded then grind it the same way. Grind your welds flush but keep spacing and warpage in mind. When grinding body panels your welds should never turn blue from heat.If you are burning thru the panel you are probably running too hot. Turn the amperage down and adjust the wire speed till you get a nice "sizzling" sound out of it. if you are getting warpage or are burning thru just keep adjusting the amperage down and get the sizzle till you are not burning thru and not getting warpage.Patience when welding panels on makes the whole job work well. I would suggest you start in the 60-70 amp range and go from there, adjust your wire speed to suit the given amperage. Keep most of your weld on the main panel and let it "flow" over to the edge from your patch.Always remember that if you try to weld an edge it will work much better to stay on the thicker or more solid piece than to run your arc/pool from the smaller piece to the main one.Hope this helped and happy mig'n Last edited by teknition; 08-05-2006 at 08:25 PM.
Reply:Zap,They are butt joints. Tek,Thanks for the great information. I will try and put all of these recommendations into practice.Thanks,Mike
Reply:Originally Posted by WannabeZap,They are butt joints. Tek,Thanks for the great information. I will try and put all of these recommendations into practice.Thanks,Mike
Reply:Never thought of using a lap joint and some filler. Obviously that would make life much easier.Gonna have to give that a try next time.Mike
Reply:Another thing to watch out for when butt-welding is buckling from too much heat (as tek was warning you against)Too much welding at one time can cause the panels to buckle and then you're up sh@t creek without a paddle.http://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:You can always try a backing strip to help out the joint. It can be a pain, I know. I was welding some 22ga today and had to pulse and still was fighting blowthrough. Good thing I was playing.
Reply:what size wire are you running?  try using .023 or .030 on the thin stuff to make it easier but then again I know a guy that could stick weld body panels on.Last edited by weldingman24; 08-06-2006 at 06:19 AM.