How To Weld 18 Gauge Sheet Metal

A er70s 6 wire would be most ideal for welding mild steel.

How to weld 18 gauge sheet metal.

Say if you are welding an 18 gauge stainless steel sheet that is 2 2 feet in size to repair the side of your tank start by creating a weld that is 1inch long then skip 6 inches and then create a 1 inch long weld. This sheet was 18 gauge. However if you are dealing with materials that are 18 gauge or thicker one should be able to use 030 inch welding wire. For thinner gauge sheet metal like 18 or 20 gauge we suggest 023 6mm wire in your mig welder.

It is recommended that a welder should use 023 or 024 inch wire for light gauge sheet metal work. It s recommended to use a 023 or 024 inch wire for most light gauge sheet metal work. Can the harbor freight hf 125 flux core welder do sheet metal. Tack in a few places apart from each other and wait until the panel is cool to the touch.

If i get a hold of some thinner stuff i ll test. Then tack between the two previous tacks. Holding the tip too far from the surface will cause the wire to have to come out too far to touch the metal. Avoid warping the sheet metal.

As a rule when mig welding sheet metal never use a body filler metal that is thicker than the base metal. I was able to do it. When the material is 18 gauge and thicker you may be able to use a 030 inch wire. While replacing body panels overheating and warping thin sheet metal is common.

Continue the same way along the sides of the piece of sheet metal. Keep the stick out short stickout of your mig wire is important when welding any type of metal but especially sheet metal.