How To Weld Gaps In Sheet Metal

Here s a little trick i use when i come up against a gap that s a tad to big.

How to weld gaps in sheet metal.

When mig welding a patch panel on your car body panels you should think of leaving small gaps between the patch panel and the original metal. Because it will have you a lot more control over the whole process and it is more forgiving in case you do anything wrong. The best two electrodes for welding auto body sheet metal is either ceriated tungsten or thoriated tungsten. Ditch a 1 8 inch tungsten electrode for something much smaller like 1 16 inch tungsten.

How to mig weld large gaps the right way corners. Tack welds are simply small welds that barely penetrate the metal and aren t pushed or pulled to form a bead. For even thinner materials try a 035 inch filler metal. I keep blowing through my thin sheet.

Tack welding is the best way to hold the metal in place before you fully weld it to the original metal. It doesn t matter as much it it s a bit smaller because if there s a very small gap this can be filled with filler metal. During the welding process the metal will get hot and the gap a welder leaves will compensate for the expansion that occurs. Use short bursts when you weld.

If you have a gap because you drilled a piece incorrectly and need to fill in one of the holes you can do that. Make the replacement metal is not larger than the original metal or it will not fit. Andy gives helpful insights and tips to mig weld thin sheet metal. Working in short bursts will form a bridge between both pieces of metal.

For cv mig welding on sheet metal wire diameters of 035 inch are recommended. My names matt urch and i own and run urchfab welding and fabrication.