Blowing Holes In 20 Ga Sheet Metal With My Mig

Imagine a butt weld on 20 to 24 gauge metal.

Blowing holes in 20 ga sheet metal with my mig.

Mig welding is the preferred method for most automotive bodywork and since sheet metal is the thinnest of metals a large expensive mig unit is usually not required. If the parts fail to touch each other for even 1 16 inch you have created a hole that invites burn through and a gap that can t absorb the heat. Mig welding sheet metal. I keep blowing through my thin sheet.

The majority of the sheet metal welding i ve done was with a 90 amp 110 volt welder. If your welding wire is too thick it will take more heat to melt the wire than the substrate and can make it even more prone to blowing holes in the panel. Andy gives helpful insights and tips to mig weld thin sheet metal. To avoid rework follow the measure twice cut once rule.

Im replacing quarter panels on my car and have been practicing butt welding on the old panels. The thin metal technique is a non continuous process that is used for thin metal such as car body panels. If it s blowing through quickly then maybe the power is set too high on the welder. That perfect balance between too hot a weld blowing holes and too cold a weld not enough penetration is where you want to be.

Mig welding sheet metal. How often are the holes appearing. The aim with this technique is to melt a bit of metal and then let it cool slightly before melting the next and it s a handy way to avoid blowing holes. If it s after an inch or welding the skip method is good do an inch skip to somewhere that s still cold and weld another inch there.

The mig welder has to be tuned just like a spray gun or your carburetor on you car. Co2 is the cheaper way to go but i learned long ago that c25 which is 25 argon and 75 carbon dioxide produces a cleaner weld. For thinner gauge sheet metal like 18 or 20 gauge we suggest 023 6mm wire in your mig welder. I have been having problems with burning holes through the metal i have tried to weld for a second then stop then weld it works to a point and sometimes i get a nice weld but usually i burn a hole in the metal also i been stitch welding the metal and it is still warping in.

Is the metal on the minor is thinner than the stuff you ve been practicing on. Keep the stick out short stickout of your mig wire is important when welding any type of. You can also try to redesign the part with joints that can. Hot or cold weld.