Question for our metal fabricators!!! - Lateral-g Forums

**DOOM** · #1 01-08-2011, 02:51 PM

I would like to know the ''KEY'' to this type of weld. Is it metal thickness,welder settings, technique,mig ,tig ?????? I have really been struggling with this and I'm at wits end. I have to do some work to my outter wheel wells and I'm not at all happy with the final result. I need to get this dialed in so any pointers would really help. I used Jasons car (WAR) as an example of the type weld I'm struggling with..... My welders are Miller 210 mig Lincoln 110 mig I do have a new Hobart Tig but I have no Idea how to use it yet......

NsaneHotrodz · #2 01-08-2011, 03:09 PM

Fit up is the start, get it lined up perfect! Sheetmetal clamps help alot too. Mig works for me. If you have any questions feel free to call. DeWayne

elitecustombody · #3 01-08-2011, 04:15 PM

Once you have the gas/wire speed/heat setting dialed in and butted panels have small gap,it should come out like you want ,has worked for me. Obviously you will need correct size wire for thick/thin steel

Though there is a noticable difference between machines,you still should be able to manage to get a good weld. I've had a Miller for about 13-15 years of dependable service,it finally gave up and needed some sort of switch ,so I retired it and replaced it with my back up Lincoln welder ,which had better penetration,overall cleaner,smoother welds,but after couple months of use I decided to get Hobart because Lincoln kept acting up,wire kept slipping,getting stuck,I called independent repair shop and the tech told me to buy Miller or Hobart,because they very rarely come in for service,but always fix Lincolns, so I will never buy another Lincoln.

NsaneHotrodz · #4 01-08-2011, 07:09 PM

I use a Miller 210 for almost everything with .030" wire.

MoparCar · #5 01-08-2011, 07:59 PM

I also use a Miller 210. I use .023 wire for sheet metal and .030 for heavier items. Gas for everything. Adjust your gas flow and play around with the heat and wire speeds. The chart on the machine isn't alway nuts on. For plug welds I usually adjust the machine up to the next thicker gauge of metal, so if it's really 20g I'll go 18g etc. I little hotter.

Make sure the area is ground bare and clean it if you need nice welds.

If the gap is too big it is easy to burn through. Like others have said take your time to "fit" the metal and gaps.

Wes

The WidowMaker · #6 01-08-2011, 08:55 PM

Quote:

I also use a Miller 210. I use .023 wire for sheet metal and .030 for heavier items. Gas for everything. Adjust your gas flow and play around with the heat and wire speeds. The chart on the machine isn't alway nuts on. For plug welds I usually adjust the machine up to the next thicker gauge of metal, so if it's really 20g I'll go 18g etc. I little hotter.

same here, except i get lazy and hate changing wire so small sheet metal projects get .030. if i know im doing a lot, i usually change to the .023.

i love my 210, but now wish i would have spent the extra for the 251. there are projects where i need the 2.5 tap which doesnt exist.

bdahlg68 · #7 01-08-2011, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOOM

I would like to know the ''KEY'' to this type of weld. Is it metal thickness,welder settings, technique,mig ,tig ?????? I have really been struggling with this and I'm at wits end. I have to do some work to my outter wheel wells and I'm not at all happy with the final result. I need to get this dialed in so any pointers would really help. I used Jasons car (WAR) as an example of the type weld I'm struggling with..... My welders are Miller 210 mig Lincoln 110 mig I do have a new Hobart Tig but I have no Idea how to use it yet......

This type of welding is driving me nuts too. I have a flux core mig and it just seems to blast through the metal even on a low setting. I gave up for the day and will probably end up replacing the part I was trying to salvage. I figure by the end of the project I'll be a novice sheet metal welder.

One thing that did help a little is making sure I try to keep a shallow angle between the MIG tip and the metal to be welded. If that angle gets too steep, it seems to just blast through the metal. Just an observation on my side but I'm a beginner.

**GregWeld** · #8 01-08-2011, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdahlg68

This type of welding is driving me nuts too. I have a flux core mig and it just seems to blast through the metal even on a low setting. I gave up for the day and will probably end up replacing the part I was trying to salvage. I figure by the end of the project I'll be a novice sheet metal welder.

One thing that did help a little is making sure I try to keep a shallow angle between the MIG tip and the metal to be welded. If that angle gets too steep, it seems to just blast through the metal. Just an observation on my side but I'm a beginner.

Dude! There is only one thing to say here - and it's not meant to hurt your feelings -- but FLUX CORE is for farmers repairing tractors in a field where carting gas out there is too much of a chore. Stop using FLUX CORE to do car repair welding unless you're just welding up a jalopy frame.

bdahlg68 · #9 01-09-2011, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Dude! There is only one thing to say here - and it's not meant to hurt your feelings -- but FLUX CORE is for farmers repairing tractors in a field where carting gas out there is too much of a chore. Stop using FLUX CORE to do car repair welding unless you're just welding up a jalopy frame.

I'm aware and I will stop once able. No worries.

redfire69 · #10 01-09-2011, 10:55 AM

I'm no expert, but flux core can weld fine for beginners. Not all of us can buy all the best tools at one time. You'll find you can weld thinner materials easier when you switch to the bottle.