How To Weld 18 Ga Sheet Metal

I am wanting to start to weld on body panels for auto body butt weld would be it.

How to weld 18 ga sheet metal.

To weld mild steel choose an american welding society classification wire such as er70s 6 which has a weld puddle that wets out nicely. Then tack between the two previous tacks. Limit your heat input. It is recommended that a welder should use 023 or 024 inch wire for light gauge sheet metal work.

Avoid warping the sheet metal. Can the harbor freight hf 125 flux core welder do sheet metal. For 3 32 7018 s it s about the same. For thinner gauge sheet metal like 18 or 20 gauge we suggest 023 6mm wire in your mig 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. Use thin wire one big mistake we see with beginners is using welding wire that is too thick for the metal they re welding. I was able to do it. Continue the same way along the sides of the piece of sheet metal.

Tack in a few places apart from each other and wait until the panel is cool to the touch. Then use short stitch welds to grow the tacks. Short stitches around the periphery. Everyone is different but those settings will get you in the right ballpark to weld sheet metal.

Keep the stick out short stickout of your mig wire is important when welding any type of metal but especially sheet. Place the welding tip wire at the gap and tack weld several small spots spacing them evenly apart. A good heat setting for 1 8 6011 rods on thin material is about 80 90 amps. Just grab a piece of sheet metal to get the heat set correctly and go to town.

Right now i am welding on 1 8th mild steel with a 3 32 gas lens and 3 32 collet and i am getting fair results and starting to really like this diversion 180. 18 gauge sheetmetal panel thank you for the quick response. That is tack in all spots to hold things in place. This sheet was 18 gauge.

It s recommended to use a 023 or 024 inch wire for most light gauge sheet metal work. If i get a hold of some thinner stuff i ll test. Weld a short stitch then beat on the weld backed with dolly while it cools to keep from shrinking. 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.

If you are using oa hammer welding is best. While replacing body panels overheating and warping thin sheet metal is common. First tack your entire welded area.