MIG for sheetmetal use?
#1
04-14-2008
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MIG for sheetmetal use?
My dad and I are beginners in welding sheet metal. We have been using a 175 amp MIG for quite a few years now without any problems for general use for thick plate.
We've recently been needing to do bodywork (patching) and found it very easy to burn through sheet metal with the 175. We are looking at buying another MIG with a lower amperage, like a 125 for use on sheet metal.
Will using a smaller MIG welder help use not burn through the sheet metal so easily? We are looking into this welder:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...ssearch=164615
Thanks!
-Levino
We've recently been needing to do bodywork (patching) and found it very easy to burn through sheet metal with the 175. We are looking at buying another MIG with a lower amperage, like a 125 for use on sheet metal.
Will using a smaller MIG welder help use not burn through the sheet metal so easily? We are looking into this welder:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...ssearch=164615
Thanks!
-Levino
#2
04-14-2008
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#4
04-14-2008
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we have a 220 at work that we use for sheet metal, in fact i shaved my tailgate with it. all i did was put it on pulse, turned the heat way down and mess with the wire speed a lil and it worked fine. only burned through it a couple time when i was first starting, which of course caused it warp a lil, but its all good now
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#7
04-15-2008
Ha ha. I'm already at home.
I know a lot of body people using MIG. It works fine when you learn how to use it -- just like TIG. Me, I wouldn't try to weld body panels, lol -- everything I've done so far is 1/8" or thicker.
TIG has some advantages for sure -- but it's not necessarily superior. It depends on the weldor (operator), not the welder in this case.
I know a lot of body people using MIG. It works fine when you learn how to use it -- just like TIG. Me, I wouldn't try to weld body panels, lol -- everything I've done so far is 1/8" or thicker.
TIG has some advantages for sure -- but it's not necessarily superior. It depends on the weldor (operator), not the welder in this case.
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04-15-2008
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04-15-2008
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#11
04-15-2008
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I filled Flare-holed on the bed of my truck with a MIG. No issues at all. Its all in technique, not just the equipment. Knowledge is the best ' tool '.
For starts, use gas with your mig. Even flux-core wire can lead to welds that have pours in them or don't hold well. I use an Argon/CO2 mix and a SMALL 0.023 wire. The voltage and feed are set very low.
A good CLEAN ground as close as possible to where your working helps just that ' little bit ' more in some cases.
The hardest thing to prevent is NOT burning through, but warping. Use a ' tacking ' type of method. Small beads/puddles to hold it all together then go along and make a series of tacks with spaces in between them. This allows things to cool and not ' warp ' as much.
For starts, use gas with your mig. Even flux-core wire can lead to welds that have pours in them or don't hold well. I use an Argon/CO2 mix and a SMALL 0.023 wire. The voltage and feed are set very low.
A good CLEAN ground as close as possible to where your working helps just that ' little bit ' more in some cases.
The hardest thing to prevent is NOT burning through, but warping. Use a ' tacking ' type of method. Small beads/puddles to hold it all together then go along and make a series of tacks with spaces in between them. This allows things to cool and not ' warp ' as much.
#12
04-15-2008
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I filled Flare-holed on the bed of my truck with a MIG. No issues at all. Its all in technique, not just the equipment. Knowledge is the best ' tool '.
For starts, use gas with your mig. Even flux-core wire can lead to welds that have pours in them or don't hold well. I use an Argon/CO2 mix and a SMALL 0.023 wire. The voltage and feed are set very low.
A good CLEAN ground as close as possible to where your working helps just that ' little bit ' more in some cases.
The hardest thing to prevent is NOT burning through, but warping. Use a ' tacking ' type of method. Small beads/puddles to hold it all together then go along and make a series of tacks with spaces in between them. This allows things to cool and not ' warp ' as much.
For starts, use gas with your mig. Even flux-core wire can lead to welds that have pours in them or don't hold well. I use an Argon/CO2 mix and a SMALL 0.023 wire. The voltage and feed are set very low.
A good CLEAN ground as close as possible to where your working helps just that ' little bit ' more in some cases.
The hardest thing to prevent is NOT burning through, but warping. Use a ' tacking ' type of method. Small beads/puddles to hold it all together then go along and make a series of tacks with spaces in between them. This allows things to cool and not ' warp ' as much.
I use this mix for most common welds with my Millermatic 210
#13
06-01-2008
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most people use migs, i got a miller 140 i use for sheetmetal unless its a butt weld or something where i can get behind and hammer on the weld. a Tigs weld is softer so you can hammer and dolly it and work most of the warpage out but its also easier to warp it up, yea you can control it better but unless youve had experence itll take longer to make a puddle so its all how ever you wanna do it. ive got a lincoln precision tig 185 that i use for that and frame junk. also make sure if your mig welding stich weld instead of trying to pull a constant bead, less heat= less likely to burn through
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06-01-2008
#15
06-21-2008
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#16
06-26-2008
Flux core is dirty
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...62108-edit.jpg
and I'm a beginner. and bondo catches fire easily.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...62108-edit.jpg
and I'm a beginner. and bondo catches fire easily.
#17
06-26-2008
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#19
06-27-2008
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