Hey guys,

I have a 2005 Ranger that has the bed off. Currently I’m removing a layer of scale rust and coating the frame with POR15 paint. There are a couple of little rust holes here and there in the frame, one towards the back that is a little bigger.

The plan is to weld them but as I’m a novice welder, I have a few questions before I start.

Will I this cheapo stick 120 V welder I got from Amazon work ok to patch frame? It should be noted that I don’t have access to 220 so will have to use this in 110 mode: https://a.co/d/7TKU25h

What’s the thinnest gauge steel I can use to patch parts of the frame? What’s the preferred thickness? What’s a good place to source steel for frame patching purposes?

Thanks for any advice!

 

Its not specifically the voltage its the AMPs that set the heat level
120vAC with 30amp circuit can do up to 140 heat amps
240vAC with 50amp circuit can do up to 180 heat amps

Loads of charts on what heat amps you should use based on material thickness
If you are just covering a hole then thin metal is fine
If you want strength then use frame metal thickness, or as close to as your welder can do

 

I think I only have 120 20 amp :/ I will check maybe there’s a 30 in there somewhere like for the washer / dryer (they aren’t 220 unfortunately).

OK, thin metal OK for patching, but how thin is too thin? Should it be straight steel or galvanized? Like what about this 22 guage at Home Depot:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/M-D-Buil...6066/202091749

And what is the average thickness of the frame stock for the 2005 Rangers? What’s a good source for that stock if I find an area that needs more structural repair?

 

Not galvanized for sure, unless you are an experienced welder

22gauge is 1/32" thick

Frame is 1/8" or 11gauge

Google: "scrap steel shops"
In your area they sell scrap steel by the pound, way cheaper and better than buying more than you need, they will usually even cut it to any size you need, but costs extra per cut

 

This is great info, and I appreciate it. Thanks!