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Welding in patch, WTF am I doing wrong?

"silverblueBP" said:
Maybe he's saying that not EVERYONE is a master welder like yourself.
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Sheut. I'm not a master welder. See -I didn't even know to not use AL as a backer! Not that I ever really need to use a backer though. But if I did - I would have used my piece of AL.
 
"70_Fastback" said:
Really?? I have never heard that.

Do you have any more insight on what is being contaminted & how? I will google it later when I get more time.

But for sheet metal patching, I don't think I would worry too much about either.

And a backer is, or should only be, very rarily required. Say.... if you cut too much, etc. LoL.
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The weld is being contaminated. If you don't think it matters for sheet metal patching, why not just glue it together?

Backers are required more often than you think.

Robert
 
I think I would just replace the whole panel considering the amount of pitting in the panel. However if you are going to continue with the patch, I think it would be easier to remove the patch and add another couple inches back to the patch while out of the car, then re-fit it with tighter gaps. Be sure your ground clamp is connected to clean metal.

Where you aim your electrode also has a lot to do with the blow through since the thinner metal can't take as much heat as the thicker metal can. When you aim your wire, favor the cleaner / thicker metal to start the puddle, and then drift it towards the thinner metal.

For copper backing, plumbing pipe smashed flat works well too... very easy to form odd shapes to fit what ever contour you need, and if you leave one end open, it's easy to jam a wooden dowel in to serve as a handle.
 
Brass plating is another good material for backing. I've even used a penny in a pinch!
 
Tomorrow, Red or Shag is bringing over some welding supplies and words of encouragement to our Abester. Maybe I'll go as well.
 
"cmayna" said:
Tomorrow, Red or Shag is bringing over some welding supplies and words of encouragement to our Abester. Maybe I'll go as well.
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Send them both, and you just stay home.
 
I'm a self taught welder and I've never used a backer, pulse your trigger and you won't need to back up your work. On top of all the other advice you've gotten, I would try holding the torch closer. It looks as though you might be holding it too far from your metal, and puddling. I would also try pulsing the trigger when you see a molten puddle. You just need to practice and you will start to know when the metal is too hot and makes the hole bigger. Pulsing allows the metal to cool so that you don't burn holes in your weld area.
 
Thank you everyone for all your great advice. I'm excited to try and apply all the info tomorrow as best I can. I will keep you all posted.

Thanks Craig for taking the time to come over and give me a hand. Your a great example of what I would like to do for the hobby once I can get more (good) experience that I hope to be able to share with someone in my shoes in the future.
 
Abe , you did make some mistakes .... that every beginner does .
So listen and TRY what they all say, like spot welding ,using copper a backing ect ect.
But you need to practice alot on scrap metal before you do this on your own car.
Thats all I want to say.
You are doing great by trying it and you don't hasitate to ask people.
Keep it going.
Your welding skills will improve by DOING it.
B.
 
"B67FSTB" said:
Abe , you did make some mistakes .... that every beginner does .
So listen and TRY what they all say, like spot welding ,using copper a backing ect ect.
But you need to practice alot on scrap metal before you do this on your own car.
Thats all I want to say.
You are doing great by trying it and you don't hasitate to ask people.
Keep it going.
Your welding skills will improve by DOING it.
B.
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I couldn't agree more! Practice, practice, practice. For me, when I started welding, the hardest part was learning what a good weld looked like - fortunately I had people around to help me out with that. So practice and get an educated opinion once and awhile. Good luck!

Oh, and Carbon Arc Air rods make great backers too!

Robert
 
Thanks again everyone for all the great tips.

Craig came by yesterday and brought me some life saving tools of the welding world.

The first was a really amazing attachment for my Dewalt angle grinder that allows me to attach the second item(s) of abrasive paper to grind down my welds.

The third life altering surprise was the HTP America Inc. "Welcome to the World of MIG Welding". Great video, it really helped me understand the basics of MIG welding and the different methods one can use to achieve great results.


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On another note, Craig and I reviewed the front RS battery apron patch situation and the metal around the patch is just way too thin and it is going to just keep melting away.

I went over to Tony at RPS after Craig departed with Red and I ordered another Scott Drake repro. It should be arriving mid next week with his Scott Drake order.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
+1 practice, practice, practice.

Abe, If you are infact going to replace the battery apron, you might as well attach your wire wheel to Mr. DeWalt and start cleaning the surface where all the spot welds are in preparation to do some serious spot weld drilling. Do you have spot weld drill bits and cutting oil? Sloowwww speed.

We'll talk later today. What? a beer for each of my opinions? Wow, I'll be snockered in record breaking time. :thu
 
"Dennis Harrelson" said:
Maybe you could practise in the meantime by trying to put the patch back into the repro panel you took it out of. :)
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Good idea !! so Abe , you know what to do beside going to get some beer for Craig.
 
"stangg" said:
Where you aim your electrode also has a lot to do with the blow through since the thinner metal can't take as much heat as the thicker metal can. When you aim your wire, favor the cleaner / thicker metal to start the puddle, and then drift it towards the thinner metal.
Click to expand...

+1, exactly what I was going to say.
 
"70_Fastback" said:
Sheut. I'm not a master welder. See -I didn't even know to not use AL as a backer! Not that I ever really need to use a backer though. But if I did - I would have used my piece of AL.
Click to expand...

I do have and use a copper backer when required, and as much as we have established that AL is not a good backer due to contamination, I felt the need to share this bit of info when I came across it.

After having watched this tip I would probably be using a AL backer if I didn't have all you folks here at the fix.

http://www.staceydavid.com/toolbox.php?sponsor=9
 
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