Welding sheet metal

[taco4x4rar]

Anyone have any experience welding sheet metal? I'm seriously considering bobbing the ass end of the tacoma this weekend since I'm going to be building a new high clearance bumper for it. Any one have any tips or advice other than just tack tack tack and spread the heat out? I'm going to be using flux core as I don't have any gas nor a tank/reg. so it will likely be a little messy till I get it all smoothed down.

 

[jdmcq]

Never done it with flux core, but I think that you may find it much easier if you got a tank and regulator and did it with the gas.. My only advice is practice. It's pretty easy to burn through.

 

[Silverback]

Well I just did my rear wheelwells with flux core. I'd highly suggest getting some gas so you can turn the amps down.

 

[yotarob]

Very easy to burn thru, you want the heat as low as possible and would defiantly be better off using gas instead of flux core. Maybe you could get some scrapes & practice before you start burning hole in your truck. Another tip I learned (once it was too late) is to cut your sheet metal with an air saw with a fine tooth metal jig saw blade instead of a grinder & cut off wheel. The grinder creates a ton more heat on the edges & id harder to cut a strait line.

 

[yotarob]

Also for prep work, My dad gave me this tool for an air hammer. It allows you to hammer a seam into your sheet metal so they can overlap by a 1/2" or so, much easier than strait but welding the seams.

 

[taco4x4rar]

Also for prep work, My dad gave me this tool for an air hammer. It allows you to hammer a seam into your sheet metal so they can overlap by a 1/2" or so, much easier than strait but welding the seams.

That is sanzzy what is it called and where do I buy one? I'm not sure how much use it would be as the way I've seen to put the two ends back together you need to match up along the cuts as close as you can for a decent fitment. As for using gas that isn't an option as i've got no bottle and not enough money left to buy one and fill it.

 

[taco4x4rar]

The way I look at is if I fuck it up, oh well the bed is already fuck up anyways at least now it won't drag all over shit.

 

[yotarob]

Unless you are dead set on doing it this weekend, you could always wait until next month & we could use my welder & the crimping tool.

 

[yotarob]

That is sanzzy what is it called and where do I buy one? I'm not sure how much use it would be as the way I've seen to put the two ends back together you need to match up along the cuts as close as you can for a decent fitment. As for using gas that isn't an option as i've got no bottle and not enough money left to buy one and fill it.

Dad made it several years ago, he told me recently that he hasn't seen one in years.

 

[taco4x4rar]

Unless you are dead set on doing it this weekend, you could always wait until next month & we could use my welder & the crimping tool.

I'll give it a shot with the flux core, however I think I am going to need to bump down to a smaller wire than .03 maybe like .027 or .025. I'll have some sheet metal to practice on as I'll have the pieces from the highclearance cut off regardless. Who knows the way shits just been falling in my lap lately I may even find a tank and regulator for like 10 bucks or something.

 

[Silverback]

Thats really awesome that your dad made one Rob!

I knew I'd seen something similar somewhere else though.
http://www.tooltopia.com/tool-aid-91625.aspx

 

[Silverback]

All in one tool
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-punch-flange-tool-1110.html

 

[yotarob]

Thats really awesome that your dad made one Rob!

I knew I'd seen something similar somewhere else though.
http://www.tooltopia.com/tool-aid-91625.aspx

Man I am going to have to find a way to add a handle like that one has to his

 

[murphyz]

Man I am going to have to find a way to add a handle like that one has to his

weld a screwdriver to it like that guy did...