AuthorTopic: Welding sheet metal gaps  (Read 4755 times)

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miraclepieco

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Welding sheet metal gaps
« on: April 04, 2013, 06:49:40 PM »
Most of you probably already know this little trick...

When butt welding sheet metal with large gaps between the edges (like I have lots of trying to reassemble this '29 sedan that someone crudely cut the top off trying to turn it into a phaeton!) you can prevent blowout by placing a piece of copper behind the gap. The weld won't ;stick to it and it provides a nice backing to prevent blow-through.

To the right of the clamp is one of the typical gaps I'm having to fill, on the left is where I closed it up using a copper backing piece.

Offline lowboy

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Re: Welding sheet metal gaps
« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2013, 07:04:16 PM »
very kool 8) good info 8)
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Offline NitroMidgets

Re: Welding sheet metal gaps
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2013, 07:29:34 AM »
Interesting. Any pics of that tool you made?

Offline Fast450

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Re: Welding sheet metal gaps
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2013, 11:36:48 AM »
Thanks for the tip

miraclepieco

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Re: Welding sheet metal gaps
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2013, 12:13:02 PM »
Interesting. Any pics of that tool you made?

No special tool - it's just a long vice grip holding a square of copper behind the sheet metal.

Offline hotwheels

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Re: Welding sheet metal gaps
« Reply #5 on: April 30, 2013, 12:34:43 PM »
I always keep copper tubing on hand in the shop. I buy a stick of copper that is around 2' in length, and then i flatten the first 3" of the tubing. Any gap, or hole i run across, i hold the copper tubing to the back of the hole and weld away. Copper does the same thing as brass and allows you to fill gaps, or holes.

Great tip on the brass....
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Offline NitroMidgets

Re: Welding sheet metal gaps
« Reply #6 on: April 30, 2013, 02:14:39 PM »
I was hoping you had some sort of home made tool idea for doing sections towards the interior where a C clamp can't reach.

miraclepieco

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Re: Welding sheet metal gaps
« Reply #7 on: April 30, 2013, 11:50:21 PM »
I have a L-O-N-G set of vice grips - 24 inches. They can reach most anywhere.