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Welding body panels

  
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Welding body panels

 
1969avon 1969avon
New User | Posts: 7 | Joined: 05/09
Posted: 06/03/09
03:22 PM

I got a flux welder for Xmas and was wondering if I could use it to weld on new body panels (quarters, floors, & trunk)? Is this a decent welder? I have never attempted this before, will be the very first time. Any & all help will be greatly needed & wanted. Where do I start first? The quarters, floors, or tail light panel?  

 
69camaro1 69camaro1
New User | Posts: 33 | Joined: 07/09
Posted: 07/04/09
04:16 PM

When compared to Mig welding, flux core welding is very messy and more time consuming. When welding with flux core the welds have alot of welding slag because of the lack of a sheilding gas that you use with Mig. This means you have to spend extra time by grinding the welds smooth of welding slag. The 75% argon and 25% carbon dioxide gas that is used with Mig keeps the welding concentrated and thus almost eliminates welding slag. Start with the floor boards then tail light panel then quarters. I highly recommend buying a plasma cutter. You might think they are too expensive, but they make cutting out old panels or frames much easier and cleaner than a diegrinder or torch. I recommend a Parker plasma tec 40 plasma cutter. It is made in China so it is around only $500 shipped. I got mine off of ebay but you can also go to their website. I don't think I could have restored my 69' without it. Feel free to ask if you have more questions.  

 
waynep712 waynep712
Enthusiast | Posts: 264 | Joined: 01/08
Posted: 07/04/09
06:48 PM

before you start... you might want to make get some sheet metal from a hardware store of the same thickness as the sheet metal you are going to be welding ..  or get a sheet metal shop to cut you up some scrap into little rectangles..

harbor freight and others have hand hole punches like this..
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=44060

you can make holes easy and fast in the samples for welding the samples together..  then try to tear them apart... when you get good enough that you cannot tear them apart.. without ripping the metal out around the weld... then you can start welding on car bodys...

you also want to make sure that you are plugged in as close to the fuse box as you can easily get... if you have to ... buy as short a 10 gauge extension cord as you can get...   long thin cords will make your welding life horrible..

i have even built 120 volt extensions  that plug into 4 pole  electric dryer wall outlets for welding...  ask someone who understands.. i don't want to post it...  only an option if the work area was equipped for a dryer.. or 220 volt water heater...

many flux core wire welders have available kits to retro fit for gas shielding...

there are some articles on the various magazines here

http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/techarticles/mopp_0712_welding_at_home/index.html

http://www.stockcarracing.com/techarticles/82101_welding_basics/index.html

and a bunch more

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/sch/02/welding-sheet-metal/articles/page2.html?SearchSource=Group  

 

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