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Thickness of floor panels
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 12:05 pm
by moggyvirgin
Hi guys,
I've just bought a mig welder and I need to know what thickness the floor panels are so I can set it up right. I haven't got the gauge tool required to get an accurate measurement so I've used a tape measure which with my eyesight isn't a good idea.
I haven't welded before so there's plenty of practising ahead.
Re: Thickness of floor panels
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 12:27 pm
by kevin s
I used 1.25 mm steel for ours which seemed a little thicker than the original which I would estimate was around 1mm.
Re: Thickness of floor panels
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 12:35 pm
by amgrave
Is it a gas or gas-less type of MIG welder. If it's a gas one you need Argon Co2 gas mix for best results welding thin steel. As above I think the steel is 1mm or just under and most people I know have used 1mm steel plate for repairs. Hope this helps, best of luck with your practice.
Re: Thickness of floor panels
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 1:18 pm
by les
I think you'll find it no more than 18 swg
Re: Thickness of floor panels
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 1:30 pm
by moggyvirgin
Thanks guys for your quick replies. It's a gas/gasless mig welder but I'm going to be using it as a gas one and I've already got the co2/argon mix but thanks for the tip anyway.
Re: Thickness of floor panels
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 10:22 pm
by kevin s
My tips for welding ( many years of learning how not to do it!)
-Cleanliness is critical for a really clean weld, take the time to clean all paint and rust off, remember to do both sides of both pieces.
-Its often easier and neater to cut larger areas out and replace rather than fix several local areas of rust.
-Tack repair sections in first starting every couple of inches then closing up to approx every half inch before filling the gaps in.
- after welding make sure you paint or at least wax both sides of the weld, the area either side of the welded area will corrode very quickly.
Kevin
Re: Thickness of floor panels
Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2015 8:25 am
by moggyvirgin
Thanks Kevin, I will take all that onboard and probably come back with more questions when I start practising.
Re: Thickness of floor panels
Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2015 1:14 pm
by Johnny
Hi there, just wondered what welder you bought. I need to get one myself and want a gas/gasless one to replace most of the car!
Thanks,
John
Re: Thickness of floor panels
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2015 9:18 am
by moggyvirgin
Hi John,
I bought a Clarke Mig 151EN Turbo from Machine Mart for £252
Steve
Re: Thickness of floor panels
Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2015 9:12 am
by Johnny
Great, thanks for the info, how is it going with the welder, are you finding it easy to use?