Sheet Metal Arc Welding

An electric current in the form of either alternating current or direct current from a welding power supply is used to form an electric arc.

Sheet metal arc welding.

A good heat setting for 1 8 6011 rods on thin material is about 80 90 amps. Stainless steel or 24 ga. Now you know the secret of arc welding thin metal sheets. Always travel in a straight line and use the fastest travel speed possible that maintains a good bead profile.

Just grab a piece of sheet metal to get the heat set correctly and go to town. So for instance you can work on 18 ga. How to weld thin gauge steel similar to car body panel down to 8mm or 1 32 of an inch thick with arc or stick welder. Air products welder s handbook arc welding arc welding processes fabrications involving sheet metal plate or pipes are commonly welded by an arc process.

Welding instructor mark prosser co author of full bore welding walks arc magazine readers through the steps to repair a hole in thin gauge steel. Gas metal arc welding gmaw is a very effective method in joining together thinner materials. For 3 32 7018 s it s about the same. When mig welding sheet metal it is important to set the proper parameters to prevent warping and burn through or else it will create excess heat and easily blowholes on the metal.

The more time the arc is in an area the hotter it becomes. Everyone is different but those settings will get you in the right ballpark to weld sheet metal. Two of the most important processes use a gas shield to protect the weld metal from atmospheric contamination. I would compare it to performing plastic surgery with butcher knives.

Techniques for welding sheet metal to prevent burn through and warping don t whip or weave the torch. Yes arc welding sheet metal is difficult tedious and probably a bit insane but it is feasible. Every surgeon can operate a scalpel but only a few could work with any tool.