I was wondering how you get away with not using any filler. I've seen alot of your awesome work and try to use it as a benchmark.I've tried many different ways to weld the patch panels but always end up putting some filler on in the end. No matter how good I fit the panels they always seem to shrink up especially when shaving holes like on the firewall. I generally use the 3" stone to grind the high spots and finish it off with the little 3" discs from 3M. In your pics it kinda looks like your finishing it off with 80. I know there are alot of variables, but was wondering in general what steps you take to avoid using filler. Thanks in advance.

turmoline, I try to get a pretty close fit on the patches. If the patch material doesn't touch the area being filled then maybe just a hair gap between them. I try to tack weld from the middle out. Space the tacks out. Tack the part on with as few tacks as possible at first, but get it to fit good. Once the part fits real good then start tacking it in alternating tacks as far from each other as possible. Go slow as you get your tacks closer together. Let the work cool a little between tacks. When your tacks are 3/8's to 1/2 inch apart, start connecting the tacks still alternating to control the heat. Once it is all welded start to grind down the welds, but just knock down the tops of the welds. Don't try to get the the welds completely flat at first. Work slow at grinding but work over a large area with rapid back and forth motion and very little pressure. Try to "sneek up" on getting the welds flush and don't stay in one place so you don't heat up the metal by grinding. Just work fast but go slow. By this I mean use a lot of motion but take off a little at a time.

I hope this isn't confusing:confused:

Yah. I usually do get impatient when grinding the welds down. After welding and grinding I was looking for the appearance of one pc. of metal and it seems like I wouldn't get good penetration because I could see the seam of the weld open up in spots and I would have to weld them again. Do you finish the metal work off with 80 grit and then fill the 80 scratches with a high build primer?