butt fit butt welded marker lamp install....

[Fat Mike]

Looks outstanding. Hope you can possibly take a picture of the backside. (behind it in the fender wheel to see the pentration). What gauge of metal is that?

[greystoke]

very neat and clean, I'm sure that really helps with the finishing process. Great job Earl

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by ebfabman

No gap needed for penetration. We are welding sheetmetal. Try this, run a small short tack on a piece of scrap. Turn it over and look at it. Did the weld penetrate? How much penetration do you need on thin sheetmetal body panels?

Please don't take me to try to be a smart azz, I don't want to come across that way. I see a lot of guys sort of being lead by by what they're told or what they read and not putting the thought and time in on really how they can improve.
If you read the description of what those little panel camps do, they always say "so and so" gap for good penetration.....well if there is gap and you're filling that gap with weld, you aren't "penetrating" right? I mean, yes you will need some "penetration" to fuse the material together but worry about penetration when you are welding structural stuff and don't worry so much about what it looks like.
Lets stay focused on sheetmetal. I think you should strive for "appearance" as well as a good solid joint. I feel like if you try to concentrate on keeping your work very neat and clean it also helps to control the movement of the panels as you weld. Remember that when you weld the heat expands things, when it cools it contracts but the contraction is more than the expansion. So if there is a gap, you weld across it, with the contraction won't the gap get smaller? If we are concerned with appearance then we will have to deal with the shrinking gap.

Anyway, I'm no expert. I don't even know any metallurgy guys. I do what works for me. I worry about what things look like as well as how they perform. I want to be the best I can be, so I don't care so much what others say. I will continue to refine my skill so that my goals are meant then set new ones.

Please keep practicing and keep trying different things. Set goals. Always work toward getting better and don't compromise.

I am here if any of you need help, but just remember I can only tell you what works for me.

Again, thanks for looking. I will be putting more pics on here as I get things done.....eb

Good info and well said. I'm one of those that was taught to leave a gap the thickness of the metal. At times that doesn't always happen. Being in the collision repair for about 15 years, I haven't taken much time to learn metal finishing. I play with it at times, but the insurance companies just want the work pumped out. My skills are better than most, but I definately have a ways to go to reach your caliber. Keep up the awesome work. I'll be paying more attention to your post.

[ebfabman]

Here is what it looks like when its ground down. I have to move some things out of the way to get inside shots but I will get some.

[ebfabman]

sorry here.

[my67chevytruck]

nice work Earl

[67cheby]

beautiful work

[Fat Mike]

You are definetly one of the best patch panel men around that I have seen. Your attention to detail is outstanding!

[primrrd]

eb, this is beautiful stuff.
I aspire to your caliber of work, but am only OK with a welder, excellent with a grinder and hurry up and put a skim coat on it....(:
**
On your hobart are you gas shielded?
What are your thoughts on flux core wire welders. I've never used one!
Are they:
- ok, just not as good as a gas shielded welder,
- or are they run away and never look back?
In a fit of desperation I sold my beautiful miller 240 mig years ago and now need another welder.

[ebfabman]

The mig I use here is a lincoln with a mix shield gas of CO2/argon. I would not try to use flux core wire. The miller would be a good welder. Skim coats are not bad but there are instances where its not needed. I like to make repairs where there is no filler if possible.

[lakeroadster]

We are not worthy! I love this thread.

[kev2809]

amazing, could never guess there was metal work done there. how much time does it usually take to completely tack around that area? i feel like i rush mine too much which is causing a little warpage

[Dieselwrencher]

Very nice work as always Earl! You definitely have this down pat!

[denny5625]

Great work. The best I've seen.

[bad6772]

awesome Job

[ebfabman]

Thanks guys. Always trying to get better. Not able to do as much bodywork as I'd like because the shop I've been building for the last year needs finished before the winter weather starts. Looking forward to getting to the point where I can really concentrate on metalworking as much as possible. I very much appreciate smitty letting work on his burb, it will be straight and solid.

[gcburdic]

Come on Earl....get that building insulated....must have more metal work seminars!!!

[71gmcburb]

man you do beautiful work! if i get 1/3 as good as you I'd be happy gonna have to try that butt welding trick out

[ebfabman]

trying to get the shop insulated now......its ccccold outside........

[craazy22]

man earl... just read the thread and all i can say is WOW.... wish i was near your hometown to help insulate and get on with the metalwork...lol

[gcburdic]

Originally Posted by ebfabman

trying to get the shop insulated now......its ccccold outside........

You said you were gonna do that months ago...come on Earl!!!

[onequickchevy]

All I can say is WOW! You are truly a craftsman, and I can honestly say that I learned alot just by seeing you technique. Thank you for sharing you knowledge with all of us.

[swamp rat]

>>>You said you were gonna do that months ago...come on Earl!!! <<<


Now come on there, don't try to distract Earl from getting out the christmas orders he's recived for his metal repair CD.

[skoffice]

WOW. This is inspirational. Now I feel like I have let my truck down with my horrible sheet metal work BEAUTIFUL!!!

[ebfabman]

^^^ha ha ha........hey its just sheetmetal.....you can always hack it off and melt some more on