Which kind of weld for body panels? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

CrashBob1 · 03-31-2007, 10:54 AM

As I was getting out of the body shop business, MIG, TIG type welders were becoming more common in shops. I have acetelyne experience but ZERO experience with the electric welding. I have read and heard that electric/gas welds are hard and difficult to grind and most metal wizzards are using acetelyne welding methods. Anybody care to enlighten me?

Thanks,

Crash

Mike 85 · 03-31-2007, 12:53 PM

It's the fact that most late models metal is SO thin that you attack it with a gas rig and you'll end up with a warped mess or most hobby guys don't have the skills with oxy welding. Mig is quick & easy and your basically tacking,not running any sort of bead,or at least not much of one. TIG is great but not a lot of hobby guys have the knowledge to TIG. Mig with 75/25 Argon/CO makes for a very clean weld and it's almost fool proof once you get the "hang" of using one. Their cheap and readily available,portable and most run on 120V. If you got skills with gas,stick with what you know. Most don't and thats why MIG is so popular.

CrashBob1 · 03-31-2007, 01:44 PM

Mike,
Do you have your own shop?

sevt_chevelle · 03-31-2007, 06:23 PM

Ill echo what Mike said. Most metal guys that do custom metal fab for a living use a TIG. If you can lay down nice gas welds and understand the process, then you will pick up TIG welding really well.

Mike 85 · 03-31-2007, 10:24 PM

I have a shop but I'm no pro. I do HVAC service for a living but I have always been around gofaster's and my "gift" is the ability to do just about anything mechanical. Investment banking is my downfall. Electricty is cool but electronics just suck. I too can gas weld but MIG is just so darn easy. A good friend has a 2 grand Miller TIG at his shop and soon as i get "time" I'm going to learn it. Just not enough hours in the day.

03-31-2007, 10:54 AM	#1
CrashBob1 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Utica, Nebraska Posts: 37	Which kind of weld for body panels? As I was getting out of the body shop business, MIG, TIG type welders were becoming more common in shops. I have acetelyne experience but ZERO experience with the electric welding. I have read and heard that electric/gas welds are hard and difficult to grind and most metal wizzards are using acetelyne welding methods. Anybody care to enlighten me? Thanks, Crash __________________ Just when you think you've made it idiot proof, along comes a better idiot.

03-31-2007, 12:53 PM	#2
Mike 85 Face your fears Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ark. Posts: 883	Re: Which kind of weld for body panels? It's the fact that most late models metal is SO thin that you attack it with a gas rig and you'll end up with a warped mess or most hobby guys don't have the skills with oxy welding. Mig is quick & easy and your basically tacking,not running any sort of bead,or at least not much of one. TIG is great but not a lot of hobby guys have the knowledge to TIG. Mig with 75/25 Argon/CO makes for a very clean weld and it's almost fool proof once you get the "hang" of using one. Their cheap and readily available,portable and most run on 120V. If you got skills with gas,stick with what you know. Most don't and thats why MIG is so popular.

03-31-2007, 01:44 PM	#3
CrashBob1 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Utica, Nebraska Posts: 37	Re: Which kind of weld for body panels? Mike, Do you have your own shop? __________________ Just when you think you've made it idiot proof, along comes a better idiot.

03-31-2007, 06:23 PM	#4
sevt_chevelle Lost amongst the CORN Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Northern Iowa Posts: 1,072	Re: Which kind of weld for body panels? Ill echo what Mike said. Most metal guys that do custom metal fab for a living use a TIG. If you can lay down nice gas welds and understand the process, then you will pick up TIG welding really well. __________________ Currently working on How To Videos and custom metal 70 Chevelle gettin Sliced and Diced Anything But STOCK 70 Chevelle SS455 not a typo its a BUICK BABY 49 and 72 Chevy Trucks restored to original...close to it Drommer Stor....Norwegian for Dream Big http://s969.photobucket.com/albums/a...lle/?start=all https://www.flickr.com/photos/47922830@N03/ Pictures of my work and projects Last edited by sevt_chevelle; 03-31-2007 at 06:25 PM.

03-31-2007, 10:24 PM	#5
Mike 85 Face your fears Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ark. Posts: 883	Re: Which kind of weld for body panels? I have a shop but I'm no pro. I do HVAC service for a living but I have always been around gofaster's and my "gift" is the ability to do just about anything mechanical. Investment banking is my downfall. Electricty is cool but electronics just suck. I too can gas weld but MIG is just so darn easy. A good friend has a 2 grand Miller TIG at his shop and soon as i get "time" I'm going to learn it. Just not enough hours in the day.



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