? about welding

[stangman16]

I just got a welder and I'm needing to find some scrap metal to practice on, before tearing up the '66. Does anyone know what gauge the sheetmetal is for the cowl vents, and quarter panels?

Other than going to the local pick 'n pull, would a hardware store have the gauge metal I need to practice with?

thanks!

 

[BlackGMC]

I think all the metal your talking about is 18 gauge. The hardware store might have it but it will cost, it would be cheaper to find a metal distributor around you.

 

[351w_swap]

Get something more like 12 or 14 ga to practice on first, welding is not very easy and learning to weld on thin stuff is even harder.

 

[danny clemens]

I think the metal in a lot of cars is about .031". Maybe you can go to a bodyshop and they might have some wrecked panels that they would give you. Maybe some metal out of some scrap appliances.

 

[mtaqua]

i went to body shop and the owner let me go through his scraps. i'd try that prior to buying any metal. only problem is it will be thinner than the old metal. i would think it will be harder to weld new car metal as it seems to be much thinner.

 

[xoxbxfx]

I would use 18-20ga steel. Make sure you dont get galvanized steel. When welding anything like that, just do lots of tacks..never weld a full bead on a bodypanel

 

[RUSTYNUT]

You should try a local u-pull - it and get some cheap body parts. one foender can give lots of practice.

 

[mustangdave]

Depending on the quarter panel vendor, replacements are only 19 to 21 gauge. You will need to use shielding gas. Same for cowl panels.

 

[BlackGMC]

Since you will be welding the thin stuff, get some .025 wire, and some gas. That will make it easier.

 

[10secgoal]

You can also go to your local welding store and find a gel you can put the metal that keeps it from warping. It stops the heat from spreading.

 

[Soaring1]

metal

Go to a computer store and see if they will give you the old hulls from the old puters that were traded in. That metal on the outside of the computers will give you a good feel for welding thin metal without burning through.