How To Weld 18 Gauge Sheet Metal

However if you are dealing with materials that are 18 gauge or thicker one should be able to use 030 inch welding wire.

How to weld 18 gauge sheet metal. Say if you are welding an 18 gauge stainless steel sheet that is 2 2 feet in size to repair the side of your tank start by creating a weld that is 1inch long then skip 6 inches and then create a 1 inch long weld. This sheet was 18 gauge. I was able to do it. To weld mild steel choose an american welding society classification wire such as er70s 6 which has a weld puddle that wets out nicely.

Keep the stick out short stickout of your mig wire is important when welding any type of metal but especially sheet metal. For thinner gauge sheet metal like 18 or 20 gauge we suggest 023 6mm wire in your mig welder. As a rule when mig welding sheet metal never use a body filler metal that is thicker than the base metal. Then tack between the two previous tacks.

Continue the same way along the sides of the piece of sheet metal. Most of the light gauge sheet metal work will require the use of 023 or 24 inch while if you have a sheet metal having a gauge of more than 18 gauge then a 030 inch wire would be the most ideal. Holding the tip too far from the surface will cause the wire to have to come out too far to touch the metal. Avoid warping the sheet metal.

While replacing body panels overheating and warping thin sheet metal is common. When the material is 18 gauge and thicker you may be able to use a 030 inch wire. If i get a hold of some thinner stuff i ll test. Place the welding tip wire at the gap and tack weld several small spots spacing them evenly apart.

Tack in a few places apart from each other and wait until the panel is cool to the touch. It s recommended to use a 023 or 024 inch wire for most light gauge sheet metal work.