Arc Welding Sheet Metal

3 8 for guidance in the selection of the proper welding process see ses w01 f02 and w03 f02.

Arc welding sheet metal.

So for instance you can work on 18 ga. For 3 32 7018 s it s about the same. The more time the arc is in an area the hotter it becomes. 3 6 for weldments of sheet metal see ses w06 f19.

How to weld thin gauge steel similar to car body panel down to 8mm or 1 32 of an inch thick with arc or stick welder. Heat and establish a puddle move along your welding direction far enough to allow the puddle to freeze keep moving. Yes arc welding sheet metal is difficult tedious and probably a bit insane but it is feasible. I use 6010 6011 for thin sheet metal.

3 7 all welding and tack welding shall be done by welders who have satisfactorily passed welder s qualification tests. Gas metal arc welding gmaw is a very effective method in joining together thinner materials. Stainless steel or 24 ga. Everyone is different but those settings will get you in the right ballpark to weld sheet metal.

Keep in mind during the welding process it is important to direct the arc right at the center of the weld puddle and don t do movements like whipping or weaving. Disclaimer due to factors beyond the. Always travel in a straight line and use the fastest travel speed possible that maintains a good bead profile. Only pause at the puddle and then move back to establish a puddle in the crater.

Now you know the secret of arc welding thin metal sheets. Shielded metal arc welding smaw also known as manual metal arc welding mma or mmaw flux shielded arc welding or informally as stick welding is a manual arc welding process that uses a consumable electrode covered with a flux to lay the weld. A good heat setting for 1 8 6011 rods on thin material is about 80 90 amps. An electric current in the form of either alternating current or direct current from a welding power supply is used to form an electric arc.

Just grab a piece of sheet metal to get the heat set correctly and go to town. Every surgeon can operate a scalpel but only a few could work with any tool. I would compare it to performing plastic surgery with butcher knives.