How To Weld 18 Gauge Sheet Metal

Place the welding tip wire at the gap and tack weld several small spots spacing them evenly apart.

How to weld 18 gauge sheet metal.

While replacing body panels overheating and warping thin sheet metal is common. If i get a hold of some thinner stuff i ll test. Avoid warping the sheet metal. Tack in a few places apart from each other and wait until the panel is cool to the touch.

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. Then tack between the two previous tacks. A er70s 6 wire would be most ideal for welding mild steel. I was able to do it.

For thinner gauge sheet metal like 18 or 20 gauge we suggest 023 6mm wire in your mig welder. This sheet was 18 gauge. As a rule when mig welding sheet metal never use a body filler metal that is thicker than the base metal. Holding the tip too far from the surface will cause the wire to have to come out too far to touch the metal.

It s recommended to use a 023 or 024 inch wire for most light gauge sheet metal work. Keep the stick out short stickout of your mig wire is important when welding any type of metal but especially sheet metal. Continue the same way along the sides of the piece of sheet metal. It is recommended that a welder should use 023 or 024 inch wire for light gauge sheet metal work.

However if you are dealing with materials that are 18 gauge or thicker one should be able to use 030 inch welding wire. To weld mild steel choose an american welding society classification wire such as er70s 6 which has a weld puddle that wets out nicely.