Steel Thickness

[Royale80]

Hello all,

 

Got myself a MIG welder- a second hand Clarke 150TE for £70-and it works!

 

I may need to tidy up a sill on my Royale-just wondering what thickness steel I need for sills and general body work.

 

Any advice greatly appreciated as always.

 

Thanks

 

Steve

 

[Tamworthbay]

Production stuff varies from 0.8-1mm for most stuff, I always use 1.2mm for any structural repairs, it's a bit harder to work but worth the extra effort.

[richardthestag]

18 gauge 1.02mm is what I am using on my projects

 

anything that needs more strength is 16 gauge 1.2mm ish

 

trouble with 16gauge is bending it

 

18 gauge is easy to work with

 

edited to add whs ^^^

[Bren]

16 gauge is generally reserved for sills etc - the rest is made of thinner stuff.

[PiperCub]

Same here. (what RTS & Tam said). 

[richardthestag]

probably find that production was nearer 20 gauge which is like tinfoil by comparison

 

when welding new to old I find that getting both edges spotlessly clean (new steel often comes with a see through coating that will prevent a clean weld) I get less blow through by starting the welding pool on the new and pushing it onto the old

 

oh and with the mig gas I find the argon mix is easier for car body, And for the disposable bottles crank the regulator right open! should give you about 45seconds of clean welding. welders warehouse often does deals on disposable bottle that have higher pressure contents that last 90 - 120 seconds of actual welding.

 

https://www.thewelderswarehouse.com/Welding-Supplies/Argon-Co2-gas-cylinder-disposable.html

[danthecapriman]

I always use 1mm for general use, 1.2mm for chassis legs and structural.

[fordperv]

^The same here