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Sheet Metal Welding Techniques
When welding sheet metal, a diff
erent approach is taken to account for how thin the metal is and it’s
susceptible to warping it is. The technique most often used is called Stitch Welding and this process
is described below:
1.
Clean the metal to be welded of any paint, rust, oil, grease, dirt or any other contaminants that
may be on the surface of the piece.
2.
Secure the pieces to be welded in place using clamps.
3.
Set the machine to ‘LOW’ voltage and Wire Speed to ‘4’.
4.
Get some pieces of scrap metal of the same thickness and verify that the settings will work for the
specific weld you will be making.
5.
Once the settings have been fine tuned tack weld your final pieces in places and remove the
clamps if they are in the way of the weld.
6.
The Stitch Welding technique can now be utilized which is basically a series of tacks connecting
together. To perform the technique, trigger the gun to form a tack weld and then continue to
trigger the gun, making a series of connected tack welds following along the path of the weld
joint. It is essential to keep moving around to spread out the heat making sure not to get one
section too hot and warp the metal.
7.
Once the entire weld has been completed allow the metal to cool. If necessary follow up with a
flap disc to grind the weld bead flush.
Heavy Gauge Metal Welding Techniques
When welding heavy gauge metal, a different approach is usually taken to account
for the metal thickness. This approach is described below:
1.
Clean the metal to be welded of any paint, rust, oil, grease, dirt or any other contaminants that
may be on the surface of the piece.
2.
Secure the pieces to be welded in place using clamps. Be sure to leave a small gap between the
two pieces of metal for the weld to flow into, this will result in a lower bead height which will
require minimal finishing.
3.
Set
the machine to ‘HIGH’ voltage and Wire Speed to ‘7’.
4.
Get some pieces of scrap metal of the same thickness and verify that the settings will work for the
specific weld you will be making.
5.
Once the settings have been fine-tuned, tack weld your final pieces in places and remove the
clamps if they are in the way.
6.
When welding heavy gauge metal there are two basic approaches to creating the weld. The first
is a continuous bead with steady gun movement along the length of the joint. The second type of
weld is a Stringer or Weave bead. This is accomplished by moving the torch in a circular or zig
zag pattern. Either of these techniques will create strong welds but in some cases the Stringer or
Weave type will create a more aesthetically appeasing weld bead.
7.
Once the entire weld has been completed, allow the metal to cool. If necessary, follow up with a
flap disc to grind the weld bead flush.
