Help On Welding Patch Panels In. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

6T9GMC · 01-11-2008, 07:53 PM

Hello, Im Trying To Weld In My Floor Patch Panels. I Got Them All Fitting Pretty Good And I Drilled Holes In The Panel Where The Floor Supports Are Located, I Tried A Couple Of Tack Welds, But They Didn't Hold. Should I Drill The Hole Through The Supports Also, So The Weld Goes Down In The Hole?

lost wages · 01-12-2008, 03:27 AM

shouldnt need to, how big of hole did you drill? what kinda welder are you using and wire, setting?

lyrikz · 01-12-2008, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6T9GMC

Hello, Im Trying To Weld In My Floor Patch Panels. I Got Them All Fitting Pretty Good And I Drilled Holes In The Panel Where The Floor Supports Are Located, I Tried A Couple Of Tack Welds, But They Didn't Hold. Should I Drill The Hole Through The Supports Also, So The Weld Goes Down In The Hole?

We need just a little bit less information to help you out.

Quick pic or two would help also. This site is the place to help...

89 crew · 01-12-2008, 06:21 AM

From the sound of it and not knowing the setting / welder combination, I would guess by the description the heat is a bit low. Probably balled the weld up in the top panel not enough heat to get into the lower. If you want to keep this setting you can do it by enlarging the hole and making sure you start the weld on the support brace and then work it into the patch panel. Otherwise add enough heat to get some penetration and it should take care of the problem. If you add heat you will have to watch for burn through.

6T9GMC · 01-12-2008, 10:52 AM

Sorry, I'm Using A Hobart 180. I Had It Set To 1, Cause I Was Welding Another Patch In. I Just Had It Set Low To Keep From Burning Through. IT SOUNDS LIKE WHAT YOU JUST SAID. THAT MAKES SENSE.

6T9GMC · 01-12-2008, 03:54 PM

Here Is A Picture. I Was Wondering, Should I Weld The Outside Edge First Or The Spot Welds To The Supports? Thanks!

Old Chevy Mech · 01-12-2008, 04:16 PM

I would suggest getting the panel lightly tacked in place, then the supports. Once you have the floor panel in pretty solid, finish up the supports, then finish the floor panel last. Key is making sure things dont start pulling and warping out of place. You are using a mig?

Frank

6T9GMC · 01-12-2008, 04:20 PM

Yes, As Far As The Welder Setting, Should I Try "2" To Get More Heat?

oldsmobilekindofguy · 01-12-2008, 04:35 PM

find two scrap pieces of scrap sheet metal that are close to what the panel and the cad are and practice, that way you can set the welder to good penetration and a speed that you are comfortable with, that is what I did when i replaced the sheetmetal behind the rocker and them welds held. Good Luck

Premium72 · 01-12-2008, 08:10 PM

yeah bump up the heat. just watch it so you dont get it too hot.. in all realess its not gana make that much of a difference if your floor pan gets a touch warped, thats more of somthing to worry about when welding on exterior body panels. wouldnt hurt to practice on some scrap either. good luck. dont over think it...

Old Chevy Mech · 01-13-2008, 02:22 AM

Heat setting is varied by your input voltage. I know that some rural areas have line voltage that is higher or lower. Normal stick welding its not that critical, but when the metal is thinner like in body work you need to keep an eye on how the metal is reacting.
I was in one place using a small Lincoln 125 Mig welder, had all my settings tuned in just so...went to my Dads place and poof..blew right through in a place and said WTF? Turned the setting down a bit and finished the job. Later we checked the voltage and the input voltage was 135! I checked when I got home and it was 115. Not alot but enough to mess you up with thinner metals.

Frank

LONGHAIR · 01-13-2008, 04:13 AM

Also, when plug-welding, be sure that the panels are actually touching each other. You need to be sure that you floor panels are in full contact with the supports when you weld them. If you "bridge the gap" when you weld them, the floor will eventually bend between the plug-welds. The floor will be rippled, plus you have left gaps for water to get into....it will and you will have rust, again.

PanelDeland · 01-13-2008, 05:15 AM

If you are worried about warping just weld a short 3/4 to 1 in bead and move to another side.Let it cool a bit between welds.I agree that warping isn't as big an issue but you don't want it to "oil Can" everytime you step into the truck either.

6T9GMC · 01-13-2008, 08:54 AM

Thanks For All Of The Input! I'm Gonna Try It Again Tonite.

Old Chevy Mech · 01-13-2008, 12:25 PM

Good Luck, let us know how you make out!

Frank

01-11-2008, 07:53 PM	#1
6T9GMC Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: MOORE, OK Posts: 146	Help On Welding Patch Panels In. Hello, Im Trying To Weld In My Floor Patch Panels. I Got Them All Fitting Pretty Good And I Drilled Holes In The Panel Where The Floor Supports Are Located, I Tried A Couple Of Tack Welds, But They Didn't Hold. Should I Drill The Hole Through The Supports Also, So The Weld Goes Down In The Hole?

01-12-2008, 03:27 AM	#2
lost wages Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: jefferson city, mo Posts: 1,364	Re: Help On Welding Patch Panels In. shouldnt need to, how big of hole did you drill? what kinda welder are you using and wire, setting?

01-12-2008, 06:21 AM	#4
89 crew Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 865	Re: Help On Welding Patch Panels In. From the sound of it and not knowing the setting / welder combination, I would guess by the description the heat is a bit low. Probably balled the weld up in the top panel not enough heat to get into the lower. If you want to keep this setting you can do it by enlarging the hole and making sure you start the weld on the support brace and then work it into the patch panel. Otherwise add enough heat to get some penetration and it should take care of the problem. If you add heat you will have to watch for burn through.

01-12-2008, 10:52 AM	#5
6T9GMC Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: MOORE, OK Posts: 146	Re: Help On Welding Patch Panels In. Sorry, I'm Using A Hobart 180. I Had It Set To 1, Cause I Was Welding Another Patch In. I Just Had It Set Low To Keep From Burning Through. IT SOUNDS LIKE WHAT YOU JUST SAID. THAT MAKES SENSE. Last edited by 6T9GMC; 01-12-2008 at 10:54 AM.

01-12-2008, 03:54 PM	#6
6T9GMC Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: MOORE, OK Posts: 146	Re: Help On Welding Patch Panels In. Here Is A Picture. I Was Wondering, Should I Weld The Outside Edge First Or The Spot Welds To The Supports? Thanks! Attached Images

01-12-2008, 04:16 PM	#7
Old Chevy Mech Keepin it runnin! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Deep River, CT Posts: 1,036	Re: Help On Welding Patch Panels In. I would suggest getting the panel lightly tacked in place, then the supports. Once you have the floor panel in pretty solid, finish up the supports, then finish the floor panel last. Key is making sure things dont start pulling and warping out of place. You are using a mig? Frank __________________ 1970 K-5 4X4 Blazer 1970 K-20 4X4 Long Bed "Liberty Means Responsibility, that is why most men dread it"

01-12-2008, 04:20 PM	#8
6T9GMC Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: MOORE, OK Posts: 146	Re: Help On Welding Patch Panels In. Yes, As Far As The Welder Setting, Should I Try "2" To Get More Heat?

01-12-2008, 04:35 PM	#9
oldsmobilekindofguy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Stratford,SD Posts: 296	Re: Help On Welding Patch Panels In. find two scrap pieces of scrap sheet metal that are close to what the panel and the cad are and practice, that way you can set the welder to good penetration and a speed that you are comfortable with, that is what I did when i replaced the sheetmetal behind the rocker and them welds held. Good Luck __________________ 1967 c-10 longbox project, check it out in projects 1969 c-10 parts pickup, twisted frame Daily driver- 1970 Olds delta 88, 2dr., 455, gotta love the big block

01-12-2008, 08:10 PM	#10
Premium72 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Villa Rica Ga Posts: 889	Re: Help On Welding Patch Panels In. yeah bump up the heat. just watch it so you dont get it too hot.. in all realess its not gana make that much of a difference if your floor pan gets a touch warped, thats more of somthing to worry about when welding on exterior body panels. wouldnt hurt to practice on some scrap either. good luck. dont over think it... __________________ WombatFire, Art-Design-MADNESS Follow My Build and Adventures on Instagram

01-13-2008, 02:22 AM	#11
Old Chevy Mech Keepin it runnin! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Deep River, CT Posts: 1,036	Re: Help On Welding Patch Panels In. Heat setting is varied by your input voltage. I know that some rural areas have line voltage that is higher or lower. Normal stick welding its not that critical, but when the metal is thinner like in body work you need to keep an eye on how the metal is reacting. I was in one place using a small Lincoln 125 Mig welder, had all my settings tuned in just so...went to my Dads place and poof..blew right through in a place and said WTF? Turned the setting down a bit and finished the job. Later we checked the voltage and the input voltage was 135! I checked when I got home and it was 115. Not alot but enough to mess you up with thinner metals. Frank __________________ 1970 K-5 4X4 Blazer 1970 K-20 4X4 Long Bed "Liberty Means Responsibility, that is why most men dread it"

01-13-2008, 04:13 AM	#12
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	Re: Help On Welding Patch Panels In. Also, when plug-welding, be sure that the panels are actually touching each other. You need to be sure that you floor panels are in full contact with the supports when you weld them. If you "bridge the gap" when you weld them, the floor will eventually bend between the plug-welds. The floor will be rippled, plus you have left gaps for water to get into....it will and you will have rust, again.

01-13-2008, 05:15 AM	#13
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Help On Welding Patch Panels In. If you are worried about warping just weld a short 3/4 to 1 in bead and move to another side.Let it cool a bit between welds.I agree that warping isn't as big an issue but you don't want it to "oil Can" everytime you step into the truck either. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil" Last edited by PanelDeland; 01-13-2008 at 05:15 AM.

01-13-2008, 08:54 AM	#14
6T9GMC Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: MOORE, OK Posts: 146	Re: Help On Welding Patch Panels In. Thanks For All Of The Input! I'm Gonna Try It Again Tonite.

01-13-2008, 12:25 PM	#15
Old Chevy Mech Keepin it runnin! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Deep River, CT Posts: 1,036	Re: Help On Welding Patch Panels In. Good Luck, let us know how you make out! Frank __________________ 1970 K-5 4X4 Blazer 1970 K-20 4X4 Long Bed "Liberty Means Responsibility, that is why most men dread it"

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