18 guage hand held hole punch for replacement panels

[Rg500gamma]

I have looked hi and lo for a hole punch that will pierce 18g metal
I have only found ones that handle 16g
I don't want to drill.
Can anyone steer me to a HAND HELD punch for 18g
A pneumatic tool I is not what I want.
The hand held tool that has rotating wheel with the different hole diameter sizes.

[Husker]

16g is heavier than 18.
Ron

[70STOVEBOLT]

Yep, like wire, the smaller number the larger the size.

[Rg500gamma]

Wow. Just electric wire sizing
I'm so glad I'm a member of the forum.
Lastly, do you all use .023 mig wire for the panel welding ?

[LS short box]

I typically use .030 on sheet metal. And then .035 on thicker steel.
The thing about welding thin sheet metal is practice practice practice on the same gauge sheet metal before welding on your project.

[Rick Bollinger]

If you already have 023 it will work just fine. Don't use flux core wire it is dirty. Using 25% carbon dioxide 75% argon gas for black is the cleanest.
My bad I was backwards on the blend brain fart. Thanks raggedjim.

[raggedjim]

Hmm, I always use 75% argon, 25% CO2.

I use .030 for floor panels but usually use .023 for outer body panels. I have used flux core for floor panels but you get a lot of splatter.

If you have a flux core/mig machine make sure you select the right polarity for mig.

Good luck, Rg

[Jim Boy]

Originally Posted by Rg500gamma

I have looked hi and lo for a hole punch that will pierce 18g metal
I have only found ones that handle 16g
I don't want to drill.
Can anyone steer me to a HAND HELD punch for 18g
A pneumatic tool I is not what I want.
The hand held tool that has rotating wheel with the different hole diameter sizes.

Lookup Whitney Punch. There are all different types and sizes. Good luck.

[Jrainman]

Originally Posted by Rg500gamma

I have looked hi and lo for a hole punch that will pierce 18g metal
I have only found ones that handle 16g
I don't want to drill.
Can anyone steer me to a HAND HELD punch for 18g
A pneumatic tool I is not what I want.
The hand held tool that has rotating wheel with the different hole diameter sizes.

What you want is a vintage hand held Whitney Punch you can find them on ebay just make sure it a complete set with all the dies . they can punch to 14 ga. 16 -18 no problem.

[cbeerman]

here is a pic

[Rick Bollinger]

cbeerman That is one of the good ones. I have one like it and another in the blue plastic box. It also is a quality punch. Both Roper Whitney. Avoid the cheap knock offs they are junk I have used them. I'm a 38 year Union Sheet Metal worker and am retiring on March 14th. Spend the extra and it is a lifetime tool if taken care of.

[Deer_hunter_088]

I bought a Chief air operated one from HF and have had good luck with it as well. also is a seamer.

[68 C10 Driver]

Originally Posted by cbeerman

here is a pic

That is the exact same punch I have.

FWIW, I have a HF flux core MIG that I converted to DC and it works great, not as dirty as before and with less spatter. I have used it on all my cab welding and it has been excellent. Just saying...maybe the DC conversion is the difference.