Fender renovation

[AllyBill]

Hi Pat,

Once you have made your first tack do not begin your next one on the edge of first one then try to weld away from it further along the seam. Place your second tack a short distance along the seam from your first leaving a gap of about a quarter inch then weld BACK to the first one.
So many people make this mistake when MIG welding sheet. The heat will travel ahead of the weld pool and you want it to arrive at the weld you just completed at the very second that it would otherwise blow a hole so it can be soaked away rather than have it melt the edges.
With practice you can make your tacks a good half-inch long if you're quick.

Will

[Marty Comstock]

Another trick I use is that pesky little ball at the end of the wire. I can create one by making a quick false start, in other words hitting the trigger so fast it cant create a stable arc, but balls the end of the wire just a bit. Once you have that, you can then plow in with a slightly longer tap of the trigger, thereby closing the gap. It takes some practice, but it can be done, and quite efficiently when you get the hang of it.

[PatfromFrance]

Hello everybody,
Few news about my fender :
Cutting of the patch :
DSC00824.jpg
Then, takt welding :
DSC00825.jpg
and complete welding :
DSC00826.jpg
Griding :
DSC00828.jpg
Thank you in advance for your comments/tips

[Peter Tommasini]

Originally Posted by PatfromFrance

Hello everybody,
Few news about my fender :
Cutting of the patch :
Attachment 38390
Then, takt welding :
Attachment 38391
and complete welding :
Attachment 38392
Griding :
Attachment 38393
Thank you in advance for your comments/tips

As a suggestion next time try to cut the hole either round or oval or at least without square corners you will control the heat better and get less distortion
Peter

[PatfromFrance]

Thank you Peter for the tip. I chose this shape due the the simple tools I have.

Beginning of the finishing. I use dollys and a slapper made from a file.
Thank you Paul-S for the tips !!
DSC00840.jpg

[Maxakarudy]

Hi Pat,

One of the most important hand tools you can have is a body file, it tells you where the highs & lows are and is great for knocking down welds.

Keep up the good work

[PatfromFrance]

Thank you Maxakarudy for the tip.
Just to be sure what we are talking about (translation), you mean this tool ?
Bodyfile.jpg

[Maxakarudy]

Yes that's one version, good for curved panels, however a flat fixed straight body is better, lots of folk make their own and just buy the blade.