Metal for Welding

[aquanaut]

I recently purchased a Clarke Pro 90 for automotive welding. (25-90 AMPS)

Being a newbie I wondered what type of steel i need to buy for repairing the body work of a 1970's Jensen healey. The Chasis appears solid.

Is steel sold in given sheet sizes as I only need a relatively small amount

I also wondered if any one could tell me what gauge steel is used for car body work typically.

Finally, what is the difference between mild sheet and stainless steel - I assume its not possible to use stainless steel on floor panel repairs as ? it wont bond with the steel the vehicle is made from ?

Would just seem a perfect answer even though stainless is more expensive.

 

[Hitch]

Stainless is unneccessary for welding cars.
You want normal mild steel for car repairs. as for gauge, not sure, depends on where you are welding, it will vary. Some of the car enthusiasts will answer that one for you no doubt. Probably panels 0.9mm. Floor pan, perhaps 1.2?

It is sold by the sheet to small users such as yourself. Generally the common sizes stockholders will cary will probably be 2500x1250 or 2000x1000 in thin stuff.
Some place will do even smaller sheets.



Where abouts in Somerset are you, i might be able to help you out with material...or a couple of suppliers...

 

[Archie]

Mild steel is what you want. Sheets come in standard sizes, the smallest being 2000mm x1000mm. There are some people selling smaller pieces on eBay but it's generally very expensive for the amount you get. It may be worth talking to your local steel stockholder and seeing if they'll sell you a half sheet or if they have any off cuts.

Different manufacturers use different gauges but I should have thought somewhere between 0.9mm and 1.2mm would be in the right ball park.

Stainless contains Chromium and smaller amounts of other alloying metals. It would be possible to weld stainless to mild but it would be a lot of extra effort and would undoubtedly be best done with a TIG welder. Stick with the m/s and give it the full works when you paint it!

EDIT: Well that was a waste of time. I've just repeated everything Hitch said.

 

[fingers99]

For the steel, I'd just get a micrometer or vernier out and measure what's there.

Bang on a few doors, ask around at body shops and motor factors as well as the metal merchants: you'll find somewhere.

The stainless thing really isn't worth it -- it makes the job trickier, more expensive and -- chances are -- the rest will rot out faster.

 

[aquanaut]

Stainless is unneccessary for welding cars.
You want normal mild steel for car repairs. as for gauge, not sure, depends on where you are welding, it will vary. Some of the car enthusiasts will answer that one for you no doubt. Probably panels 0.9mm. Floor pan, perhaps 1.2?

It is sold by the sheet to small users such as yourself. Generally the common sizes stockholders will cary will probably be 2500x1250 or 2000x1000 in thin stuff.
Some place will do even smaller sheets.



Where abouts in Somerset are you, i might be able to help you out with material...or a couple of suppliers...

Hi I am based in Weston Super Mare.

Would they cut that down in half for transport ?

I have a pick up but not sure 2500 x 1250 would fit unless cut in half. Any ideas on price for between 0.9 and 1.2 mil ?

 

[Hitch]

Bit out of my range, if you source it through a local fabrication shop, they would be able to cut it down for you.

A 2mx1m is probably the way forward, id imagine youll have to get 'cold rolled' as its thin, Probably £40-£50 a sheet...

Don't know any suppliers that are that local to you, have a look at this list you might find someone that could do you half a sheet... Some of the better motor factors will do flat sheet aswell, generally isn smaller sizes, like 500mmx1000mm

 

[aquanaut]

Steel for welding

why, where are you and do you have smaller sizes - I only thought of that size as I understood you had to buy it like that.

I could probably make do with 60 x 60 in 0.9 to 1.2

 

[paul33]

Hi I am just down the road in Highbridge - I do need to order a couple of sheets in the near future and will be able to spare some, how much of a hurry are you in?

 

[peterd51]

Hi,

I've bought smaller sheets, about 1m x 0.7m (about 3' x 2') from the local motor factors. They supply to garages that maybe only need small sheets for odd repairs.

It's been a long time since I bought one but it was only about a fiver or so.

Regards
Peter

 

[Hitch]

Im near Wincanton, so not that close really.