SIP and welding Land Rover panels

[morrisguy]

Hi from Gippsland - home of the wild Wombats and bush fires .

I have a SIP 170 coppermate . Can I weld 18 gauge Aluminium sheet with this welder ? Or am I a misinformed optimist !!!

I am making new outer wings for my 1950 Land Rover and need to weld some thin Aluminium together . Learning as I go !

Mike

 

[pedrobedro]

In theory with pure argon and the right wire you should be able to but in practise it usually ends in tears. Are you completely remaking the wing or adding new bits to the old? Birmabright, the aluminium used for Land Rovers, gives a whole new set of problems.

 

[morrisguy]

Ok

In theory with pure argon and the right wire you should be able to but in practise it usually ends in tears. Are you completely remaking the wing or adding new bits to the old? Birmabright, the aluminium used for Land Rovers, gives a whole new set of problems.

Hi

I am using new aluminium sheet to make a new wing panel , not birmabright . I might use some thicker alum. pieces underneath the join seam in order to prevent blow through - it won't be visible from the outside. A 1" wide, say 2mm thick strip under the join so the weld can really have something to bond onto.

It's the front corner of the panel that needs a separate section welded in as its a awkward and difficult shape to make the whole thing in one , at least for me it is.

I made a new tailgate . I bonded the pieces together with an adhesive as I cannot spot weld aluminium yet !

Mike

 

[Shox Dr]

I'd repaired Defender Panels, with TIG. I wouldn't fancy welding it with MIG