How To Weld 18 Gauge Sheet Metal

This sheet was 18 gauge.

How to weld 18 gauge sheet metal.

It is recommended that a welder should use 023 or 024 inch wire for light gauge sheet metal work. Can the harbor freight hf 125 flux core welder do sheet metal. Most of the light gauge sheet metal work will require the use of 023 or 24 inch while if you have a sheet metal having a gauge of more than 18 gauge then a 030 inch wire would be the most ideal. Then tack between the two previous tacks.

However if you are dealing with materials that are 18 gauge or thicker one should be able to use 030 inch welding wire. I was able to do it. Place the welding tip wire at the gap and tack weld several small spots spacing them evenly apart. Avoid warping the sheet metal.

Tack in a few places apart from each other and wait until the panel is cool to the touch. A er70s 6 wire would be most ideal for welding mild steel. To weld mild steel choose an american welding society classification wire such as er70s 6 which has a weld puddle that wets out nicely. If i get a hold of some thinner stuff i ll test.

Keep the stick out short stickout of your mig wire is important when welding any type of metal but especially sheet metal. Holding the tip too far from the surface will cause the wire to have to come out too far to touch the metal. As a rule when mig welding sheet metal never use a body filler metal that is thicker than the base metal. For thinner gauge sheet metal like 18 or 20 gauge we suggest 023 6mm wire in your mig welder.

Continue the same way along the sides of the piece of sheet metal. When the material is 18 gauge and thicker you may be able to use a 030 inch wire.