2006 at the Hammond Barn

[Bob Carriere]

....is the big issue...... did we or didn't we.

Trying to replace the foot panel in the nose piece using 18 gauge satin coat steel. we can tack weld around the perimiter easy enough but it would look nicer if we could similate the spot welds.

So we drilled small 3/16 holes in the drill press and scaled down the welder with .023 wire with gas. I can fill the holes beautifully but the panel came off easy as I did not have sufficient prenetration to the 1/8 thick angle iron beneath..... tied different heat rang..... gave up and reset the mig for .035...... did some test on scrap steel and angle..... got some good penetration at level 4 heat range..... tested in the wise with hammer and chisel.

Conclusion.... 023 is fine with small gap joints in sheet metal.... worked well on practice scrap..... .023 is almost like using a gs welding torch.... I did the toe piece and you can control the puddle so easy....... fuses the two parts and fills the gap very well. But I prefer the .035 with higher heat to make sure it iis attached permanently.

By the way we cut out a new panel for you Rob...... you will need to fit it in carefully.... left a bit more metal on the top end where the other one was short.....

Any comments-suggestions from fellow welders are welcomed.

Boob