RC Truck and Construction  

Go Back   RC Truck and Construction > RC Tech section. > Metal forming & tools

Metal forming & tools If it bends,twists,welds,cuts & turns metal.Post it here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-15-2015, 10:38 AM
Cat966c Cat966c is offline
Green Horn
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 205
Cat966c is on a distinguished road
Default 18 gauge metal

Hey, sorry to bother you all, but I would appreciate some of the experts opinions on how to weld pieces of 18 gauge mild sheet metal together with a mig welder. The specifications are: Lincoln electric sp 135 plus ac input 115 v Single phase 60hz. Dc output: max ocv 28v

Thanks, I really appreciate any help.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-15-2015, 01:47 PM
9W Monighan's Avatar
9W Monighan 9W Monighan is offline
Big Dawg On The Bone
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Pittsburgh,PA.
Posts: 1,283
9W Monighan will become famous soon enough9W Monighan will become famous soon enough
Default Re: 18 gauge metal

Trial and error till you get the correct setting. I would guess about 20V with .030'' wire. You'll need to fool with the wire speed & voltage on scrap metal. Start an arc and play with the wire speed. I go by the sound of the arc. You don't want the gun spitting or burning through the work. Find a happy medium.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-15-2015, 05:08 PM
Cooper's Avatar
Cooper Cooper is offline
Big Dawg On The Bone
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Watsontown, Pa
Posts: 2,119
Cooper is on a distinguished road
Default Re: 18 gauge metal

I agree, on the thin stuff I ignore recommended settings and go by trial/error on test pieces. Some people just keep tack welding spots. Real easy to have I nice puddle turn into a nice big hole. Sizzling bacon in a frying pan is a nice sound to hear when welding
__________________
Always wasting money, as the wife says.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-15-2015, 06:16 PM
Finster's Avatar
Finster Finster is offline
Apprentice
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NY, USA
Posts: 401
Finster is on a distinguished road
Default Re: 18 gauge metal

Sizzling bacon is a nice sound to hear when you are hungry too...
__________________
Brian
Finster shavin' and smokin' a cigar?!?!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-15-2015, 08:11 PM
spudd spudd is offline
CEO of bend over motors."WE DRIVE IT HOME!"
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: milaca minnesota
Posts: 1,032
spudd has a spectacular aura aboutspudd has a spectacular aura about
Default Re: 18 gauge metal

I have been playing around as of late.
I own a body shop and have been trying to get my wire feed diled in for a restroation job I
Have coming in soon. The best result I got on 18 gauge is 023 with 100% argon and easy grind wire.
I decided to buy a tig welder instead and get used to useing it for sheet metal and aluminum I bought a miller 250 and so far I really like how my welds are coming out.
__________________
Specializing in VW beetle water pumps!

RIP FREDDYGEARDRIVE
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-15-2015, 09:33 PM
Wiskybilt Wiskybilt is offline
Newbie
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 111
Wiskybilt is on a distinguished road
Default Re: 18 gauge metal

(Cobra torches / oxy acetylene) are another great option for welding, not only thin materials, but almost any metals
__________________
Life: it's all about the ride!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-15-2015, 10:06 PM
doodlebug's Avatar
doodlebug doodlebug is offline
Big Dawg On The Bone
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: South 40 Swamp, Utah
Posts: 2,398
doodlebug is on a distinguished road
Default Re: 18 gauge metal

Try doing spot or interrupted welds.
Cheers, Neil.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-16-2015, 04:53 PM
Cat966c Cat966c is offline
Green Horn
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 205
Cat966c is on a distinguished road
Default Re: 18 gauge metal

Ok, thanks guys! Great advice!! Yeah, I think I'm just going to tack it until someone either lets me use their tig, or I buy my own, which begs the question...
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 06-16-2015, 10:36 PM
Lil Giants's Avatar
Lil Giants Lil Giants is offline
BANNED
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Saskatchewan
Posts: 4,431
Lil Giants has disabled reputation
Default Re: 18 gauge metal

I weld 20 gauge metal with 023 wire with good results.
__________________
Sharing knowledge is one thing that defies basic arithmetic logic --- the more you share, the more you get!

Joe
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:29 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.6
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.