Body panel welding type of steel, channeling

Ok I am here finally working on my Dodge again.I am getting ready to buy steel for my body patch work. I do not know anything about the types of steel much less welding but I will know when I am finished! My question can cold rolled steel be used to weld in as patch panels. I can get some s****s locally. I kinda think the body started out that way before it was stamped? any help or links would be appreciated I have been scouring through the tech archives sorry if i have missed something.

Also on channeling I have read through the archives and when your welding in the square tubing directly to the body prior to attatching to the new subfloor are you guys treating the metal with anything. Between the body itself and the tubing? I am concerned about rusting in between the two!

Thanks

 

Cold rolled is fine to use for patch panels. Origianl metal is probably 19 gauge which is tough to find these days so 18 gauge will be your best bet.

You can use a weld thru primer anywhere you will be welding that might have rust concerns down the road.

 

Great Thanks alot

 

I highly recommend practicing on some of those s****s you mentioned before you bring your welder anywhere near your Dodge. Welding is an art form that some guys on here make look really easy but I can tell you from experience it takes a ****load of practice. Better to burn through and warp the hell out of s**** than the real McCoy. Looks really good so far though! Good luck!

 

Are you going to gas, mig or flux weld it? flux gets hot, and warps thin metal if you don't go slow. gas you can control on the fly and hammer weld.

 

I think I have learned my grinding lesson! I going to convert my Grind core welder to Gas tomorrow morning! I am not sure if it new meets old steel but I cannot seem to get a consistant weld. It either want to burn or bounce off and varies per section. My lack of experience doesnt help. I seem to be able to get ok outside the car on new steel OK. I am going to practice a bunch more before I touch the car again

 

OH I am woking on the Frame portion not on the body parts yet!

 

I guess I'll say it then..... if you're not feeling competent about your welding skills or your welder, then I'd say starting with frame work is not such a great idea. Grab all that cast off cold rolled you mentioned and practice, practice, practice. Make friends with a weldor who can critique your practice welds. I teach welding everyday.

 

Thanks alot I agree

 

My Update is I changed out my Flux core to a Argon Gas mix OH WOW what a difference! I did a search and found this site! www.weldingtipsandtricks.com I watched all the mig videos. I read through 20 tips and I changed out my ground clamp to a much better copper. I bought a new shorter snout to bring out the tip more flush with the snout and its like a whole new welder and I have had much better progress. I hope this helps someone else down the road ! Thanks HAMBERS

 

Hey Dirty30Dodge, i checked out that welding link you included and WOW! There is a boat load of information out there. Anyone wanting to know more about welding needs to go there. I saved the link on my pc so i can go back there as needed. Just too much info for one reading. THANKS

 

clean the old metal real good, always alota **** on there from over the yrs. keep a good ground also and you should be good to go

 

weld thru primer http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?mwsId=SSSSSu7zK1fslxtUm8tSmx_Bev7qe17zHvTSevTSeSSSSSS--