Stitch welding

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Thu Aug 20, 2015 2:05 pm

Nothing is more deflating than watching a bunch
of videos and reading plenty of articles
describing patching sheetmetal then actually
firing up the MIG on paper-thin cowl and spending
the morning learning how not to weld.

All of the test stuff I've been using is fairly
new, and full thickness, so almost no relation
to what I'm working with. Which leads to my
question.

In stich welding do you place the patch and
just spot weld for a second or so then get off
the trigger? Move to a place maybe 90 degrees
or as far as possible from the first, align the patch
and do it again ? Repeat, except in between the two,
eventually filling in with spot welds?

In other words no long beads with the thin
sheet we are working with.

Thanks for the help.
Brian

STXM38A1 · Post by **STXM38A1** » Thu Aug 20, 2015 2:28 pm

I've seen something better on stitch welding sheet metal, but can't find it. This article may help a little.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/body- ... -oh-sheet/

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Thu Aug 20, 2015 3:16 pm

Warren,
Great article. Exactly what I needed to know.

Thanks!
Brian

southpw · Post by **southpw** » Thu Aug 20, 2015 3:25 pm

Yes you are correct. Don't hold the trigger. Set heat to lowest possible and move up only if you are finding it's just not enough. Once the panel is tacked in a few places and you feel it is in a good spot, you can run multiple spots side by side and then move to another area.Maybe 4 or 5 spots at a time. If you find you start blowing through the material, try only 2 or 3 spot welds and move somewhere else allowing that area to cool.
Good luck.

Bretto · Post by **Bretto** » Thu Aug 20, 2015 4:26 pm

Having an air hose next to you is handy also to help cool things down quicker between your spot welds.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Thu Aug 20, 2015 5:51 pm

Thanks Guys.