Sheet Metal Gauge for Patch

[69Weekender]

Hi,
I am teaching myself to weld this weekend and would like to know what gauge sheet metal I should use for a patch in my driver's side rear panel.
Any input or tips would be great, thanks!
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Mitchell
ISO any California Road Runner Camper parts or info
1969 California Road Runner Camper: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=646780
2015 Toyota Tacoma V6 4x4
Past:
01 Honda Insight, 06 Beetle TDI, 77 Toyota, 96 Geo Metro, 06 Tacoma, 13 Jetta Wagon, 05 Jetta, 96 Corrado VR6
Other ICE Machinery: Alco 251F 16v & 8v

[67rustavenger]

Practice on 22ga. Its real thin and if you can master that after a bit. You should be able to handle body panels. I believe that body panel thickness is 20ga and pans are 18ga. If I'm wrong I'll get corrected shortly.
Good Luck.
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I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[theKbStockpiler]

Teaching yourself to weld and patching your vw are two different things. I would not suggest learning to weld on anything thinner than 20 gauge and that should be close to the gauge of your patch as well. A project is Not a good time to learn to weld. After you can weld somewhat ,then prepare yourself for the project. Go someplace that sells surplus or wholesale metal and buy $35 worth. After you consume that metal practising , plan on how you will do your repair.
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My beetle is not competing with your beetle. I have the yellow beetle in my town. There is a red one, a green one ......
Use all safety devices including a mask.

[danny gabbard]

What kind of welding are you doing ?? Plus the thinner the material your welding , The smaller Dia rod you want to use . Try putting a magnifier in your welding helmet . The better you see , the faster you can react . BUT !! practice on same thickness of material before welding on your project !!! Be patient !!
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Shipping is NOT included in any of my products or parts. Just want to say thanks from GAB-FAB for any purchase!!

[JaredJ]

I taught myself to weld with my Eastwood MIG welder and I went to the Lincoln Welding Foundation and bought a bunch of metal kits to practice on. The kits are precut pieces of metal and if you order 10 kits they are $4.50 per kit. I ordered 10 and just welded away to get the feel of the unit.

http://www.jflfoundation.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=METAL

Money well spent if you ask me!