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Holding sheet metal together while welding?
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poopdevil
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 1:39 am    Post subject: Holding sheet metal together while welding? Reply with quote

So I am gong to be welding some patches in my bug and was wondering what a good tool to get is that will hold the patch panals in place for welding.
I'm a noob and just getting started.

For instance my rear wheel well has hiles in it and I want to cut out sections and replace them with new metal. What is a good way to hold them in place.
Tape? haha and also I hear that a sheet of copper behind the panals helps too to keep the weld smooth on the back side.
True?
Thanks guys!
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slowtwitch
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 3:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I use magnets from old hard drives
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beetlenut
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 6:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If the patch panels have a flange on them, you can use panel fasteners to hold them together tightly before you tack them. Otherwise big magnets work best IMO.
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Bart Dunn
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 8:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Magnets as stated, panel clamps (clecos--search that term), and even welding putting or jigging putty are things I've used that work well.

Vice grips of various design are indispensible. Some have long jaws to reach across long/deep panels, some have nice sets of four jaws to hold two panels firmly together, yadda yadda yadda.

Sometimes sheet metal screws are the thing, sometimes pop rivets, to draw metal together prior to welding. Then remove the screws or pop rivets and fill the holes.

The copper backing plates are nice.
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Mr. Unpopular
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 1:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

magnets don't work too well for small pieces because the magnet will pull the arc towards it and really screw up your weld.

I usually just hold them in place with my hand (no glove) and take it like a man Laughing
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SkooobaSteve
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 2:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

but weld clamps all the way. Or hand the manly way Laughing
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SkooobaSteve
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 2:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

but weld clamps all the way. Or hand the manly way Laughing
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=493553&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
65 dlx Slow build
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=391061
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swhitcomb
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 8:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I use those butt weld clamps. They work great. You have to be able to get at the back of whatever you are welding however. Harbor frieght has them a lot cheaper than Eastwood. I bought about 30 of them.
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