Hammer welding

[Gumby]

I've been researching hammer welding for panel replacement.

I was taught to use MIG, but the common knowledge seems to say the welds are too hard to work and all the cool kids are using hammer welds.


I can TIG, and that seems to be the next best thing.

Hammer welds seem to be really nice, but a TON of work and a lot of feel for the process.

Anybody got a suggestion for a driver, not a perfect resto?

Should I learn the cool, hard way, or not get caught up in 1000 hours of work for a truck that will never even the parking lot at Pebble Beach?

 

[beaufort-fj60]

looks like a lot of work.

 

[zebrabeefj40]

I think I'd be inclined to use MIG with some of the ESAB "easy grind" wire made just for body work or TIG. Not sure why MIG welds are considered "hard" when it's the same filler material as the typical TIG rod. Only reason I can think of is MIG throws down a whole lot more filler than you would typically use with TIG. Maybe try and aneal the MIG weld if it turns into a problem.

Nick

Info on Easy Grind wire:
http://products.esabna.com/index.ht..._id/id4367f2a958f8c3.05458256/category_id/504

 

[Gumby]

I think I'd be inclined to use MIG with some of the ESAB "easy grind" wire made just for body work or TIG. Not sure why MIG welds are considered "hard" when it's the same filler material as the typical TIG rod. Only reason I can think of is MIG throws down a whole lot more filler than you would typically use with TIG. Maybe try and aneal the MIG weld if it turns into a problem.

Nick

Info on Easy Grind wire:
http://products.esabna.com/index.ht..._id/id4367f2a958f8c3.05458256/category_id/504

More heat, I imagine.

 

[toddslater]

I wouldn't waste the time and effort on this Gumby...unless you have plenty spare time. Heck I don't evven see them doing this on Boyd Coddington's TV show what ever the hell that is. Mig'em, Tig'em, grind'em and fill'em I say. Although the thought of Pig's in Pebble sounds interesting...what could we do across the 18th green ??? not to mention Pig's in the cork screw out at Laguna

 

[Mace]

mig it..

done..

 

[JJS]

This may be a stupid question, but is the torch alone going to form a strong enough bond to allow you to hammer on the two panels? I'm thinking about giving this a shot; I've got some spare time.

 

[Fantom]

With an Oxy/Acetylene torch you can weld without using filler, in many cases, and in different thicknesses of steel. The benefit is that you are literally bonding the 2 pieces together to become one. With MIG, and TIG you use a filler that bonds them together. With O/A because you create a melted puddle from the metal, once it cools off it is stronger then most filler type welds. The only set backs are time, and skill, MIG is easy to learn, TIG is harder, O/A much harder since you have to learn to balance the heat and the "puddle you are creating. Also it is easier to warp everything.

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

O/A Welding is absolutely amazing. I was taught that before anything else in my welding class, and it made learning everything else SOOO easy. Once you understand heat and puddle control, welding with any sort of process just becomes a matter of adapting to that method's intricacies.

Gumby, I have absolutely NO body work experience other than trimming/hammering fenders, but I would say O/A is going to be way overkill for a driver. I would definately try to TIG it though if you have the means and ability. Much more control over MIG, and theoretically you can weld w/o filler doing TIG too.

 

[fj55mike]

To offer a dissenting voice, my dad and I gas welded all 22 square feet of sheet metal into my FJ55, and I am currently doing some rust repairs on my 61 sunbeam alpine using only gas. I find that while it takes a little while longer to learn, it creates much softer welds that are easier to straighten with a hammer and dolly. The hammer welding technique is not really that much work, and it really does create a beautiful repair. I say go for it, if you can TIG, you can probably gas weld. Just be sure to practice!

--M