welding and patch panels help

[72gmcshorty]

Couple of questions, what gauge steel do you use for patch panels?

Just got a welder and was watching the how to video. When welding, do you run a continuous bead or just weld a bunch of spaced out dots and then fill in between? Is it necessary to weld both sides of the patch panel?

[Longblock]

spots...... be careful and watch for warping......the cheap patch panels from LMC are half as thin as the original...

[lks dcvn]

spot weld and skip around to prevent metal warpage from heat.

I make a spot weld every 3 inches or so and then go back and fill them in moving around the panel.

[71jimmy]

I believe the factory panels were in the 19 gauge area. So I try to buy the closest to that. I usually find 18 guage fairly easily. I've bought my replacement parts from The Truck Shop and from Wes at Classic Heartbeat and they were all very close if not exact as to thickness.

Yes, as the others have said, spot weld to reduce warpage. The metal is too thin for continuos beads. Not necessary to weld both sides, unless your going for show or something. Just make sure you get good penetration. Most areas your not going to have access to both sides anyway.

Good luck, and show us some of your work.

[Muleman100]

I have found that when you make your own patch panels to weld in I use 20 ga cold rolled steel because it is easier to form and weld. As stated above move arond when welding to reduce the chance for warping. good luck.