Which OA filler rods would you recommend for welding new panels to my trusty old mini (a real one none of that bmw nonsense) ? I'll be doing some repairs ro the inner sills and also I have to butt weld some new rear quarter panels on so obviously the welds there will have to be ground flat and lead loaded afterwards to get rid of any dents/gaps Thanks as always for any suggestions Jim
The old guys would braze the panels, but otherwise just use some standard O/A filler rod, you will probably want to use 3/32" or even
1/6" for your panels. Use a small tip and a slightly carborizing flame to keep the heat down and the oxidizing to a minimum. 1/8" to 1/4" lap will make alignment much easier. Use a forming tool to get the metal on one side lower than the other to get the surface right.Biggest problem with O/A is that it puts a lot more heat > Which OA filler rods would you recommend for welding new panels to my
Thanks for that Roy As the mini uses just about everything as a stresses member the vast majority has to be welded rather than brazed, however with the rear quarter panels I think I could use a joggler to recess the old panel and braze the lap joints as you suggest then lead load any ripples in the braze. The brazing rod and lead won't react will they ?? I have to admit to the idea of using a carborizing flame to keep the heat down never even crossed my mind !
Thanks very much for all the advice
Jim
Keep in mind that if you braze an area and then have need to weld somethng in this same area at a later date you will have to cut out all of the braze. Generally you can't weld a piece of metal which has been brazed. The copper diffuses into the steel.
Cheers,
Kelley
As soon as I read this a memory shot into my head of when I was an apprentice mechanic and we had a car in with a panel just hanging off. The owner could never figure out why the panel would never stick !
20 odd years later and I finally find out why ! Thanks KelleyPolyTech Forum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.