MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
I'm off to homey depot to pick up some wire to put in my 20A outlet for my MIG. I also want to pick up some metal to practice on and maybe do some fabrication later.
What guage is the sheetmetal on the B?
Also, other than a cut off wheel, what do you guys use to cut metal? Snips?
For practice metal I'd try a junk yard, might be cheaper. For cutting you might look for an air (or electric) powered "nibbler". It's a tool that has a small shaft that goes up/down and bites (nibbles) a small piece of metal out. Cut is about 1/4 to 3/8 inch wide, clean, and doesn't leave a bent edge on the metal. Don't know for sure where neighbor got his, but suspect HF.
Sheet metal is expensive. Try like hell to find bad fenders or something to work on. Maybe the town dump has some in a bin you can grab. For new work I went to a local metal dealer and bought a 4x4 sheet of cold rolled steel. I honestly cant remember if it was 20 or 18 ga right now, someone will answer that. The sheet cost near $30 but for the patch panels I have been fabricating, it was a good value.
For the cutting, I am using the good Wiss brand offset aircraft shears. The model is 'M6' cast into it. This was a left hand shear only because HD was out of the right side model but it works fine. These are different from the other aircraft offset shears sold by other brands in that they have a very pronounced 'shelf' or horizontal plane to the down side of the snips. They make fine cuts very easy and these while not being air powered will cut through 18g like butter. They are avail at HD and I think was about $18. Check to see if you can get the right and left set as it is nicer when making curves like I am right now for wheel well parts.
Do not buy any other brand, they will not wok as well.
IMHO, YMMV
Come to think of it, I do have some of the floor pans I cut out. They are pretty nasty, but who cares, right? I will check homey for the shears.
Maybe they have sheet metal also but I do not think so. In the past before I weled i used to get galvanized stove pipe and flatten it for floor rapairs and such.
Galvanized stuff can be bad welding both because of the fumes and the zincs reaction to the arc. Why not just go to a junkyard and beg some old damaged modern fenders or hoods to play with. Bet they would be willing to give you a couple to learn to weld on because they have no value to them for resale
Hey sparky, be careful with the electrical work.
We are currently running a 135 amp Lincoln mig on a 15 amp circuit in the garage. As you are going to be welding sheet metal on a B you will likely never need a 20 amp circuit. The Lincoln 175 amp welder needs 20 amps. Sheet metal means low temp and slow work to prevent warp. Nice Idea though.
I assume you have a spare 20 amp GFI breaker to tie in to? Garage plugs are supposed to be on them.
I suspect all you have to do is cut the 20 amp plug off the welder and add a standard plug. We have never blown the 15 amp breaker.
My son gets his sheet metal at Lowes. Probably the most expensive place in town. 22 gage for most things.
Hi John I use the cut off wheel , air powerd shear ,nibbler, and chisel. All
along with different hand shears , one works better than the other depending on the spot your worling in. Buy good hand shears Wiss brand like Carl said as some of the best, Iv'e bought alot at flea markets, pawn shops, yard sales, etc, scrounge around you'll be suprised ! As for the air tools budget brand works fine for this type of work. Just my 2 cents in the change bowl.
Bill
Just got back from Homey. Bought some Weiss Shears M6, cuts left, $15, tip cleaner, splatter spray, welding hammer and steel brush.
I got the Romex, a 20amp breaker for my box and a 20amp outlet. That's the chore tonight.
I also bought some angle iron to reinforce my door opening so Tony won't worry so! lol!
Maybe I can also pick up some scraps at the Brit car shop.
Check a body shop, they have plenty of throwout sheetmetal.
Did you get a gas conversion kit with the welder or are you using flux core wire? If it's flux core really spray on the antisplatter. It will make cleaning the weld a lot easier. A narrow (1 1/2" or so) putty knife will clean most of it off. .023-.025 wire is best for body work.
gerry is right,galvanize metal when welding is like poision,you can get sick as hell,it happened to me once,if you weld it wear a good resporator,keep away from the fumes and have good ventalation
Will do Steve,
I've almost got my new power installed in the garage. I can't wait to start playing around with it.
