17 replies to this topic

[Shifty]

The rear seams aren't the problem, its the windscreen pillars, theres no way to get inside them and reinforce them!!

A weak joint here isn't what you want in a front end smash.

What I usually do it grind 2" of seam down so that its sits pround of the panel by about 2mm and then weld it up using a slightly higher power setting, this gives better penetration(oooh errr!!)

Getting the wing to A-panel joint to look right is an utter test of patience for anyone!!

I still don't like doing it because it still makes for a weaker joint, you lose 2 right angle joints in the process. Also on most minis this is probably one the last remaining factory welds on the car!!

Also it takes freaking Agggggggeeeeeessss!!!

De-seamed roof gutters never look right in my opinion, and to be honest I've never done one and I'd imagine that they're an utter pig to get right.!!

The corner seams are spot welded , so how would a fully seam welded joint be weaker?
I've got complete confidence my de-seaming, as for re-inforcing there is no point IMO

You're probably right, its just that once the joint has been fully seam welded and then ground down to make it look pretty its strength will have been reduced.

I just get a little paranoid about what would happen in the event of a crash. Again this is probably just me being over cautious.

[camp freddy]

The rear seams aren't the problem, its the windscreen pillars, theres no way to get inside them and reinforce them!!

A weak joint here isn't what you want in a front end smash.

What I usually do it grind 2" of seam down so that its sits pround of the panel by about 2mm and then weld it up using a slightly higher power setting, this gives better penetration(oooh errr!!)

Getting the wing to A-panel joint to look right is an utter test of patience for anyone!!

I still don't like doing it because it still makes for a weaker joint, you lose 2 right angle joints in the process. Also on most minis this is probably one the last remaining factory welds on the car!!

Also it takes freaking Agggggggeeeeeessss!!!

De-seamed roof gutters never look right in my opinion, and to be honest I've never done one and I'd imagine that they're an utter pig to get right.!!

The corner seams are spot welded , so how would a fully seam welded joint be weaker?
I've got complete confidence my de-seaming, as for re-inforcing there is no point IMO

You're probably right, its just that once the joint has been fully seam welded and then ground down to make it look pretty its strength will have been reduced.

I just get a little paranoid about what would happen in the event of a crash. Again this is probably just me being over cautious.

I made a point of not grinding the weld down , it was neat enough to just knock down subsurface
then profiled with glass filler

[jack_marshall]

Also in agreement with Camp Freddy.

Pointless and messy trying to weld strips of steel behind the seams.

If you weld 2-3 inches a time with good penetration it leaves it hot enough to give it a rattle with a panel hammer and sink it enough to only grind the tips off the weld leaving all the strength and the right shape.

Also like has been said, leaving the 1-2mm of the joining flanges proud creates 2 panels to be welded where as cutting them off flush, your trying to weld a gap which is never a strong weld.