9 replies to this topic

[iant]

If you had the option of butt-welding a repair patch or joggling the panel and setting the repair into the joggle (and plug and/or seam welding the edge) which would be your chosen method ?

I'm guessing the butt-weld is the chosen method but what are the problems with the joggled approach ?

[walkersky]

personally it would be joggled for me, strong join as there is some overlapping giving the join like a double skin wereas butt join theres nothing overlapping

[scsracing]

It depends on the finish you are looking for. For example if you want a smooth floor pan then butt welding would be the way to go but if you are happy with the joggled edge then happy days. There is nothing wrong with joggling as my Dad has used it a lot especially for wheel arch replacements on old Fords etc. However on Project Erm Dad has butt welded all of the seams/floors etc for a factory finish look.

The thing with using joggled joints on a floor is you really need to seam weld the underside rather than inside the car to form a nice water tight seal then on the inside you can either weld again for extra strength or seal it up.

Most of the panels on a Mini are covered with trim/ carpet etc so joggled joints would not be noticeable, it all depends on what you intend to do with the car ie show it etc.

[iant]

It depends on the finish you are looking for. For example if you want a smooth floor pan then butt welding would be the way to go but if you are happy with the joggled edge then happy days. There is nothing wrong with joggling as my Dad has used it a lot especially for wheel arch replacements on old Fords etc. However on Project Erm Dad has butt welded all of the seams/floors etc for a factory finish look.

The thing with using joggled joints on a floor is you really need to seam weld the underside rather than inside the car to form a nice water tight seal then on the inside you can either weld again for extra strength or seal it up.

Most of the panels on a Mini are covered with trim/ carpet etc so joggled joints would not be noticeable, it all depends on what you intend to do with the car ie show it etc.

Looks like I'll probably mix'n'match and use both methods.

Can anyone recommend a good weld-thru primer ? I've seen copper coloured/loaded weld-thru primers - are they any good or any better than the standard grey/zinc types?

[walkersky]

i use a upol weld through primer, can get it in red, grey, white

[scsracing]

My dad uses you-POL WELD#2 weld through zinc rich primer. I get it from Halfords and use my discount card or a trade card which makes it quite cheap. One tin lasts for ages as you are only using it on the welded areas.

[ANON]

butt weld is stronger

[minidaves]

thats quite a claim

dave

[Sam Walters]

I try and butt whenever i can, i find clamping up with jogglers a pain. I use intergrips to hold panels in place.

Its a little odd to weld with due to the gap but after that all is okay.

Edited by Sam Walters, 17 February 2011 - 09:59 AM.

[sonikk4]

I try and butt whenever i can, i find clamping up with jogglers a pain. I use intergrips to hold panels in place.

Its a little odd to weld with due to the gap but after that all is okay.

If you are having problems with joggled joint clamping then use cleco pins or skin pins this way you would be able to clamp the joint up tight. With regards to butt welding if you were to leave the finished weld bead un ground then yes it would possibly be stronger, however providing you have had good welding penetration then grinding down the weld bead should not detract from the weld strength providing you do not grind down the metal around the weld.