13 replies to this topic

[SAL 821X]

Which do people prefer as I cannot decide and would like some pros and cons.

 

I'm leaning toward seam welding the lower edge on mine as I'm thinking this would stop the water getting in the seam between the inner and outer sill.

[sonikk4]

It came from the factory spot welded so for me thats the way it goes back on. Always have done and will continue to do so. I do know others seam weld between the vents but thats down to personal choice.

[Marco1972]

As above plug welds

[SAL 821X]

Looking more likely I'll be getting the drill bit out then.

[Bungle]

plug

 

if you weld the seams you can never get the sill/arch trim to stay on

[R1mini]

plug

 

if you weld the seams you can never get the sill/arch trim to stay on

 

I can no problem

[geo]

Definitely plug weld. It will make life a lot easier if they ever need to be replaced again.

[kezzkitkat]

^ plus 1 on above comment

[tiger99]

A seam weld on the outside edge of a flange or overlap is not always a good idea because it puts the weld right at the edge, which impairs the stiffness of the box section slightly. Actually (unlike the vertical seams on the Mini) the sills will be stiffer in torsion if deseamed and butt welded. The closer to the fold that the spot or plug welds are, the better. However, in the case of the Mini sill, the loss of stiffness is quite small, and an edge weld, ideally using TIG with no filler rod to avoid a huge weld bead, would be acceptable. Similar considerations apply to the lower edge, but note that oversills, widely used by cowboys, (ok, no-one has recommended them here so far, long may it continue) lower the stiffness seriously, because the welds are in completely the wrong place.

 

If you are using zinc-rich weld-through primer (not etch) on both faces of the seam, which I would think is highly desirable for long life, a seam weld may burn most of it off, while spot welds will leave most of it intact, with plug welds in between.

 

Edit: I would be happy with spot, plug or TIG seam at the edge, MIG seam underneath on my car, as long as it was well done. Quality matters even more than what welding technique is used. No chicken poo....

 

Another edit: It is good practice to MIG seam the two ends, to the inner wing and heelboard.

Edited by tiger99, 21 January 2014 - 07:28 AM.

[SAL 821X]

Great post Tiger. 

 

Well that's confirmed it then I shall be drilling holes in the sill tonight.

[SAL 821X]

Opted for the correct method last night all went well apart from my cordless drill battery was dead so had to do 2-3 holes at a time then charge the drill up again....... Yes, yes, I know but I'm too impatient and couldn't wait for it to just charge fully!

 

 

Once the seam sealer hardens off I'll clean up panels as I only have my finger as an applicator...

 

Need to roll the van over again and do the other side now.

[sonikk4]

Sal use masking tape if you are after neat sealed seams. Takes a bit of time but looks good.

[SAL 821X]

Why didn't I think of that!

 

We love you Neil......   

 

hahaha. LOL!

[Shifty]

 

plug

 

if you weld the seams you can never get the sill/arch trim to stay on

 

I can no problem

 

Same here..

 

 

I believe that seam welding the lip is stronger and will help prevent rusting as water can't get between the two lips