So basically my first weld job. I'm addicted I want to weld everything!! Only problem I suck at it. Just not enough experience. But I'm eager to learn. Should I use gas with the firewall? .025 wire? I"m currently running .035 flux core lincoln 180HD turned down all the way. Tried copper welding spoon to the back to fill in hole, still super tiny pinholes. This firewall thing is testing my patience!

How did I do?

 

Thin sheet metal is tough even for an experienced welder. I would go with .025 and gas or .030 fluxcore, the less heat you need the better. You could use lead to fill in the tiny holes you have left. I am going through the same thing right now and I have been welding for about 20 years now. If I could afford one, a tig welder would make it much easier. Good luck with your project and I hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Oscar

 

Go to the scrap yard or the local body shop and see if they have sheetmetal they are throughing away from some repairs they have accomplished. Take it home, drill holes in it, and practice on it until you are confortable working on the truck. It is a good way to get the welder dialed in and you can work on your technique.

Gear Up

 

That's a good idea for practicing. I have an extra sheet of scrap 18 gauge I'll practice on tomorrow. thx

 

Switch to gas and solid wire and you'll never go back.....
You may need to turn the heat up a notch and the wire speed down a couple, then use the copper backer. You want your weld to flow.....and just fuse together without piling up.
Practicing on some scrap is a good idea. Just don't give up!

 

.023 or .030 and gas would be your best bet.

 

Updating an old thread. I've filled all holes and fixed a bunch of crap welds I did a long time ago when I was learning. Just posting some pics to show

 

 

Looks much better!
So how many holes were there? did you count? I filled the holes on a '49 Chevy pickup firewall once, there were 66 of 'em.....

 

There were definitely over 60. Took me a couple days