miig weld or braze

[electrodudem]

I'm getting ready to repair a rip to the lock hole in the door, That some one tried to break in to,both doors are screwed up .I've hammered it back in to shape,It came out good.I was just wondering if I should braze or silver solder the rips rather than mig and risk blowing threw? The metal seems thin? What do you guys think is the best approach. Thanks MIKE

[Blaze9t8]

The problem with doing braze and silver soldering it that they both require a flux that can come back to haunt you when you paint later. Use the mig welder.

[pbrown]

MIG or TIG it. TIG is softer and can be hammered after. MIG is the easiest. Turn the heat down and skip around to avoid heat buildup. Just do a series of tacks.

[electrodudem]

OK! Thanks It's a small rip near the lock hole,Just seems thin.

[Len]

If you back up the metal using copper as you weld it will help stop blowing through the metal. You can flatten a piece of copper pipe and hold it against the back of the metal. The weld won't stick to the copper.

[electrodudem]

sweet,good Idea!

[Lost in NJ]

For welding up to the edge with a mig welder you will want to use copper to back the weld and have a regular welding rod on hand. You want to keep the welding rod close to the edge and use it to help take away the heat to prevent a burn back. Practice a bunch on similar metal first.

Keep in mind that EVERY weld you make is a shrink point. If you have a distortion or oil can in the part after you are done the repair is to stretch the area you just welded with hammer on dolly hits.

With a TIG you can weld up to the edge, but that is a whole different ball game.

You do not want to braze or silver solder unless you like to have more work to do. Once you braze or SS you can not go back and properly weld it. You also have trouble correcting for heat shrinkage.

[electrodudem]

Thank's they were small rips,a couple of tacks with the mig and copper tubbing behind and it worked well! Thanks for the information all!!!I'm new to this and have limited welding skills! Where in jersey are you LOST? I'm in N.Y. Thanks MIKE