welding

i am new to welding and just got my first welder for christmas and havent used it yet (i know i am lazy) are there any tricks to techniches i need to practice before i start to shave my doors and weld the tailgate in place what and how should i practice themthanksMark

when ur welding doin body work DO NOT RUN BEADS! just tack it or u will warp the metal..like do one tack one side and then go to other side and do a tack let them cool down and do the same..just do this untill its tacked all the way around

yeah i watched trucks on spike tv and he did it that way also. he had some conture (spelling) tool that held the shape of the door where can i get one and what is a good dolly and hammer kit to buy for an amatur
thanks

i just started welding also i just grabbed a scarp piece of metal and pratice on it. do some spots and then lines, i was using a gas less welder mig 110 with .35 wire and went from spots to lines in about an hour. i still have more to learn but im starting.

Edited: 2/18/2006 9:49:32 PM by oldskool86

when i welded in filler plates on my s10 i had i dindt even need a contour tool or body hammer and that just tack it in take ur time is the main thing and metal will not warp..but like i said main thing is TAKE UR TIME dont rush..it took me bout and 1 and half to weld in both filler plates for the doors so..

Bodywork Welding/Shaving Tips Sent to me a while back by badfish57 on here, he went into some good detail.. I learned some good stuff from it. Check it out