Just as general advice, if you butt weld you should try to avoid to put the welds in the corners where bends are. Try to extend it up something like 1/2-3/4 of an inch into the bended area, gives higher stability to these patched areas.
You mentioned you use weld primer in overlapping areas already I think, which is a good idea; never had any rust issues again with such preparation.
Thanks for the advice, advice turns you from a novice to an expert (eventually LOL), I will use what you have told me when I do the next patch, another of the things this forum is great for.
And yes I have been using the Weld-thru (or so the can has it spelled) primer on all the overlaps and any area that is cover after the patch is welded in, I intend to protect my invest of time and labor.
It's fun. You use a lot of words you wouldn't use in mixed company.
I can vouch for that, I've had a few fly out when I caught my glove on fire that would bring a truck stop to a screeching hault, with one trucker looking at you and saying
"Watch your language, there's mechanics in here for christ sake"
On the subject of welders, and the easiest way to learn,
Buy a good quality welder (mine is a reboxed version of the Lincoln Electric Mig Pak 10, it's a 110 Volt, 100 AMP)
if your only doing a bit of welding the 110 Volt will do, especially if your welding off site, because not every place has 220 Volt.
Buy your bottle, like Stan mentioned, its easier,
On the subject of gas, you can buy Argon, but it's very expensive, and Mixed welding gas does very well, MAP does well but is also expensive.
Invest in a good Auto-darkening helmet, passive helmets are a ***** when your doing a lot of welding.
Nick
