"Ray and Clarsen3100...I kept my dad's oxy-acetylene welder when he moved into a nursing home. What rod did you use or was it just wire? I assume a small tip...just like brazing?"
Good morning Rocky.
In 1967 when I was a college kid I had a summer job welding headers at Doug's Headers, now known as Doug Thorley Headers. There I got to see the equipment and techniques the pros use. This is the style torch handle they use:
https://store.cyberweld.com/vitohaj28lid.htmlIt is small and light weight so you can weld all day without any strain, and importantly for body work, the knobs are at the top, not the bottom. That makes it easy to turn off the torch instantly with one hand when doing things like metal shrinking that requires putting down the torch and picking up the shrinking tools while the metal is still red hot. Even though this torch handle is small it takes a wide range of tips as well as a cutting attachment. I have tips down to size 000 but as I recall I used tip 00 for welding on body panels. That's not a reliable recollection because that work was done so long ago, about 50 years.
Most oxy-acetylene welding rigs have big, bulky "manly man" torch handles with the knobs at the bottom, near where the hoses connect. That heavy construction is strictly for appearance and would give a welder a pretty sore wrist if it were used continuously for an 8 hour shift.
If you're going to weld on your vehicle body panels I'd suggest practicing on scraps first until you have total control over the weld puddle and can add rod seamlessly. That comes with practice, especially on vertical surfaces. That 3500 degree F flame can do a lot of damage in a big hurry if you don't have it totally under control.
I know some people weld with stuff like coat hangers but actual welding rods are inexpensive and available in a variety if sizes. For body panels and exhaust tubing I use 1/16".
Have fun!
Ray W
