Holding panels together during butt welding can be a challenge. Special so called butt weld clamps are on the market to cure this problem. But they create problems, a HUGE GAP. Often times the gap they create is almost as big as the metal's thickness, not good. A proper butt weld should little no gap, the most gap you should have is the thickness of the filler material, MIG wire is .023.
One can use cleco clamps to hold a sheet metal patch together when butt welding and here is how you do it. The result is a no to very little gap joint, and no special high dollar clamps that create more work.
I use 3/32 clecos, the smallest size they make I have found.
Here is what the cleco and cleco pliers look like for those who dont know.
[IMG]http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/26856/2895715800102553149S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG]A great tool to have, its a Roper Whitney hand punch. It can punch various size holes in metal perfect for plug welding. I will use it to make plugs, more on that later.
[IMG]http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/17523/2420560120102553149S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG]If you have an air flanger and hole puncher it too works. I found mine doesnt punch to well in 18ga metal and other reasons I dont prefer using this tool to punch my plugs.
[IMG]http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/45984/2829665040102553149S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG]Holes left after using the Roper Whitney punch.
[IMG]http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/44736/2229352750102553149S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG]These are what am after. Once you punch a hole you get a small metal plug, these plugs are used with the cleco to hold the panels together. I will punch several plugs.
[IMG]http://inlinethumb34.webshots.com/43361/2600924650102553149S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG]
