gramps

Hi, I just wandered in here from cyberspace, and it looks real nice. I'm getting back into something I learned a little bit about thirty years ago. I worked in an iron shop for a few years, then went on to do carpentry and other things for about thirty. Now I find myself in cahoots with some iron fanatics. I've done a lot more welding than forging, but I'm looking forward to being taught by all you younguns. Maybe I can be of some help as well.

Hi, I'm new here, but I think I can help. Many years ago my brother told me to back up thin sheet metal with copper. One day at the junk man I spotted a piece of copper bus bar, it's about 3" wide and 3/8" think, so I bought it. Put the copper behind the sheet metal and it will absorb a lot of heat so you don't blow through, and the weld won't stick to the copper. I usually use a mig welder because it's a lot easier than stick on thin material and produces less heat then gas welding. The hardest part is probably finding the copper in the first place. Give it a try.