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Posted by: Steve Jul 22 2012, 10:18 PM

Bought a Mig Welder!! Where is a good place to buy some sheet metal to practice on in Orange County, CA? I went to home depot and they only had 22 gauge and 16 gauge. I am looking for 18 and 20 gauge. Something similar to our cars.

Posted by: Elliot Cannon Jul 22 2012, 10:32 PM

Don't buy it from Home Depot. Find a steel supply place somewhere.

Posted by: Elliot Cannon Jul 22 2012, 10:34 PM

Try here. http://orangecounty.citysearch.com/profile/45488592/irvine_ca/industrial_metal_supply_co.html

Posted by: phatnine11 Jul 23 2012, 01:30 AM

look up a company by the name of Patton's Metal supply. They have several locations, find the one that is near you.
Cesar

Posted by: billh1963 Jul 23 2012, 04:44 AM

Are you telling us that you don't have a couple of parts cars to practice on?

Sacrilege!

Posted by: walterolin Jul 23 2012, 06:43 AM

I just went through this process, did some arc welding years ago but hadn't used gas before.

Don't buy the small gas cylinder, you'll use it fairly quickly and the unit cost for your gas is higher. Gas welds are cleaner than flux core, but flux can be used, at least on the underneath stuff that doesn't have to look pretty. If you use flux, don't buy the el cheapo wire - pay for the Lincoln.

Buy your steel at a supply house. They will probably have a scrap bin, and a 4x8 sheet of 16 gauge will run around $70.00. 20 gauge is a lot easier to bend but of course you can blow holes easier.

Posted by: Steve Jul 23 2012, 07:43 AM

Thanks everyone for the help!! I bought a Millermatic 140 and a 55 CFM bottle. My hatchback is too small for a bigger bottle. I live in So. Cal. 10 minutes from the beach in a zero property line home with no room for a parts car. For you people back east that means my neighbors house is one of my back yard walls. I could almost hand my neighbor a toilet paper roll through the bathroom window.

Posted by: infraredcalvin Jul 23 2012, 07:58 AM

QUOTE(Elliot Cannon @ Jul 22 2012, 09:34 PM)

Posted by: Smitty911 Jul 23 2012, 08:01 AM

QUOTE(infraredcalvin @ Jul 23 2012, 06:58 AM)

QUOTE(Elliot Cannon @ Jul 22 2012, 09:34 PM)

Try here. http://orangecounty.citysearch.com/profile/45488592/irvine_ca/industrial_metal_supply_co.html

This is where I get my stuff, kind of like candy store inside. Guys at the air gas in Santa Ana are really cool for the beginner, and might have some suggestions.

Good luck!

Posted by: Brian_Boss Jul 23 2012, 08:03 AM

If you go to real steel supplier, ask to look through their "drops" pile. These are the leftover bits from when they cut pieces to custom sizes. They are typically sold by the pound and significantly cheaper.

Posted by: r_towle Jul 23 2012, 08:15 AM

lookup a local machine shop and ask them for scraps.
I find its easier than getting the the steel supply shops before 5pm.

Also, look for dryers, washers, and old computer tower cases...all of those are cheap and easy to find.

We make it a practice to include one old computer case in each car somewhere..just to upgrade the technology.

cases are typically 18 gauge, so its plenty thick to practice on.

Rich

Posted by: Elliot Cannon Jul 23 2012, 09:22 AM

QUOTE(Steve @ Jul 23 2012, 06:43 AM)