34 door help

[elwood]

Hey guys, Im repairing a set of doors, one of them the inner and outter skins are bad for around 2 to 3 inches up,
so i cut the skins off, as lest as possible, did the corner repairs, when test fitting the outter skin patch, and i can already tell that the outter skin on the door is wanting to curl inwards at the cut off.
how the heck do i get the original door metal to raise back up to meat the patch panel without having a dip at the seam ?

[David J]

You overlapping or butt welding ?

If overlapping small sheet metal screws along the edge as needed to keep it tight . Remove them as you go and weld the hole shut .

If butt welding small machine screws-nuts and small washers as needed and again remove as you go and weld hole shut .
This way you actually drill through the seam so half a hole on each panel .
Simpler than it sounds .
Also if butt welding a flat piece of copper behind really makes the weld easier .

[Zeke3]

Check out this Youtube video from Fitzee's Fabrications, he has some great looking tips on how to avoid the concern you have. I am a big fan of Fitzee's videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MPykdZF9YU

[eddie48]

Originally Posted by David J

You overlapping or butt welding ?

If overlapping small sheet metal screws along the edge as needed to keep it tight . Remove them as you go and weld the hole shut .

If butt welding small machine screws-nuts and small washers as needed and again remove as you go and weld hole shut .
This way you actually drill through the seam so half a hole on each panel .
Simpler than it sounds .
Also if butt welding a flat piece of copper behind really makes the weld easier .

Please explain more about using copper.

[Zeke3]

The weld won't stick to the copper, so the copper can be used to backup the seam of the two pieces being joined. I also use a flattened piece of copper tubing to backup holes when filling them or starting a weld at an edge.

[johnboy34]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Look up panel clamps, clecos, or just a couple strong magnets.

[eddie48]

Originally Posted by Zeke3

The weld won't stick to the copper, so the copper can be used to backup the seam of the two pieces being joined. I also use a flattened piece of copper tubing to backup holes when filling them or starting a weld at an edge.

Interesting... I'll have to try that, next time. Thanks.

[eddie48]

Originally Posted by elwood

Hey guys, Im repairing a set of doors, one of them the inner and outter skins are bad for around 2 to 3 inches up,
so i cut the skins off, as lest as possible, did the corner repairs, when test fitting the outter skin patch, and i can already tell that the outter skin on the door is wanting to curl inwards at the cut off.
how the heck do i get the original door metal to raise back up to meat the patch panel without having a dip at the seam ?

I just finished the doors on my 34 pickup. I replaced the skin from just below the ribs down. The ribs held the shape well so I could butt weld the new piece in. No warp at all.