Hi All, Ineed to know if patch panelling should be done as an internal patch welded around the cut out area and filled later or to cut an exact panel to fit into the dimensions of the hole. Two panelbeaters have told me 2 different ways so i am a bit confused. I know lots of you out there have done this b4 so let me know which way to go. Thanx

I'd cut the patch to exactly fit the hole and butt weld it

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

Different horses for different courses I'm afraid.
You will probably get the same replies here as well. Some say do it this way, others will say do it the other way. Personally, either way is ok. The optimum way is to fit a perfect patch (as perfect as you can anyway), and watch for warping. GO SLOW YOUNG MAN!
As I said, either is acceptable, and niether is wrong, just depends on your skills and talent.
Just one opinion for you.
Cheers

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Chuck Norris is the only person alive who can kick you in the back of the face!!
mooo, I'm a pig!

Think im gunna need a better mig

I use a 150amp gas/gasless POS. It works ok. Remember that you are generally spotting, not running.
Kinda sound like you have the beginnings of diarhea!
If you have a gas/gasless setup, remember to use gas, as it produces less heat. Also, if you can, use a dissimilar metal blank behind your welds, as this will act as a heat sink, and not fuse to your weld. (i have even heard of people using ceramic.)

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Chuck Norris is the only person alive who can kick you in the back of the face!!
mooo, I'm a pig!

When I fit a patch, I cut the new piece with 1.5mm gap all round.clamp the piece in just to locate it, the use a LPG torch heat the panel and the insert up to get it to expand. The tack all round about 3/4 " apart while still heating. Then weld the patch in, this stops most of the warping due to heat expansion, and when the metal cools it will shrink. it is easier to stretch the metal to the required shape than to shrink.

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Research is the difference between speculation and investment. Anyone who copys some one else will always be second
www.minisprintgt.com

Is that any size patch David ? or is there a lower limit you wouldn't bother?

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

I do it on every piece I put in, especially if it is in a curved panel like guards. The insert finishes flatter than the original surface and then can be beaten out to the required shape.
If the piece is a long thin strip then start at one end a work along it doing each side bit by bit.

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Research is the difference between speculation and investment. Anyone who copys some one else will always be second
www.minisprintgt.com