WELDING QUESTION

[brielly]

I decided to weld some new metal in place on my floors behind the wheel wells. I bought a mapp gas/oxygen torch and have been practicing on some scrap metal. Ive noticed that the metal really distorts under the heat to the point where it looks like I may be taking a chance on ruining my floors(or at least the shape of the floors.) Anybody have any tips on keeping them from distorting. I was going to use a lap joint and hold the metal in place with pop rivets. Any other welding tips would be appreciated as well.Thanks

[JJK4666]

Do a search using these words. It is not that old.
"Any welders out there?"

[ March 31, 2003, 04:43 PM: Message edited by: JJK4666 ]

[Careful34]

I think you can lay wet clothes beside the weld as you're making it to soak up the heat. Been a while since I've tried it (got a mig welder :D but I started out with a MAPP set up!)

[FSJ Thing]

YEAH! Welding thin sheet metal with MAPP gas is a pain! What I do for OX/ACET (basically the same) is make sure you heat up the surrounding metal slowly, and cool it down slowly too, this will prevent it from distorting or at least keep it to a minimum. Also make sure that you got LOTS of ox bottles. I remember they run out pretty quick!