I've been told the "hot tip" for installing patch panels, is to load a wire feed welder with brazing wire. Theory being that you can get a good joint without applying too much heat, and worrying about distortion.

Anybody tried this?
Does it result in a good, strong joint?
Know where to buy brazing wire on a spool?
Other thoughts?

Many thanks,
mark.
'71 Chevelle Fodor
Two Tone -- Brown & Rust

If you have a wire feed welder, why weld with a dis-similar metal?!? You're better off welding with mild steel wire.

I've never heard of brass wire for a wire feed welder. That doesn't mean it doesn't exist, or that what you're suggesting can't be done. But this sort of repair is done all the time with mild steel, gas shielded wire. With the proper technique, you won't distort the metal.

I have always heard that you dont want to use brazing wire to hang quarter panels. It was pretty common "back then" but over a short amount of time the paint would "mysteriously" lift at the joint. The wire is oil impreginated and will weep for some time, thus resulting in the paint lifting, and sometines the brazed joint cracking at the seam. Wire feed is really a good way of doing sheet metal. If you stitch weld an inch at a time, spaced a foot apart , you shouldnt get any warpage. It might take a little time, But it's worth it!

On a similar note I have a welding manual that suggests using LTEC "Easy grind" MIG welding wire for body work. Sounds like a softer steel. The local welding supply told me they never heard of it. Anyone familiar with it?

at my work we have a bodyshop,
they have a mig welder that has a
different wire and they say that it`s
primary for the rust (u know steel cancer).Maybe it dosent create
so much heat as the steel wire?

Go here for the specs for wire welding: http://content.lincolnelectric.com/pdfs/products/literature/c410.pdf


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Bob McCormick
69 Malibu project

About a year ago Street Rodder had an article about mig welding with silicon bronze, you needed to use argon gas along with that wire. I looked into the easy grind wire at my local welding supply, it costs about three times as much as regular wire.