How to Butt Weld Sheet Metal 🔥 (the right way vs the wrong way)

[@dreemz57]

Thankyou im 65 and this old dog just learned a new trick!

[@bkon4675]

So I've watched a half dozen others demos welding sheet metal, and Chad is the only one explaining how and why it's necessary to have the gap. I'm probably twice Chad's age, and in another life, I did body work, a lot of brazing, and lead metal finishing. Wire feed wasn't a thing, yet or it wasn't in common use for sheet metal. Got a project coming up .This is going to help a lot!!

[@spanionneo]

Best demonstration of why the gap is better. Thank you !

[@Luke-u9r]

Came here for a small welding tip and now i'm here for life

[@queenie7434]

Hi Chad and Jolene. I watch with my husband daily. It's great that you show your own HUMANITY to us all and that everyone makes mistakes and your WILLENESS to show COMPASSION to your friends your love for Jolene and the PASSION to learn and let us all share the processes of your thoughts that make your build so interesting and keep us watching daily. Keep up the GREAT work.

[@elcukro]

Chad thank you for going to this level of detail with simple and no-bs explanations. Great content as per usual

[@williamburdon6993]

Jolene is actually a fine welder, it's amazing how good of a job she does with so little actual hands on experience. Well done Jolene .

[@chikokishi7030]

I love the joleen compliments. Makes the video feel so wholesome. You can tell that even when focused on something, shes still on his mind.

[@168charger]

Thx Chad. Always wrenched on cars since I was 15. Just took up welding now. I'm 64. (Always learning) Very informative vid.

[@bugman72]

I've posted this several times before, but watching Chad's videos has given me a great deal of confidence and insight into my own projects. And Jim said it perfectly in the last video...people can become experts without lifting a hand by watching Chad's videos. :) We are in the process of putting hood scoops from a 94-96 Firebird into a '93 Chevy truck hood and this video is very helpful in seeing just how beneficial having the gap is to get good weld penetration.

[@dwaynechatman8655]

as a new welder/ car customizer, you my brother, have explained exactly how i need to sort my shit out. i have a ton of rust i need to replace with good sheet. but you have made it a ton easier, i feel so much more confident in this process...

[@garycarraigeacha8794]

Guzzi Fabrication

[@austincrowley1228]

chad is a great teacher always explains why he does things the way he does

[@99kevin99]

An artist discussing his art and educating the next generation...nothing finer!

[@kwikslvr73]

Thanks for taking the time to show us all you do

[@ToastyToastiness-z3x]

This is great, I'm glad I watched this. I'm literally welding a patch panel on my car this weekend, and I was literally planning to have no gap because I thought it might be easier and cleaner. But this shows all the reason to have a small gap. Thank you

[@Keixer]

Thanks for the video. I am in my 50’s and took an adult welding class. Have been having a lot of fun. I have made some trophies for some local car shows. I have wasted a lot of time re-welding after grinding things smooth and having the joint pop apart. I will be leaving that gap in the next few models I make. You have potential saved me hours of work. Thanks.

[@garybarry4446]

Love your teaching this way so all can learn these simple techniques

[@andyallgood7307]

I’m 68 and have just welded two pieces of scrap metal with my new mig welder. I’ll be replacing the front lower fenders(rusted out) on my 72 C20 soon. I’m confident the replacements will look beautiful by following your tips of the trade. LMC provided the bottom pieces for each side and by leaving a gap and clamping them, going slowly, cooling as I go I’ll be successful. I’m excited even though the finished product will actually be hidden behind the front bumper haha! Closing holes in the doors on each side 1/2-3/4” from towing mirrors is next on the list, I look forward to your help. Formerly an entomologist/exterminator/teacher of the sciences I will have to say you are a fantastic instructor. Thank You!

[@charlesbuckner3704]

Some people Chad do the work and they never steer you in the right way to do the work I walked I worked in a body shop and the owner wanted me to do all his dirty work but he never showed me how to weld or even how to do body work so I had to look on so with you you show how it's done and it's well appreciated

[@garyhelms1889]

20 seconds after watching another video by another shop guy I started this video. In his video he demonstrated putting in a patch panel where a side marker was on an old Chevy truck. Butt welded that is. Of course he recommended getting the fit as tight as possible. Now I watch this video where a gap is recommended with the demonstration as to why. I' m about to buy a welder and start learning. After this video I'll leave a gap.

[@ericnoble3285]

Thanks for taking the time to explain everything. I’m new to welding, restoring an old 75 El Camino and she needs a lot of welding. This is exactly what I needed to see on fixing many many parts. It’s also going to be very useful for when I have to fabricate the entire rear bed including all the supports since they don’t make any of that for this generation Camino. I did some test welds after watching this and had similar results. Thank you, I’ll be checking in for all kinds of tips now!

[@elwyns2258]

Love the way you explain stuff so all people will be able to understand. Usually just watch what you're building, very unique vehicles. Job well done. Liked seeing Jolene at the World of Wheels in Winnipeg MB, just a gorgeous women.

[@paullydca]

Super helpful thank you!!!! This explains so much of why my welds fail as well looking chunky. Heading toward rust repairs on my jeep this spring, I'm making my patches and putting a gap in now. Game changing tip!

[@charlielemmons5525]

Great to see Queen Jolene welding today. The cover for the console turned out awesome. Can't wait to see it painted.

[@velixzeen]

I'm wondering if it is painted and will search for it.

[@djperry6787]

I appreciate the video, and the explanation, and the demonstration. I watched something last night to learn how to do butt welds right, and the person was an excellent welder fabricator. But there was no gap between the two pieces of steel. And I was doing something exactly the same (a butt weld) the day before, with no training. But having a gap between the two pieces of steel for my molten weld pool to harden and bond them together, and be really strong, just made sense to me. So that was how I did it. Thanks for confirming how you do it, I completely agree with that method. I'm a crappy welder, by the way, but I'm practicing, and trying to do better welding. Thank you again, Daniel

[@glennfaulds4665]

The two of you are very very talented and very informative down to earth people. Thanks Glenn

[@djpaulk]

Jolene done a great job. Nice to see you exposing all the myths... Straight into it... Good demo Chad 👍🇭🇲

[@richardoliver1303]

You have the best welding school. Every American should learn welding- from you

[@victoroneill7924]

I'm glad I found this video! I'm about to weld some patch panels and was going to butt weld them like a lot of welding videos show. Now I'll leave a gap between the patch panel and and the original sheet metal.

[@ka4hpy]

Great information, Chad. Wish I had a teacher like you when I got started back in 1970... retired now...enjoy your work!

[@johnfarney5328]

I've watched dozens of vids from all sorts of youtubers on paint and body, never seen this fantastic tip before. Thank you!!!

[@bobbyholden5389]

As a man looking to start car fab this is such a good demonstration of what that difference makes thank you

[@billarroo1]

I was a bodyman in the 60's & 70's, mostly before Mig Wire welding, we used oxy/acetylene to weld. 1/4 panels, tops, etc. With a LOT of warppage. A technique we used was called " hammer welding", after. Intermittent welds the metal would be reheated ON the beads then hammered and dollied to remove most of the warpage, then, finished welding and re hammer and dolly, even with Mig the metal can still warp, There is a product I used with very good results, it *s a "heat damn", it was made of clay and asbestos, it is illegal now, but can be made at home, with clay and finely ground kitty litter, mixed with water to make a paste, Place a 1/2" high by 1" wide damn 3/8" away from the weld seam, it can be resoaked with a spray bottle. And is reusable, it worked well for me. I like your channel, keep it going.

[@anemone104]

Thank you for this post. I have welded up a lot of cheap old cars to keep them on the road so I can drive them and have always taken pains to get my let-in sections closely fitting with no gaps. Nothing has ever let go, but I'm going to have to change what I do.

[@artjones2498]

i try to watch every thing you do.....the way you do your work is great....simple but sound technics and honest.....which to me counts the most....by far the best teacher in my book

[@eddiejeselink2996]

Man, I'm aboutto put a patch panel on my Mustang and your videos is amazing. Thanks yall.

[@dyingforpie6879]

Thanks bud im not an experienced welder just a hands on learn as i go . Countless arguments from people telling me i gotta flange everything or overlap or butt it tight but logic seem to me to have a slight gap and then bam! I see this video im not crazy after all well ok im crazy but filled with confidence as i move forward on my restore.

[@ronaldsteveson76]

Never been the biggest fan of the "Custom" scene but you sir are a great teacher and master at fabrication 😎👍

[@billquantrill4960]

Same here, in fact I'm a "bone stock" fudd, but I admire the fabrication skills and knowledge sharing. Good suff.

[@mikejanes6225]

Your demonstration between gap and no gap welding is very good.

[@RaulRodriguez-m1r]

Best welding teacher ive seen explains everything

[@A65Bill]

Very helpful thanks, I had to discover this on my own some years ago. Pay attention people, this couple are good and explain it well with no editing tricks.

[@rob6543]

Just came across this for the first time thanks for the lesson 👏🇦🇺and your right time is worth more than money as you find this out when you lose love ones

[@kevinmaher813]

Thanks for the welding lesson, used gas and electrode in the past; after watching you I've progressed to mig and your tips have proved to be very useful.

[@TheMuddman74]

Gas and electrode? What? I'm guessing you mean stick/SMAW when you say electrode? What do you mean by gas? MIG uses shielding gas (solid core), TIG uses gas, Oxy-Acetylene with rod obviously uses gas.

[@StevePhillips]

I never would have thought of that, I was taught just put two pieces of metal together touching and weld them together. Thank you both nicely presented tutorial video.

[@edwilliams8218]

It takes more talent to teach your skills than to apply your skills.excellent teacher!!!!!! Ed

[@jasonhenderson6544]

I like how he explains why the purpose of what hes doing. Have a good thanksgiving.

[@one62projects]

This video is my favorite one...I'm a hobbyist with a cheap welder learning welding teck...planning on getting a new one with a tank soon...but wanted to thank you for passing on the smarts yo have

[@timeberhardt2633]

This is Tim from Iowa I just recently bought one of your new shirts with you it's with you and your fiance in it in it I can't wait to be here I like watching you fabricate 2 different things you're an awesome guy bad Chad

[@matthewknepp5244]

Just wanted to say thanks for a clear demonstration to settle the gap/no gap arguments.

[@dvernst]

Damn dude. Thank you! Seems so simple now. I've been killing myself doing body work, and grinding smooth. Old metal on vehicles seems to blow out instantly when there's a gap, but maybe it's because of flux core welder. But not going to stop perfecting it. Thank you again! 💪

[@amateurmakingmistakes]

Thanks, Chad. I've recently started using a MIG welder and have learnt another trick here from you through this video! Goodonya, mate!

[@kulan9379]

Thats why i started to love that i did go TIG welding and tack it one tack every cm all the way the seam is. Then grind the tacks down and then try to do the entire seam in one go and allow it to warp a bit. Just take a hammer and dolly and hit the seam and it will "un-warp". Only if i cant acces the backside of the panel i am worried of warpige.

[@jimvanaert4409]

Love the way you always compare your beautiful work with Jolene. I’ve been using that on my wife, and it works great.

[@vwdrvrfoundat420]

I'm new to welding,and these little tips go a long way in helping me out.

[@roymartinez2230]

Thanks for the advice I’m just getting into welding and it was something I always wanted to do never heard the gap in between and thanks I’ve seen many people cars rust and break apart at welds and didn’t know why but know I see thanks again I love to get it right and you’ve taught me what many are not trying to do which is have things last and I like to do it the best way and thanks you’ve made my day I’m about to repair my car

[@TheKylecrx]

Thanks for this video. I'm doing floor pans in my truck for the first time and looking for pointers. I'm definitely going to be sure to have a gap after watching you do that bend test.

[@NatS8445]

Simple, very helpful advice, just getting started doing this sort of thing with exterior auto panels so I will keep all of this in mind!

[@johnhazard5231]

Right on Chad taken us to school. Jolene is ahead of the curve when it comes to welding with the mig.

[@rafterL78]

I've always wondered why the gap. It goes against all I've heard about butting up tight. Great explanation, thanks.

[@Tjones87]

Every episode there's something new to learn. Always appreciate how Chad explains how & why...keep it up 👍

[@edbrenner458]

It's pretty good how you showed how the world like that other people don't do that it just slap it on there and go now you take your time show people how to do it people learn better thanks Chad

[@scottmartin356]

Jolene been learning lots of good practical car skills to go along with her excellent video work- good to see her featured for that! She wields a mean torch, so... Bad Chad and Mean Jolene, the Legend Continues!!

[@colletteodonoghue5940]

I'd love to learn to weld. Leaving a gap was counter intuitive, but then made perfect sense!

[@dwainbabcock6752]

Finally you put a video out on this lol i’m pretty sure most of us viewers have been waiting for this thanks so much chad 👍

[@michaelszczys8316]

Where I work we have a lot of thin sheet steel in rolls for stampings. The largest are about 18" wide so occasionally I need something wider so I have to butt weld some together. I use a TIG welder and can't usually put clamps on except at the start so after getting a good start with the metal right together I just put weights to keep it even and the shrinking welds keep it tight together. It's thin , only 1/16" so it welds good with no gap.

[@howardmarshall5713]

thankyou chad and jolene for the welding lesson. ordinary everyday people could now have a go with a bit more confidence.

[@johnmclaren7059]

Well I’ve ATTEMPTED welding lol now that Iam a retired guy with time on my hands I’ll start practicing! Hope the price of metal doesn’t go up cuz I’ll need a lot ! Thanks Chad! Keep on zappin 👍🇨🇦

[@richardhattan2588]

Thanks for Explaining the difference between the two welds

[@Metalsuitman]

Thanks Brad and Jolene for your welding class. So helpful.

[@kevinanderson7555]

1yr on and ive just watched this one.... excellent tutorial Chad👍

[@baldanddangerous1572]

Excellent tutorial for beginner welders and pros alike thanks chad an jolene

[@reneekrueger962]

I never thought I'd see the day when you are butt welding. 6 months ago you were stacking 3 or 4 pieces of rusty metal and welding it together. Good for you.

[@edgarasvas]

When welding without gap, you had to increase amps a bit for better pen. If you weld with a gap, metal shrinks and warps a lot deforming part very much. A lot of work later straightening

[@MrMgmram]

As a beginner this definitely will help with my project! Thank you Chad.

[@mark110101]

Another great lesson on welding, and very good info on why the first weld failed

[@scottmartin356]

And really helped to bring it together to see you sitting in the driver seat- was thinking the steering wheel was too steep an angle, but looks okay with you there for reference

[@mintac3672]

As a VERY new welder... Great content! I have to add new cab corners on my Silverado and plan on doing allot of practice before getting into the truck.

[@fredhoman6101]

short but great video again,showing us how to butweld sheetmetal together,also nice to see Jolene in front of the camera again for a while,thanks for sharing,keep up the good work you're doing

[@donmelvin7102]

That's a good tip about leaving a gap between panels when welding.

[@richardpilatich2691]

Great to see spring is around the corner, will be painting my 1935 ford truck this spring.

[@trailermeat1424]

Love what your doing with Elvis and the bad engine rebuilder stuff

[@bradbaker2512]

Thanks for all of these videos. We all appreciate it

[@michaeln7305]

Cool video. Currently restoring a '74 Celica that I bought specifically to have a go at car metalwork & welding since I've watched 100's of videos of other guys doing it like yourself. It's going very well, & noticed early on it's better to make a patch panel that has abit of a 'loose' fit rather than a no-gap 'perfect' fit, otherwise seems the metal stretches when welding & you end up fighting with it & having to make a relief cut etc.

[@bdpgarage]

You could also turn the heat up on the panels without a gap and linger a bit longer on the weld bead until you see the puddle wet out a bit. That’ll usually ensure the penetration is good. Sometimes you need to turn the wire speed down a touch.

[@BlueMacGyver]

I am glad someone else realized that. I butt them up right against each other. The heat divides the peices, kinda like thin walmart bag plastic pealing back away from a flame.

[@3.0colorado21]

I tend to have it want to blow through when I linger on sheet metal, at least 20g.

[@bdpgarage]

@@3.0colorado21 when I say linger, I mean like .05 micro seconds longer. It should be instantaneous. You can’t linger on it like you do at the grocery store.

[@3.0colorado21]

@@bdpgarage shit I wish I could linger at the grocery store. I forgot, talking to people that weld on the Internet is like talking to a gay narcissist with an ego the size you wish your penis was.

[@bosqueboys]

Warp it real good

[@TrashcanGarage]

Didn't know gaps were good and why. This changes things. Thanks!

[@naterose929]

Thank you Chad! New to the whole car resto, and welding. This explained a lot!

[@davidelack8809]

I echo the sentiments of many who thank you for being a teacher!

[@tedhewitt4299]

This was a very good demonstration. I would not have thought the joint would break so quickly.

[@timmcdaniel5655]

Thank you Chad and Jolene for everything that you do. I love your videos

[@neomatrix2722]

Thank you for sharing Chad and Jolene I'm starting to learn this as I'm starting to work on my truck I super appreciate all your videos and your time

[@BellozeCountry]

Most excellent techniques bro. I'm a novice welder and i recently welded on an 88 crx n my gap was an 1/8 on all sides and i was worried but your explanation was comforting because the gap made it stronger. I've been schooled! 😊

[@garyholmes2334]

That is the best center console I have ever seen, nice work

[@paulhutchinson1795]

Thank you you're a great teacher i think you should do a series of educational videos i know i would watch them many times

[@georgegallardo9551]

Thank you for answering a question I’ve had for years 👍🏼

[@ralphmcculley2085]

Thanks Chad going to start a multi-year project this will be the second time ground up restoration of my 61 Chevy panel truck will be collecting my hand tools and making a few tools a shrinking tool a hemispherical wood anvil and some other radius shapes and a break this will be the first time for me for cutting body panels hand forming replacement panels I know it'd be a lot easier just to buy the parts on L&M more like classic it just means a little more to make these parts by hand you guys have a a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

[@brianhackettZ06]

I did not know this . Thanks Chad . I just found your channel on you tube and I love this content .

[@jlopez5363]

Thank you Chad. Good explanation of how to weld. Been learning how to fabricate metal on my hot rod. Love your show.

[@gordonmcveigh5302]

thanks chad ,great job jolene , watching every day guys thanks

[@Hugister]

Good teaching, Chad. Important to see the difference.

[@herraman2244]

My favorite build channel.