Need advice on replacing body panel

[Slednut]

I’m about to cut this out and didn’t know if I should cut on the crease at the top or a little below it.

 

[brownbagg]

the car show on TNN, and also DVD at eastwood by the same guy. He always cut on the high creese. but you can watch the you tube video on this subject. the guy name is kevin tetz. saerch that name at you tube

 

[MP&C]

While the crease will help to keep the panel from moving, the crease has to be there still. Welding two panels together AT THE CREASE will cause shrinking at the crease, changing it's shape and size (length), causing a low. You want to be close to the crease that it helps to hold the panels shape, but far enough away that the HAZ does not encroach on the crease as now it would again be shrinking and changing shape. Weld a test panel that mimics the weld that will occur on your panel. Duplicate all aspects, such as panel thickness, your test panel should be supported in free air, just like your quarter, and not laying on a steel welding table acting as a heat sink. Perform the weld on the test panel to see how wide the HAZ is going to be with that weld procedure. Now measure from the weld center to the outside of the HAZ, add 1/4 to 1/2" to this distance, and this total will be will be your distance from the crease for the trim/cut line. This should keep any heat shrinking effects from changing the crease, and keep the weld seam far enough away to be able to planish out the shrinkage.

If you haven't read the patch panel thread yet, check it out, there are plenty of hints in there as well:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53534

 

[Slednut]

Thanks guys I watched some youtube vids and started going through the patch panel thread.

I will cut below the crease, probably an inch. I’ve been tacking and using air to cool the welds as I go.

Call me crazy but I bought a Miller 211 Wednesday and have never mig welded before. I have done a lot of gas welding/brazing (bike building).

I was able to replace the rusted inner and outer fender (wheel house) over the weekend. I really like the mig welder.

I built some templates before I started.

 

[mrolds88]

Regardless of above or below the crease, make sure you get to solid metal. This will dictate where the final cut goes.cut some then get a look on the inside by whatever means.

 

[HMCFab9]

I'd cut it below the crease, but check the fit of the replacement panel before cutting anything.