welding cold sheet metal?

[emeraldcoupe]

I need to do a few patches on my project truck. the weather is getting cooler now so I was wondering if it's alright to weld on cold sheet metal? the temp has been in the mid 50's.

 

[malibu101]

I truly don't know
BUT here's my thought.

To melt metal (welding) is around 2000 degrees F.
So, no matter if the metal is 30 or 80 degrees. Taking it to 2000 degrees seems insignificant to me.

I'd love to hear the knowledgable answer though too.

 

[Buckgnarly]

50 is cold!?!?!....man, not sure I EVER get to weld metal over 50!

 

[APEowner]

No problem at all. Compared to the other temperatures involved that's nothing.

 

[Cypherian]

Hey,

Your not welding cast iron which is very temp sensitive more to the point it has to be heated up evenly and cooled evenly. Metals on vehicles is pretty dimensionally stable through out the norms of temperature on the ground. Basic primer on
http://www.scienceclarified.com/El-Ex/Expansion-Thermal.html and some numbers http://www.azahner.com/resources_thermal_movement.cfm
Cypher

 

[toofart]

That temperature shouldn't be a problem for the weld itself.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

50 is cold!?!?!....man, not sure I EVER get to weld metal over 50!

lol, yeah I remember New England winters.

figured I'd ask, I never heard anyone say don't do it, but never heard do it either,lol. better safe than sorry

thanks guys.

 

[dr_clyde]

My problem with welding cold metal, is that if the metal is cold, typically everything else is too. Welding in the snow *****.

It won't make a lick of difference for what you're doing. Weld er up.

 

[sberry]

On sheet it doesn't make much difference, can add to cold tack issues but as steel gets thicker it does become a problem.