Plug Welding Rear Floorpan, What Settings to Start With Options

[motorvated]

Getting ready to pull out the gas shielded Miller wire feed MIG welder to plug weld my new rear floorpan into my '72. I'll be practicing on some scrap metal first, but would like some opinions on MIG settings to start with. Specifically shield gas pressure, wire feed rate, and current settings. Plus since the car is on jack stands, and I'll be welding overhead, any helpful hints on how not to get splattered, burned, or otherwise tortured while under there would be helpful. I have the shield, gloves, and I'll wear leather wherever possible. Don't have the luxury of a rotisserie for this one.

[saigon71]

Your best bet for wire feed and amperage info should be with your welder as the settings may vary with different setups. I use a Hobart Handler 140. Inside the door there is a chart with recommended settings based on type of metal, material thickness and thickness of the welding wire. I found this chart to be an excellent starting point for setting up the MIG.

I believe floor pans are made from 18GA steel, so the settings for my Hobart using .030 wire are: heat setting 2, wire feed 30.

I set my regulator to 20PSI for the shielding gas on nearly all indoor work.

Welding upside down sucks. I would add a set of earplugs as well to your safety equipment. A friend of mine had some weld spatter fly into his ear and burned through his ear drum. As far as technique goes, try to position your body as far away from the welding area as possible and reach with one hand to the area you are welding.

Good luck with your project and keep us posted.