9 replies to this topic

[benallen]

hey, im in need of some advice on how to go about welding up the back end of my mini!

im replacing the rear valance, valance closing pannels and im fitting a full length boot floor repair pannel, the back body pannel also needs a small amount of patches,

what i need to know is how to weld up the 3 layer sandwich at the very back? is it best to weld the 2 top layers first then weld the valance on last?

some help would be great thanks

ben

[miniobsessed]

Best way would be to spot weld them like they were at the factory...

Failing that you could plug weld the panels together. I'd drill through the 'upright' panel and the boot floor panel with a 1/4" drill and then weld through onto the beaver panel.

[kez_19]

as above i would drill through the top panel and the bottom panel and leave the middle panel try to stagger the welds as much as possible so that you don't weld on to of another one to stop it from warping the panels

michael

[Ethel]

Make a hole and weld them all together, it will be stronger.

[benallen]

thanks for your replys guys, much appreciated!

however...they all say different things ,

miniobbsessed your saying drill though the top 2 layers n weld onto the bottom (by beaver pannel is that the valance??)
kez ur saying drill the top and bottom n weld to the middle n staggard. which to me sounds the best
n ethelyour saying drill though all 3.

i think either would be alright to be honest,

thanks again your replys!

ben

[Ethel]

You'd only need to drill/punch 2 of 3, distortion shouldn't be an issue - it's just the flanged edge.

The strength is in the flanges so join them directly together. The boot floor is a floppy filling in the sandwich.

[Sackboy]

I need to do this aswell in the coming weeks, let us know how you get on so I can learn from any mistakes you make! Cheers!

[SKIDDERWOLF]

Did this on mine drilled through the rear panel and boot floor and then plug welded to the valence, had it all clamped together beforehand.

[benallen]

I need to do this aswell in the coming weeks, let us know how you get on so I can learn from any mistakes you make! Cheers!

haha! sure thing

[sonikk4]

Did exactly the same thing drilled through the hinge panel flange and the boot section, clamped everything together and used a high setting on the mig to ensure proper welding. Space wise about an inch or so.