Mistakes were made

[Harpkatt]

I've got pretty good experience welding and purchased a fancy new tig machine. My first project was to install patch panels in my model a Roadster. Well experience on plate steel didn't quite transfer to old Ford Sheer metal. In short I warped and blasted a bunch of holes in the metal. I spent the new two weekends and two tanks practicing on thin metal.

My problem is, since I ruined the area above the patch I will have to fix that area before putting in the patch. I have a bead roller so I can remake the patch panel beads and go a little higher .The issue is there is a slight radius,actually two radii the a need be put into the patch to match the original steel.

This is where I'm a little stuck they are very very large radius and I don't have any good ideas how to put them into the panel or where to start.

I have a simple body hammer and a heel dolly. I thinking this is where to start.

As of now I'm a "youtube expert" (LOL) and have no hands on with metal shaping like this,This is the beginning of the rabbit hole for me.

I plan to purchase a Spoon in short order so maybe the will help.

[BTromblay]

Hi

Some pictures would help with answering your question. Hammers, dollys and the corner of the work bench could be just fine for what you are trying to do. To help practice with welding, set the current at 1amp per thousand of inch of material. (.040" thick = 40amps). This is a start point and adjust as needed. To simulate welding thinner/old material, use your hammer and dolly and thin the edge of your test coupon. Try to remember that the heat coming out of the TIG torch is directional, just as a open flame coming out of a oxy/acetylene torch. You want to try and favor the thicker of the two pieces of material with the heat from the torch. Welding is 10% knowledge and 90% practice, keep at it and you will figure it out.

Hope it helps.
B

[Gojeep]

With TIG the best way I found was to match the tungsten diameter to the same thickness as the sheet metal. Same goes with the filler rod should be the same or even slightly thinner. I use mig wire as a filler rod.

[ojh]

Find some .045 ER70S-2 welding rod, it flows at a lower temp and flexible. read thru the welding thread, lots to read about shrinkage and how to deal with it.

[Harpkatt]

I appreciate the pointers guy on the welding. what can I do to match the panel curve though? The shaping part itself is more my issue. I did read through a bunch of the welding and planishing threads they seem in line with other info Ive come across.

[metaldahlberg88]

Do you have any reference pics of the area you re trying to patch up?You say the panels have a very large radius. Can you clarify?

If you need to add a low crown to your panel you can do it with your hammer and dolly. On-dolly contact by the hammer will stretch the metal and create the crown if you systematically work the panel. If you need a higher crown in the panel then you can rough into a shot bag with a mallet, a stump, or do some tuck shrinking. Planish with dolly and maybe that spoon you mentioned you'd buy soon.