How To Prep a Patch Panel for Welding

Perfect Panel Prep Tool

Eastwood Pneumatic Perfect Panel Prep Tool

The Eastwood Pneumatic Perfect Panel Prep Tool® is an exclusive patent-pending design, which easily provides a perfectly beveled 45° weld-prepped edge in 20 or 18 Gauge sheet metal to achieve solid, full-penetration MIG or TIG butt welds.

  • Each strike forms a perfect 0.062” x 45° beveled flange
  • Works great on 20 to 18 gauge
  • Proper weld-prepped edges allow strong, flush, crack-free welds in sheet metal
  • The convenient hole punch feature provides clean, burr-free 0.19” holes

A must for the beginning welder and professional alike. Minimizes blow through and warpage when joining panels. Great for patch panels or full quarter panel replacement. Simply cut patch or full panel. Overlay panel over the repair area, scribe and cut panel on vehicle and use the Pneumatic Weld-Prep tool to create the “perfect weld edge”. The formed edge of both panels is now created that will accept the full penetration MIG or TIG bead with almost no post grinding or leveling minimizing warpage and crack potential around your repair. Patent Pending.

Developed for the novice and professional MIG and TIG welder. Eastwood new Perfect Panel Prep Tool® quickly and easily creates the exact 0.062-inch length x 45° offset needed for full penetration welding in 22 to 18 gauge materials assuring structurally sound and invisible welds — even for beginners! You are assured of full material thickness after the repair and elimination of the cracking and paint-related issues. With the 3 16 inch punch function the double-action head swivels to let you create edges and holes from any angle with just a squeeze of the handle.

View Eastwood Pneumatic Perfect Panel Prep Tool Instructions

Review by The Fab Forums