Factory 1934 Ford (and other) body panel "welding"

[95476]

I have been doing metal work on '33-40 Fords for about 40 years.
Looking at my latest project I am wondering what process Ford used to "fuse" body sections together.
Specifically I am looking at the cowl top to sides joint. It is not but welded, lap welded, or flanged. It looks like some type of fusion weld.
I know that technology was not around back then.
The joint I am referring to is on either side on the windshield posts and goes all the way up into the cowl/ firewall area.
There is no lead or any type of filler, just a tight well matched joint.
Does anyone know how they did it ?

[cas3]

the same on the back panel of my 34 tudor. just a perfect seem only visible on the inside. funny looking "bead" like i've not seen on other welding processes, how did they do it?

[petehoovie]

Pictures?

[rotorwrench]

You would be surprised what types a welding were in use as far back as the Model A era. The 28/29 fuel tank is a classic example. Also keep in mind that Ford wasn't the only company manufacturing bodies for the Ford vehicles in that time frame. Murray, Briggs, & Budd all made bodies & cabs as well as some other outsource suppliers for less complete assemblies.

[34pickup]

So, no one knows??

[5851a]

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Would it have been some type of rotary weld? Like around the outside edge of a fuel tank?

[19Fordy]

How about induction welding?

[Bob NH]

If you can borrow a copy of Lorin Sorenson's "Ford Factory" you will find great pictures of bodies and panels in jigs and show welding processes . Might give you good clues how things were done back in the day.

[Mart]

I think, (not 100% sure) they are interference welds. (May have the name wrong).

Then panels are held in a massive jig, large amounts of electricity applied, and then panels get pushed together by the jig, instantly fusing where they make contact. There would be a small buildup on both sides of the new join, you can see the buildup on the inside, the outer side would have been linished off at the factory.

Can't see anything using google as it comes up with references to rf interference.

Mart.

[51 MERC-CT]

It's called 'Flash butt welding'. And the process was around before Ford cars were.
The same way I weld my band saw blades.
The same way pipes that are not seamless are welded.(or used to be)
Seem to recall seeing an old auto factory movie where it was being done.
An interesting use of the process on train rails and wheel rims -------

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCLPm33aTdw


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9ZS47PRaD8

[34PKUP]

Originally Posted by 95476

I have been doing metal work on '33-40 Fords for about 40 years.
Looking at my latest project I am wondering what process Ford used to "fuse" body sections together.
Specifically I am looking at the cowl top to sides joint. It is not but welded, lap welded, or flanged. It looks like some type of fusion weld.
I know that technology was not around back then.

As previously stated the 'flash butt welding' technology was around long before Henry built the first model T.

[Mart]

Thanks for stating the correct name. I could remember the process, but not the name. Yes, a common application is a bandsaw blade welder. It's a big step up from a bandsaw blade to a body panel, which might give you an idea of how powerful and strong Henry's jigs were.

Mart.

[tubman]

Isn't there also a similar "mystery" about the "tin-sides" were welded to the cast iron blocks on the earlier V8-60's?"

[Newc]

Hi; There is also a process of rotary spot welding where rotating small wheels press the metal together as the electric charge is applied... You can see this on the edge seams of gas tanks. Newc

[32Bee]

I think that process is also referred to as resistance welding. The 1932 4 cyl.
and early V8 mufflers were welded that way. No filler material was used to
accomplish this.

[Mart]

I witnessed the same rotary spot welding as an apprentice at the Austin factory at Longbridge 40 plus years ago.

The roof panels on the Minis were welded like that. I think they referred to it as stitch welding, which may or not have been the correct technical term but was what they called it there on the line.

The wheels rotated slowly and applied quite a bit of pressure, while the electric pulsed so it created a row of overlapping spot welds.

Mart.

[McCready]

Like this

[RalphM]

Gotta love the safety gear those guys are wearing.

[Mart]

Brilliant shot. Like I said, it's quite a step up from a bandsaw blade welder! Exactly the same principle though.

Mart.