I'm pretty handy with oxy- used to build race car spaceframes back in the early 70s using nickel bronze wire. Lovely stuff..
Not bad at brazing A series heads up when I've ported them too far, either.
And I've done a lot of aluminium MIG.
But my TIG is average. Not enough practice.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Out of all the types of welding (yes I've done em all, alot) I find tig gives the neatest welds. If you want to test your oxy skills try making copper shower trays outa .4mm copper sheet

By the way guys the guy I buy metal off said the same thing about welding gal "Have a glass of milk before you start". I thought he was taking the piss I ended not using it...I'd love to TIG but they're quite expensive aren't they? Also used the gasless mig to weld patches over my rusty wheel well, and it worked a charm this time but when I did the same thing outside (it is fluxcore), the welds were crap? Major blowthru, is it possible that things are much colder now (inc the metal) I'm in Canberra and it is now minus 1-2 when I head in the shed...

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225hp atw on 14psi. 1/4 Mile no idea. Take one 1971 Mini Clubman, one Starlet GT Halfcut, Simmer over a warm MIG Welder, and Voila Minstar! www.mpdesign.id.au

All Australian Standards & American welding codes specify preheating prior to welding.
We don't usually need to (except for 20mm plate & up), but I would recommend you at least take the "chill" out of the plate for a good strong weld.

This doesn't mean you need to run an oxy over your car, even a small fan heater would be OK. The parent metal warms up once you have started welding (obiously),so I would guess that it's more likely to be technique than the cold.

Jeez I miss living in Canberra

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Too many cars, and too little time.

No ya don't Mike...minus two this morning ...here we go

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"Show me the Mini!"