Best Welds
Posted by admin on Friday, February 26, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Whats the best way to weld an extension to a vertical column?
I have a steel 4" square vertical column that needs to have a 3ft extension added to it. Would the best way to be insert a smaller square piece 18" into the existing and 18" into the extension, then plug weld at each end then butt weld the two outer pieces? Any flaws in this?
Bill G gives good advice.
Here are a few more tips.
You might want to bevel the two adjoining ends of tubing with a grinder before you weld. (Unless it's thinner than 1/8") I always do when I make a butt splice like that; gives you full, consistent penetration.
If distortion is a concern, then I'd forgo the inner tube. Instead, I'd get two lengths of heavy 90 angles, or something, then clamp those to adjacent sides and use that to fit-up the extension. Swap them around when you weld the other two sides to prevent warping. Restraint is your friend.
IF you aren't concerned about a little warp-age, then disregard the above.
If you're MIG welding, look at the chart for proper Volts and WFS settings for the thickness of the column, don't fiddle around with the settings, or guess. If you're stick welding, the same applies. No need to use a rod bigger than 3/32" or 1/16" for horizontal welding. use this chart:
http://www.airgas.com/content/details.aspx?id=7000000000137
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