When to gap?

admin

I'm just a hobby welder not a pro.  I don't make any money at all from welding.  Anyway I've been doing a lot of reading on welding techniques lately.  I'm always trying to improve my skills.  I'm actually going to cut up a bunch of coupons and start practicing the basics again.  Anyway I've been a lot about distortion and set up for different types of welds.  I've been reading about beveling and gaps between plates and on pipe.  Ok let's just take a butt weld. Say two prices of flat stock you need to join for some reason.  It needs to be a strong sound weld because its going to take some abuse for some reason.  At what thickness of steel is gaping necessary?  I know it has to do with weld penetration ect.  I weld a lot of 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch.  Occasionally 1/2 inch but not often.  I've got no problems getting complete penetration (burning a hole through) on 1/8 and 1/4 inch.  I got real good at that  However on the thicker stuff like 1/2 inch I've really got to turn up the heat to burn through.  99% of the half inch I've welded was basically glewing something back together to get a job done or a peice of equipment out of the field.  Then the equipment is brought to a pro welder who knows what they are doing.  Anyway when does proper gaping become important?Miller Maxstar 200 strMontgomery Ward 250 AC/DC
Reply:I gap or bevel 1/8 butt joints. It makes it easier to weld straight and doesnt create a proud weld.
Reply:Originally Posted by Zapzoowhen does proper gaping become important?
Reply:Gapping pipe and plate is the best way to get full penetration.Eastwood TIG 200NAPA 83-315 MIG
Reply:Mostly depends upon access to the back side. If you have access, bevel both sides, and weld both sides. If you have no access, then bevel the side you do, gap them (gap depends on process, electrode size, metal thickness, weld procedure). Gap allows your weld to get full penetration and reinforcement on the backside. If you have access, vee  both sides, but them, weld one side, flip it, grind out until you have a gee cleaned of any weld flaws and weld backside.