thick metal help

admin

Hopefully some one can help. I have an older Lincoln 225 ac arc welder. I've really never welded and thing thicker than 3/16" before , but I'm currently working on a project and need help.OK I have to weld some 4x4X1/4" thick square tube to build a squat rack device. The way I was going to approach it is to grove every cut; weld 6011 first 3/32" then follow it up with 7018ac (not sure how thick of rod to use).Any advise would be great.
Reply:ive never used an ac machine before but i think you would be just fine running a single pass od 1/8" 7018, that should be plenty strong enough. 1/4" is still pretty thin material.
Reply:I second mike96.  Also dont put much bevel on the tube. Half of tube thickness is plenty. More than that and you might get blow thru problems. 1/8 lo-hi(7018) at 135amp or so should be fine. Good luck.
Reply:The design and usage of the part is something to consider also.  If it's a life or death type of part, I'd try and get full penetration.  For most uses, a bevel that's 1/8" deep will be fine.