Thin to thick steel techniques...

admin

I'm getting ready to weld my bbq end plates in place this week.  My thinking, and we know how that can get you in trouble, is that I need to put a bevel on the thick pipe, 3/8" and a bevel on the thin end plate 1/8".  I'll probably mig this so I need to know where I want to keep the puddle as I go around the pipe.  My limited experience tells me to keep the puddle on the thicker plate and "wash" it onto the thinner plate as I go around the pipe, i.e. keep the heat on the thicker side longer than on the thinner side.  Am I on the right track here?thanks....Don
Reply:I'd say yes!  but I'm no expert.  also, if the item is possible to, see about setting up some kind of rolling jig for pipe-work.  I have 4 harbor freight 10" pnematic wheels (the 5$ when on sale ones) and I set them up so you can put larger diameter i.e. 4" and larger on them and rotate how you want.  I have also seen cheepie roller blade wheels used on an adjustable rack, so it'll work for 1" - 8" pipe.  Just a good idea to keep the heat at least a few inches away from the non-metallic materials.  Also, skate board bearing are about as cheep 1"-ish diameter sealed bearing out there.  about 50 cents a piece for making all sorts of metallic rotating jigs.  This might help for future circular welding operations   Just some Ideas!  Brian Lee Sparkeee24
Reply:I'm getting ready to weld my bbq end plates in place this week. My thinking, and we know how that can get you in trouble, is that I need to put a bevel on the thick pipe, 3/8" and a bevel on the thin end plate 1/8".
Reply:Here is what i do when capping pipe like you are doing.  Measure the inside diameter of the pipe and cut your plates a hair larger so that you have a nice corner weld all the way around the circumference.  A corner weld will weld up nice and clean with out the bevelling.  If you cut your end caps like I stated above and welding around them.  Concentrate your weld on the 3/8 and keep just enough heat to the 1/8 to slow it in smoothly.  Good luck.  ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......