Straight Pipe

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Any advice on welding two pieces of pipe together so they end up straight.  I tacked one side first then the opposite side then the other two.  This works OK but I thought I would see what others have tried.  I made a set of clamps made to hold pipe stationary but they are to small for the pipe I need to join. Thanks
Reply:For small items (3''or less),try clamping the pipe to an section of angle of the appropiate size.Clamp both pipes firmly against the "V" of the section of angle iron.Works great for keeping rod material straight too.Have fun. Al
Reply:Thanks I will give it a try.
Reply:Use 2 squares on the top of the pipe and butt them together at the joint.  Make sure you leave about 3/32 gap in the joint so as to be able to have movement. Then get it almost so the squares touch at the top and put a tack on that side then check to other side for the next tack. It will pull alittle after each tack, how much depends on thickness and material. Hope this helps.BrettLast edited by UP BRETT; 03-13-2005 at 02:02 PM.
Reply:I like to use small channel iron, (or angle) the flat side of the channel is by far easier to clamp to. If you take the time to make a medium size hole in the center of the channel, you will be able to tack weld in many different locations, most importantly, "behind"  the channel stongback. I have a few of different sizes made up to suit the job at hand.   It is often helpful to tack weld a clamp to the channel. For larger pipe or better control, a channel on both sides of the pipe may be useful.Do NOT use a torch to make the hole, or the heat distortion will work against you. A drill, hole saw, or punch will do better.    For the right size, bring a sample of your pipe to a welding shop, most likely, they would set you up for free (or almost) as this size piece is often thrown away. I often give small items away hoping for the "good will" angle, just realize they are in business to make a living, it's not a hobby, and time is precious.Just my  opinion, not from a book, just from the road.Howes Welding Inc.www.howesweldinginc.com
Reply:I have a jewel clamp that takes all the guess work out. I'm a journeyman pipefitter, and that tool makes life simple on my sizes of pipe. I also have a Fabrication and welding shop of my own.BrettB & B Fabrication and Welding Inc.906-497-4079
Reply:Originally Posted by jcaro10894Any advice on welding two pieces of pipe together so they end up straight.  I tacked one side first then the opposite side then the other two.  This works OK but I thought I would see what others have tried.  I made a set of clamps made to hold pipe stationary but they are to small for the pipe I need to join. Thanks
Reply:What is a jewel clamp?
Reply:I have two 4' pieces of pipe that I want to weld end to end to make an 8' piece.  I want it straight when I get done.  Thanks for your help.
Reply:The channel or angle and multiple tacks will do you fine.If you notice in the photo I've got the pipe in a gate table.  If I was going to weld two pieces together as you are I'd tack on side with about an eighth of an inch gap if you've dealing with schedule forty pipe.  I'd then place the tack in the inside corner along the straight edge.  Clamp the pipe straight and then tack it twice more.  With three tacks and a fast weld it'll come out straight.If I was doing a bushel basket of them, say like using scrap pieces to make fence posts.  I'd set up a heavy piece of angle as the jig.  I'd probably tack the angle to the I beam that's part of the gate table to insure it staying straight after multiple uses.  I'd lay two pieces in the angle.  Pull my spacing.  Tack it.  Rotate the tack where it's out of sight.  Tack it twice more.  Weld.BTW my fence at the house has pipe posts.  They were all made this way with two and three foot pieces of drop (scrap).Last edited by wroughtn_harv; 03-14-2005 at 07:04 AM.life is good