Splicing tube beam

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I'm working on a 25x30 Patio Pavilion for the back yard.  It's resembling Timerframe construction, but in steel.  For the open gable trusses and beams, I'm using 8x2 tube steel.  I'm using 4 6x6 posts for the corners and that means the 8"x2"x24' isn't going to be long enough and I'll need to splice another ~6' on to it.   What's the best/right way to splice these together and maintain the strength?
Reply:Weld them like pipe. bevel them, lock them down, root pass, grind, hot pass and cap.Lincoln 330MPXLincoln Power Mig 256Lincoln LN-25X Wire FeederMagnum PRO 250LX GT Spool GunModified Lincoln 225¼ Ton of Torches OFC-A OFG-AAir Carbon Arc GougingEverlast 62i Plasma CutterIngersoll Rand Type 30 14hpInstagram: #Freebird Welds
Reply:What gauge / thickness we talking about?
Reply:These are 11 gauge.
Reply:

Originally Posted by whiskeymike

These are 11 gauge.
Reply:Or cut some 8x2 down to fit inside . Weld it up full bevel joint, grind it flush, slide it in and weld up as already described.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Freebirdwelds

That thin you may want to slip a piece (or three) inside and line weld them ( groves cut in the center of your inner steel) then weld it like pipe.If you can find one piece that fits inside perfect I'd still cut a couple groves on both side and weld the groves solid. then weld it like pipe.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Woznme

Or cut some 8x2 down to fit inside . Weld it up full bevel joint, grind it flush, slide it in and weld up as already described.
Reply:With 11 ga would go from no gap to about 1/16 if i could depending on method and run a bead around it.  A version of this.  Ideally a splice in a home brew design shouldnt rely on a perfect weld, suffecient is the key.  Some splice plates are not a bad thing but a guy should really see some mobile home frame welding of old, how poorly it could be welded and still work for a while under severe load.

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Last edited by Sberry; 3 Weeks Ago at 04:26 PM.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:If you can't find something that fits tight inside the tubing...................Gap it, weld it, then scab it on all 4 sides with some 3/16 plate.  Hold the plate shy of the corners by about 1/2".  Leave the corner radius exposed.
Reply:I know, I know.........  You should be able to do a full pen weld, and make it right.  But if you're like me...........you'll never trust that splice unless it's scabbed


Reply:Good photo of work 👌 Dave

Originally Posted by Freebirdwelds

Here is an example of doing it with a butt plug ( I know ha ha) I was explaining using something like 4 inches long. But either will do. and then weld them together like pipe.


Reply:When make Patio or carport I use square tubing for columns and cheese and zees for framing.  To keep cost down for long spans used a weld angle iron beam.In city where everyone sees the carport I use wood for roof framing. It looks less industrial in wood.Dave

Originally Posted by whiskeymike

I'm working on a 25x30 Patio Pavilion for the back yard.  It's resembling Timerframe construction, but in steel.  For the open gable trusses and beams, I'm using 8x2 tube steel.  I'm using 4 6x6 posts for the corners and that means the 8"x2"x24' isn't going to be long enough and I'll need to splice another ~6' on to it.   What's the best/right way to splice these together and maintain the strength?
Reply:

Originally Posted by farmersammm

I know, I know.........  You should be able to do a full pen weld, and make it right.  But if you're like me...........you'll never trust that splice unless it's scabbed


Reply:

Originally Posted by Freebirdwelds

Same difference.......this way your splicing it on the inside.....
Reply:Thanks all.  I like the idea of sleeving it inside so it's not seen on the outside.  While I have the floor.  For a 25x30 Patio, do you guys see any issue of using 4 posts of 6x6x.25 (Overkill, but I like the aesthetic), and then 8x2x11 gauge for open gable truss on each end, and 8x2x11 gauge for the 30 foot beam.  Then 8" purlins from truss to truss.  R Panel for the top.  


Reply:I like 👍 I built a few like that over the years too.Dave

Originally Posted by whiskeymike

Thanks all.  I like the idea of sleeving it inside so it's not seen on the outside.  While I have the floor.  For a 25x30 Patio, do you guys see any issue of using 4 posts of 6x6x.25 (Overkill, but I like the aesthetic), and then 8x2x11 gauge for open gable truss on each end, and 8x2x11 gauge for the 30 foot beam.  Then 8" purlins from truss to truss.  R Panel for the top.  


Reply:If the splice was 1/2 as good as the tube it is plenty, maybe less.  Be different if this was highly engineered and at mid span.  It might should have a couple braces added in the corners in the ceiling so to speak to keep the top from twisting.  From the bottom chord of the gable truss to the eve strut.   This is a pretty big flimsy deal, no snow load there but possible hi wind?   The gable end should bear over the posts.   The welding is the least of the issues here, the connection is so close to the end noodle it on hot and it is overkill.Last edited by Sberry; 3 Weeks Ago at 06:35 PM.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:This is a place there is a bit of difference between fabricator and builder.  The original question is how to splice without the context of where its going and what it does.  Ask a fabricator howe to make it as strong as possible and get a different answer than if you ask a builder who wants to make it well adequate withoug needing toi make it as good as it can possibly be.  Doesnt need to be as strong as it can be,,,, nothing wrong with doing a good job but in the real world those would have would have been laid out so they could be butted as close as they could be and had a bead burned around them.  2x8 11 ga tube 2 1/8 rods per joint easy.    Fitter left me a little gap here.   This is a beam instead of tube but somewhat similar.  Flanges are 3/16 and the web 11 or so, maybe 10 ga.  The stress is on the flanges, weld in the web simply to keep it from buckling, making nuke grade weld wouldnt make much real difference in this type of splice.   This was salvage, all fast hand cut with plasma and gapped for overall dimension and with wire feed so easy to fill a gap that no point in exact fitting.

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Last edited by Sberry; 3 Weeks Ago at 07:02 PM.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:It can be more sophisticated.  I think that is a column in my office.  My neighbor was standing around when I had to extend it a foot, free beam and about 20X as good as it needs to be.  He asks, want me to weld it?   Sure, knock urself out, I went for a coffee.

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Last edited by Sberry; 3 Weeks Ago at 06:55 PM.www.urkafarms.com