Welding fasteners?

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So last night I was working out in the garage and thought of a question to ask. Maybe it's kind of a silly question but I'd like to hear everyone's input. I was modifying rear bumper brackets for my truck after I put the receiver hitch back on and it involved welding nuts onto the brackets for bolts. Any particular way you guys weld that nuts/bolts/fasteners onto stock? For bolts usually I use one of my magnets. For these hex nuts welded on the brackets I just ran the bolt through the hole, put the nut on a full nut (just enough for the bolt end to be about flush, as seen in pictures) then tacked two sides. Made sure the bolt still turned freely, then ran a small bead around. These aren't anything structural, basically just wanted to keep the nut from turning when putting the bumper bolts back in.Just a question that crossed my mind while I was working last night.-Pat
Reply:Sometimes when you weld a nut like your doing , whatever residue is inside the nut can burn causing the bolt to seize. So at first just tack it , remove bolt then weld and get a tap to clean out the threads after your done welding if needed.
Reply:I usually use a countersunk screw with a washer tacked on to it, it centers the nut over the hole. Tack...remove screw... Weld all around.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jay OSometimes when you weld a nut like your doing , whatever residue is inside the nut can burn causing the bolt to seize. So at first just tack it , remove bolt then weld and get a tap to clean out the threads after your done welding if needed.
Reply:Originally Posted by fronty_78I usually use a countersunk screw with a washer tacked on to it, it centers the nut over the hole. Tack...remove screw... Weld all around.
Reply:also another tip is if you use zinc plated nuts, Just remember to sand away the facing where your going to be welding it, you'll get a stronger weld plus no contamination in the weld
Reply:Had an issue with this yesterday, building an shock tower bar with a double adjuster on it. first weld of the nut to the 1" .120 DOM tube netted me some baked zinc, and a ruined double adjuster and nut.  Went to the local fastener / tool supply shop, and got myself a set of RH and LH 5/8-18 taps.  Sure helped out with the process, but that left hand tap wasn't cheap!Like Jay O said, the zinc can screw things up as heat from the weld gets to it.  You can minimize this by using non-coated steel hardware.As far as keeping nuts flat onto a surface, centered over a hole, I'll eyeball it, and tack it.  I'll check for hole clearance, then, if possible, use a clamp to flatten the fastener to the material, tack the other side, remove the clamp, then weld all the way around, if need be.  For the work you're doing, probably doesn't need a weld all the way around.-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:Use heavy hex nuts, they are made to be welded. They are plain steel and much beefier than a standard nut. I still run a bolt through, tighten it down, heavy tac, remove bolt then fully weld. Don't fully weld with the bolt holding the nut in place, especially if using a regular duty nut.
Reply:I always put some "Never-seez" on the threads. I remove the bolt while everything is still hot to avoid it shrinking and freezing up.http://www.neverseezproducts.com/nev...Fal_QgodvykANwLincoln SA200's... at least 15 - 20. They come and go. Growing partial to the "Short Hoods" in my old age. Last count on Short Hoods was 13 in possession.
Reply:Thanks to everyone for the great advice. I'll try hard to keep it all in mind. I'll be welding more nuts to stock soon. I'll try out all this advice and see what I like best.-Pat
Reply:Originally Posted by fronty_78I usually use a countersunk screw with a washer tacked on to it, it centers the nut over the hole. Tack...remove screw... Weld all around.
Reply:Use a flanged nut and weld the flange________________________________Everlast PA140STEverlast PowerPlasma 50And no you can't Borrow them
Reply:There are weldnuts available (McMaster carr) that have a small ridge on them for centering them in a pilot hole.  They are thicker, usually square, but available in hex. They also make threaded tube ends for round or sq tubing.
Reply:Originally Posted by GerryMUse a flanged nut and weld the flange