Just getting started on my pipe fence

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....is a bigger project than actually welding it!I've had half the posts in the ground for a month, and have been spending the odd moments getting everything together to actually get at and start welding rail.  It is hell being broke and trying to get started on something What has been the biggest pain is that my father recently totaled his only vehicle, and is now driving my truck until.... probably until forever   So, I had to outfit the tractor to work out of before I could even get started.In my pile of scrap I had an old homemade three point grubber someone had given me.  Didn't work very well, so I cut a couple of parts off of it to make a receiver hitch for the tractor to pull the trailer.I gave $100 for this trailer at an auction several years ago.  It is pretty rough, but all it does is go to the dump or scrap yard once every three months or so.Then, since I'm likely going have to unhitch for the trailer to fetch pipe with the tractor I threw on an outrigger on the rear to keep the trailer from tipping.I wish I could say that bluestar is my welder, but it is borrowed from my brother.  Great little welder that was practically given to him by his father in law (paid $300.)  If it was my welder I would probably tear that trailer down and rebuild it as my little welding trailer.I also built a vise stand that goes on the receivers on my bucket, but I'll not bore you with photos.All that to get started on a little pipe fence. Just before dark I got one piece of rail welded on, and managed to leave the camera down at the house. I'm not doing a true top rail. I'm capping the top of the posts, and the highest rail will sit about five inches from the top.  The first piece went okay, but I messed up on my fit up somewhere.  The saddles didn't come out quite right, and by the time I got them ground to fit, had some fairly large gaps.  It was probably a case of "I cut it three times and it was still too short!"I'm cutting the saddles with the portaband, and will pay attention better tomorrow.OLD miller M-295  (AC)Century 230/140 ac/dcVictor torchNot much else but some cheap tools.
Reply:Your cutting saddles with a portaband?Have we all gone mad?
Reply:Originally Posted by sn0border88Your cutting saddles with a portaband?
Reply:Good luck with the fence.  I hope you put up some picsI'm in the middle of making corners.  I'm having NIGHTMARES with fitup.  I'm not a pipe guy, and am seeing the error of my ways now more than everThe 45deg kickers are making my testicles shrivel, no kidding  My voice is getting higher as we speakI'm ok with straight 90deg saddles, but the 45's are kicking my skinny azzThe trailer is fine. It has wheels, a bed, and it rolls"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:there is an angle calculator called snip.awardspace.com, that gives you the angles to cut a ssaddle with a portaband..
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammGood luck with the fence.  I hope you put up some picsI'm in the middle of making corners.  I'm having NIGHTMARES with fitup.  I'm not a pipe guy, and am seeing the error of my ways now more than ever::The 45deg kickers are making my testicles shrivel, no kidding  My voice is getting higher as we speakI'm ok with straight 90deg saddles, but the 45's are kicking my skinny azzThe trailer is fine. It has wheels, a bed, and it rolls
Reply:Magnetized pipe is hard to weld. Your fit up looks good. I would try a root pass with 6010 or 6011 first and then come back with 7018. I've built several things out of drill pipe and it can be a nightmare to weld. Good luck and keep the pictures coming.
Reply:You're doing a beautiful fitup job!!I can't even mark the pipe I have, the dam stuff has this plastic liner in it.  When the liner catches fire it produces heavy smoke and ash, and obliterates all markingsThe smoke is alternately coal black, white, and greenish.  One whiff takes your breath away and leaves you choking.  It's a real messI've been thinking of cutting rough lengths, then burning the liner out at the ends, clean the surface of the pipe, then mark it.  Might work, who knows.  I've been puting off any further work due to the extreme heat here.  Actually I'm procrastinating "Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammYou're doing a beautiful fitup job!!I can't even mark the pipe I have, the dam stuff has this plastic liner in it.  When the liner catches fire it produces heavy smoke and ash, and obliterates all markingsThe smoke is alternately coal black, white, and greenish.  One whiff takes your breath away and leaves you choking.  It's a real messI've been thinking of cutting rough lengths, then burning the liner out at the ends, clean the surface of the pipe, then mark it.  Might work, who knows.  I've been puting off any further work due to the extreme heat here.  Actually I'm procrastinating
Reply:That sounds like the coating on old fuel tanks we cut at work.Have u tried making a template out of poster board and mark the pipe burn the area, then remark with the template if it wraps around and is say a foot long mark both ends burn, lne back back up on the mark and remark the cut. I agree the coating makes it nasty lol
Reply:I was told by a welder that lives here near Wichita Falls here, for the magnetized pipe just wrap your ground cable around the work (pipe) 4-5 times ( I don't have experience with it yet, but I trust the guys advice). Keep the pictures coming with the fence progress, I will be starting the same job in a couple of weeks.BrettUSAF SSgt - Explosives ExpertHobart Handler 187Hobart Airforce 4001989 Lincoln SA-200 Classic I