Welding round tubing

admin

With my mig welder, I am practicing welding thin round tubing. Is it better to push or drag when welding? I know you just weld a little at a time and rotate, but should I push, or drag. And where should I point the torch, where both tubings mate? Both tubes are the same sizw. Thanks for any input!
Reply:Originally Posted by ZobmanWith my mig welder, I am practicing welding thin round tubing. Is it better to push or drag when welding? I know you just weld a little at a time and rotate, but should I push, or drag. And where should I point the torch, where both tubings mate? Both tubes are the same sizw. Thanks for any input!
Reply:I turn the heat up enough that I can push the weld and make full penetration with MIG.  c/25 works better than Co2.It comes out flatter.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:All I can say is you will need to experiment, and find what works best for you. Also, realize you are going to have to weld in all directions to get around a tube. Up, down, push, pull. Really learn to start a weld well, to get the puddle going quickly, without burning right through, or building a small mountain of a bead before you move on. Use thin wire, .023/ .025 . You won't need anything bigger for tubing of .040-.120 thickness. The bigger the wire, the bigger the puddle. The bigger the puddle, the more heat. The more heat, and the thinner the tube.... the bigger the hole you burn into the tube!!! And, finally, try to get a very good fit on your tubes, any time you can. I can't stress this enough. Welding a big gap will bend/ distort the tube, causing you more headaches. And clean it up before you burn on it. It goes without saying, but I will just put it out there as a reminder.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Originally Posted by ZobmanWith my mig welder, I am practicing welding thin round tubing. Is it better to push or drag when welding? I know you just weld a little at a time and rotate, but should I push, or drag. And where should I point the torch, where both tubings mate? Both tubes are the same sizw. Thanks for any input!
Reply:Yep, welding E.M.T. to build a recumbent tadpole trike. Or at least I want to! But from the looks of my weld,,,well it just might be a while!!!!
Reply:Perhaps the real question should be, "How long does it take to get to Carnegie Hall?" City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Originally Posted by ZobmanYep, welding E.M.T. to build a recumbent tadpole trike. Or at least I want to! But from the looks of my weld,,,well it just might be a while!!!!
Reply:I remember when I was trying to learn to MIG round tubing.  I wanted to MIG in a roll cage.  After a lot of trying I decided to go with TIG just because you have that additional control, you do not have to move so fast and I think the learning curve with TIG and round tubing is going to be a lot less due to the control of TIG -vs- running with the MIG.I found it most difficult to following the tubing and keep the torch in position. With TIG at least you get some time to adjust as you go around.I am not trying to discourage you in using MIG because many people have done it and the welds look awesome.Just my .02 cents...Build a Barstool Racer at BarFlyRacers.com!
Reply:I'd agree emt might require some additional acquired skill to mig.  Since cleaning has been brought up--I usually acid dip my emt. Dipping cleans inside and out.  I used emt for 'bent seat frames. However, I brazed the tubing.Should you go with new oily steel.I use liquid degreaser and again dip.  It removes oil from inside and outside.  Greased lightning, Simple green...As far a migging around the tubing, As suggested place the joint in the most comfortable position, then do practice runs.  Good fit up is important.  How are you cutting the tubing?  Definately want to concentrate your heat on the heavy continuous metal, not the edge of the notched material.I think you are at the minimal capability of the mig machine.
Reply:tapwelder, I have a tubing notcher from Harbor Freight to fish mouth the tubes. I also am weldeing with the Harbor Freight Dual Mig Welder 131, it's a 110v welder using gas (argon mix) and .30 wire. I am learning to weld so I just practice with settings. Anyone else use this welder, and if so what setting do you use? Thanks
Reply:Originally Posted by Zobmantapwelder, I have a tubing notcher from Harbor Freight to fish mouth the tubes. I also am weldeing with the Harbor Freight Dual Mig Welder 131, it's a 110v welder using gas (argon mix) and .30 wire. I am learning to weld so I just practice with settings. Anyone else use this welder, and if so what setting do you use? Thanks
Reply:Thanks I will give it a try! Some info I got off the net stated for 1/16" .30 wire should be ok. What amperage should I be using, and what wire speed?Last edited by Zobman; 09-23-2007 at 09:56 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by ZobmanThanks I will give it a try! Some info I got off the net stated for 1/16" .30 wire should be ok. What amperage should I be using, and what wire speed?
Reply:Zobman,Here are pics of the two bents that I've built this year.  I built the yellow one for a friend in Iowa.  I brazed and migged the frame modifications and additions.  Still need to tear mine down to paint, but it's too much fun to ride, so I'll wait 'til really bad weather sets it. The other two photos are of Gibbon Falls and the Gibbon River in YNP that I took last week.  At the top of the photo of the river you can see the charred tree spikes that were left, following the fires of '88, and the gazillion small, green trees that have sprouted up to replace the old growth.Weldordie Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by Zobmantapwelder, I have a tubing notcher from Harbor Freight to fish mouth the tubes. I also am weldeing with the Harbor Freight Dual Mig Welder 131, it's a 110v welder using gas (argon mix) and .30 wire. I am learning to weld so I just practice with settings. Anyone else use this welder, and if so what setting do you use? Thanks
Reply:Originally Posted by c4cruiserBeen reading the posts here and I'm curious about a few things.  I'm building a tire rack for my car trailer and I'll be using 16 gauge, 1-1/2" exhaust tubing.  I don't have a tubing notcher and after looking at the HF notcher, it apparently won't fit on my table top Delta drill press.  Does anyone have any suggestions on how best to notch this tubing without a cutter?I'll be welding it all together with my Lincoln ProMig 140.  Don't have gas at this point so will the .035 flux core wire work here?  The tubing is labeled 16 gauge but the wall thickness measures 1/16".
Reply:I don't have a drill press either. But I use a hand drill on the notcher.