Welding Dissimilar Thickness Materials - Rifle Rest

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Howdy Folks,I'm building a rifle bench rest similar to the one pictured here:However, instead of fastening 3 round pipe legs to the cylinder like above, I'm planning to weld 3 pieces of rectangular tubing to the cylinder.  My cylinder has 1/2" wall thickness and is 4-1/2" tall.  The rectangular tubing I have is 1-1/2" x 3" x 3/16" thick.  I want to avoid warping the cylinder because a piece of 1-3/4" threaded rod has to smoothly slide inside it.  I have a Miller 210 mig welder.  Please advise on best method, preheat, wire size, tacking welding, clamping, etc.  Again, I'm welding 3/16" wall thickness rectangular tubing to 1/2" wall thickness cylinder.  I know this thing is way overbuilt for supporting a lightweight rifle but these are the materials I have on hand.  Thanks!
Reply:Hey MDF,I also build bench rests in several configurations, so your query is interesting. If you have a concern with warpage of your vert. cylinder, why not simply weld your rect. tube legs to a piece of cutoff pipe(sleeve) with an ID that matches your cylinder OD. Then you can either just tack it, or simply use some JB Weld to join the sleeve & cylinder. It would be so much simpler & easier. JMO....DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."