should I weld both sides of a butt joint?

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I'm using the HF Titanium 125 flux core welder (120V) with Blue Demon E71TGS .030 wire.When I'm welding butt joints using 2.6mm thick bed frame steel angle, should I be welding both sides? That's what I did on my first project and it seemed ok. I'm guessing with only a 120v welder, welding both sides would increase joint strength, but figured I'd ask.
Reply:Not every weld needs to be as strong as it can be.  While bed frame can be welded we try not to keep it around and get it mixxed up.  Terrible to drill, a guy forgets where he used it etc and supceptabgle to cracking.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:I'm only using bedframe for stuff where failure would not be catastrophic. If/when the money printers get inflation under control and supply chain gets back to normal, I'll get mild steel for projects. But for non-critical projects during these strange times, free bedframe is good enough for me.
Reply:With that little machine I would say YES weld both side of any joint you make with it.
Reply:I rarely buy steel.  If I need something specific I do but I collect it.  Its kind of easier than you might think once you get on a roll, surprising on how much people give u once they figure you want it.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:I typically I weld both sides unless I can get other side. A 120 volt welder is low pen and good idea to weld both sides. Dave

Originally Posted by goggins

I'm using the HF Titanium 125 flux core welder (120V) with Blue Demon E71TGS .030 wire.When I'm welding butt joints using 2.6mm thick bed frame steel angle, should I be welding both sides? That's what I did on my first project and it seemed ok. I'm guessing with only a 120v welder, welding both sides would increase joint strength, but figured I'd ask.
Reply:I'd take the bed frames to the recycling yard...  That stuff is not meant for welding.   Usually fails at the toe of the weld.  Angle iron is cheap and readily available!We've done so much, for so long, with so little. Were now qualified to do anything with nothing !
Reply:Cary (sberry) gave you the best answer. Not everything needs to be fully welded out. That being said the steel in bed frames is so suspect, don't be surprised if you can't weld it or it immediately cracks after welding. No amount of welding will solve that. Its an attribute of the really lousy alloy they use for bed rails.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:

Originally Posted by welding1

I'd take the bed frames to the recycling yard...  That stuff is not meant for welding.   Usually fails at the toe of the weld.  Angle iron is cheap and readily available!
Reply:1x1x1/8 would work fine. I used 1.5x1.5.1/8 to make a cart for my 400 lb syncrowave.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:

Originally Posted by Louie1961

That being said the steel in bed frames is so suspect, don't be surprised if you can't weld it or it immediately cracks after welding. No amount of welding will solve that. Its an attribute of the really lousy alloy they use for bed rails.
Reply:The machine will handle the material.  I would think the challenge would be not burning through. Considering flux core on less than 1/8 material.
Reply:https://www.bestmatt.com/product/engauge-bed-frame/  Keep reading till you get to the part about railroad tracks.Same same with T Posts  https://franklinindustriesco.com/t-p...20rail%20steelSo, the moral of the story is..........................  High carbon steel is NOT weld friendly.  Kinda like trying to weld P110 casing

Last edited by farmersammm; 1 Hour Ago at 02:13 AM.Reason: added last sentence