Grounding to 4'' square tube

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Next week I have to weld up a bunch of 4'' square tube  purlins up in the air. I need a good fast way to ground to it. My ground clamp doesn't open that far. I thought of a C clamp and clamp the ground clamp to the purlin but if anyone has a better/quicker idea I'm open to ideas.
Reply:I would try a magnetic ground clamp. I keep one in the truck on a short lead with a twist lock for odd size stuff like that.Ranger 250 thick stuffHobart Handler 140 not thick stuffthe pane and oxy setup
Reply:I have a magnet ground that I use when I cant clamp to what I'm welding. I don't see a problem with just putting a quick clamp on and clamping the ground on.
Reply:Plenty of options.I've seen C clamps or welders vise grips used to make good grounds. Magnetic ground clamps might be another option. Then you can always just grab a small chunk of scrap with the clamp and tack it to the work. Now you have a solid ground and you just break the tab off when done and grind the surface..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:What about tacking  steel to the 4'' sq and put the clamp on that ? Tack one side and break off when done.
Reply:If I can make it to the lws this weekend I may get a magnetic ground.
Reply:For welding on pipe I have a piece of 4 gauge welding  cable that has the rubber insulation striped off of it.  I wrap it around the pipe twice and clamp on to it.
Reply:If you have an old c clamp you could weld a tab on it drill a 1/2 hole and bolt a lug ground.
Reply:If it's purlins in the air there must be a colum or a rafter that it attaches to? The square tube purlins are closed at each end? Why not the beam or anchor bolt that the colum or rafter is attached to?  If your concerned about grounding through electrical devices then by all means maybe a magnet close to the welding area.  I have never been impressed by magnets they tend to leave arc marks.  IMHO I would opt for the C clamp or of the likes if I had no alternative means of grounding.Downhill Hillbilly.   From the top to the bottom, stackin iron throwin fire
Reply:Or, you can always use the C-clamp to hold a scrap piece of metal that your ground WILL clamp on to the purlin.  I have even just clamped a C-clamp onto things my ground will not fit, and then simply attach the ground clamp onto the threaded adjuster screw of the C-clamp.
Reply:both my ideal-arcs at work have this type of ground; a 8" piece of 3/8" x 2" flat with a piece of 5/8" round stock 12" long welded to the end. the round stock ends in a hook. in the event i can't clamp or tack the flat part of my ground i can usually attach the ground by the hook.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:Funny you should ask thats all I did all day yesterday and I dont have a magnetic ground.If I couldnt connect the ground to the end of a pipe I just tack welded a piece of scrap to the work, lucky for me I was able to connect the ground to the end of the tube most of the time.I am going to get a magnetic ground next time I am at the welding store.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:You yunguns. Get a piece of 1/2" round copper rod(elec ground rod) and bend a "hook" with a flat top where it hangs. It doesn't have to be clamped, Hang it wherever you want and get welding.Last edited by Burpee; 03-07-2014 at 02:51 PM.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Wrap your cable around the tubing, and make sure the clamp is touching the steel, then clamp to your cable.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:this is the ground i use. very seldom do i encounter a surface i can't attach this to. Attached ImagesLast edited by docwelder; 03-07-2014 at 07:18 PM.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:Originally Posted by docwelderthis is the ground i use. very seldom do i encounter a surface i can't attach this to.
Reply:Originally Posted by AR. HillbillyIf I can make it to the lws this weekend I may get a magnetic ground.
Reply:A c-clamp vise grip will open to 4" clamp it on and ground to that.
Reply:what about clamping to a piece of chain. and throw the chain around whatever.Miller thunderbolt 250Decastar 135ERecovering tool-o-holic ESAB OAI have been interested or involved in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Auto, Marine, Welding, Electronics ETC to name a just a few. So YES you can own too many tools.
Reply:Originally Posted by dumb as a stumpwhat about clamping to a piece of chain. and throw the chain around whatever.
Reply:Copper wire. Wrap it around the tube and then clamp the ground clamp to the wire.Big F**king HammerJumper cables & 2 marine batteriesJaws of life
Reply:Tack a piece to the tube. DONE.
Reply:Many years ago i was in a scrap yard that was scapping out an MRI unit.   Got one of the mig 3"x5" magnets sandwitched between 2  1/2" plates.    dont get your fingers between the piece and the ground or it will smash the hell out of it.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.