Welding sheet decking together

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I just did a small decking job. The kind with the galv. Corigated sheets that the pour concreet overthe plug welds were fine, but I was having trouble with welding the sheets together along the laps.Had 6013 3/32" @ 40amps. I even used straight polarity to reduce the penetration. But itwas slow going. Eventually I got the spoolgun out and the 75/25 and migged it as it wasn't windywhat does everyone use ?  Can't say I knew the gauge but it was a lot thinner than the pour stop. I'd guess twenty gauge. I wondered if .030 flux core would burn low enough. Or 1/16" 6013?GG
Reply:usually we just crimp the sheets together with the crimping tool.    I have seen where they used self drilling self tapping screws to install the sheets but its way way way more work than is actually needed.Recently we stopped puddle welding them together and are now just shooting them with hilti pins.   Saves so much time and labor its really the only way we will do them anymore.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.
Reply:It would depend on how clean you need these seams to be, and how weather proof they need to be. Personally, for a really clean seam, Rivet, or blind bolts are a better way to go. If it's structural, bolts and rivets still work. For a watertight seam, you need to plan on walking away from this a lot before you are all done; it is just plain old hard to weld a straight seam flat over a distance longer than a couple inches. Other options are slip joints, they can work well. It all depends on what you need, and how clean it has to be.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:It was just a one inch weld every 36". Along the edges of the sheetsand I did a 1" weld on every corigation to weld thesheet to the strip that stops the concreet flowing out the corigations in the ends of the sheet. It was welding the two sheets together that had the rods beatthat's when I got the mig out. Two thin sheets together. Not sure how it would have worked if it was windy.G
Reply:I've welded 20 gauge with .035 fluxcore before, but mostly tack welds and very short beads. You have to move fairly quickly to prevent burn through and warpage.
Reply:3/32 or 1/8" 6022  I use the button punch to crimp the layers then weld  works great
Reply:I've used .068 NR211 to weld it...it aint rocket science, just gotta make em stick together....
Reply:.035 fluxcore works great for that.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Like TEK said, it isn't rocket science. We were always just screwing it together. 2-3' OC and done. Its not like its holding much. The overlap takes care of most of that. The screws just kept the sheets together. Have welded it a few times, but not very often. 3/32 6011 @50a DCEN worked like a champ.QamuIs Heg qaq law' lorvIs yInqaq puS
Reply:Oh and if your puddle welding it to joists and beams get yourself a 50lb'er of 6022.   Its made just for puddle welding decking down.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.
Reply:And don't forget to tape your stinger to a broom stick so your back and knees don' t kill you from being hunched over all day.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:I am sure that 6022 would have been nice. But it was a very small pour. 6010 did just fine at 110 amps. Didn't even need a broom handle. Got a bigger job in the future and was sure there was some method better than I used toweld the sheets together. My specks didn't mention screws or rivets so I welded. I thought flux cored .030 or .035 might work well. Just thought I'd run it by you all firstthanks for all the inputs peopleLast edited by gordfraser; 04-07-2010 at 10:21 PM.G