Hi Guys,
I have noticed joining two pieces of metal say 12" long sometimes the whole 12" is welded another time the weld is 1.5" long then a gap of 1.5" and so on,
what is the reason for this weld and a gap?
DaveH
It saves on the cost of filler metal, saves weight and in most cases provides more than enough strength to the weldment. Imagine the extra cost and weight of building a cargo container ship with 100% continuous welds through out the entire vessel.
Thanks Willie, I'm wondering if I shouldn't have done that on the press brake?
Less welding - less to go wrong
DaveH
The way I see it, it's one thing to have a couple of short welds holding a steel table together. It's quite another when you have the weight of a city bus parked on top of it.
(06-19-2014, 01:57 PM)DaveH Wrote: [ -> ]Hi Guys,
I have noticed joining two pieces of metal say 12" long sometimes the whole 12" is welded another time the weld is 1.5" long then a gap of 1.5" and so on,
what is the reason for this weld and a gap?
DaveH
The reason for the gap is to keep the metal from warping , concentrated heat will put a nice curve where you don't want one if you don't break it up and skip a little here and there . this is especially true for thin metal .
Thanks Ken,
What is considered thin 3mm and less?
DaveH
(06-20-2014, 09:54 AM)DaveH Wrote: [ -> ]Thanks Ken,
What is considered thin 3mm and less?
DaveH
I would also like to know what is considered "thin".
Ed
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(06-20-2014, 09:54 AM)DaveH Wrote: [ -> ]Thanks Ken,
What is considered thin 3mm and less?
DaveH
Hi Dave , that's about right , even heavy steel plate will warp if you are not careful about how you weld it . we do a lot of 1/2"-1" plate and i-beam for the mines and the test site .We have a "Miller Bobcat" on a truck for the off-site jobs
That's the reason for tig welders really , the small thickness is easier to work with using more concentrated heat and smaller welds .
The mig makes it easier for almost anyone to weld sheet metal , tubing and such .
The stick is still the most heavy duty and hardest to master for most people , but like everything else it's mostly practice and patience .
Ken, what's the pic of? Is it "dressing" of the weld on your mill? I'm asking 'cause it doesn't appear to be two pieces welded together.