Hey,
I'm trying to weld some 1/16th" tubing to some 1/4" flanges but I can't get a good puddle on both pieces at the same time. I can get a puddle on the 1/4" flange with no problem of course but getting it to "blend" into the tubing is really, really tough! The rod just piles up and makes a mess or I burn through the thin tube.

I've seen some really nice looking welds on aftermarket intake tubes so I know this can be done I just don't know how.

Does anybody have any helpful tips here or can you you explain your technique for this?

Thanks
Fred

 

you need to move really fast once it's going. direct your arc on the thicker part for all most all the time.

you might need a friend to put a propane torch on the back of the thick to keep it hot.

 

Use the filler to convince the puddle onto the tubing.

 

preheating is your friend

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by k24em2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Use the filler to convince the puddle onto the tubing.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah, I also like to bevel the larger flange and sorta stick the thin tube down into it and then (kinda weird to explain) weld more towards the flange than the tube and let the puddle just fall into the bevel.

I do this around and then I go back and lay down the beads on top of this.

 

Thanks for the tips guys, anybody have any pics of their welds of this type?

thanks again,
Fred

 

not just preheating but during-heating.

Al gets rid of heat really fast.

 

I weld alum. all day get your puddle going and do a motion that would be kind of like dragging from the thicker metal to the thinner, and do it quickly!!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtecspeed1320 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I weld alum. all day get your puddle going and do a motion that would be kind of like dragging from the thicker metal to the thinner, and do it quickly!!!</TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah what he said. You can kind of maintain your puddle on the thicker part and consistently weave the torch al tiny bit to the side to carry the puddle onto the thinner material. Kind of like pulsing the heat input on the thinner stock.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtecspeed1320 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I weld alum. all day get your puddle going and do a motion that would be kind of like dragging from the thicker metal to the thinner, and do it quickly!!!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks for the description! That's basically what I tried but I couldn't seem to get the thin tube hot enough for the puddle to blend into it. I'll try some more though.

thanks
Fred

 

are you MIG or TIG?

 

put the flange in the oven at about 350-400 degrees for 20 mins. then weld it.

oh yeah use gloves