welding 8mm plate with only 160 amps

[Tin Can]

I have managed to aquire a couple of 8mm thick off cuts and want to join them to make a welding table/platform to fit on my black & decker workmate (set fire to the wooden top last year whilst practising).

My Britool welder has a maximum output of 160 amps which i figure is good to weld upto about 5mm thick, so therefore i will have to put a V on the two 8mm joining edges

As i am still a newbie and dont want to ruin the 2 peices, do i i need to V the top and underneath and then weld the same

Thanks

Mark

 

[Nivag]

To give it the best chance vee both sides. Clamp to something strong and flat, tack first and don't weld too much at once plus alternate from side to side as this will help minimise distortion.
Nivag.

 

[Hitch]

Tilt it up a bit aswell, when it comes to the welding, youll get a little more heat into it.

 

[Welderpaul]

A trick to save having to grind a prep on the two edges of the plate is to leave a small gap between plates, then weld on full power.

 

[Fazed]

I've had to do this with my Clarke 160EN on 12mm. I veed both sides and ran a weld along half of the vee in one side, then flipped over and did the opposite half of the vee. I also clamped the plate to a paving slab I had handy (it's flat and won't burn!) while I welded it. Keep it tightly clamped and let it cool slowly. I'd be surprised if you got any distortion.

 

[Tin Can]

Finally got round to 'trying' to join the plates.

Vee'd both plates on top and bottom edge. Cranked up mig to full power, 0.8mm wire, argonshield set to 10lpm and clamped at numerous points to a paving slab and welded in bursts on the 1 side.

Slowly removed clamps and the plates began to curl up slightly on the outside edges. Clamped back flat again and welded 2 braces across and eveything is 'held' flat.

Turned plates over to inspect penetration etc along the join and can see no trace of weld (its just as how i grinded it back to about 4mm thickness) etc and only occaisionally 'blue' heat marks.

Does eveything seem ok and am i in a position to clamp it back in place and run a weld on the other side to finish it off

Mark

 

[wyn]

On the side you haven't welded, grind through till you reach the weld on the other side, then weld it up.

 

[Justme]

Should have left a gap.

 

[RedOrZed]

Should have left a gap.

How big of a gap? 2 or 3 mm, or bigger? Just interested in case I have to do something similar!

 

[stormin]

How big of a gap? 2 or 3 mm, or bigger? Just interested in case I have to do something similar!

3mm is the usual recommendation but maybe a bit less is more appropriate with a smaller welder on thinner wire.

 

[Hitch]

Did you leave a gap, and tilt it upwards, welding up the incline....?

 

[Tin Can]

Did you leave a gap, and tilt it upwards, welding up the incline....?

Hiya Hitch

I know you mentioned back in May when i 1st posted the thread about setting it up on an incline, however due to slabs size and weight and the positioning of the clamps i had to keep it flat

I didnt leave a gap which reading back through the last couple of replies i probably should of

"welding up the incline" - i assume this gives a better weld - if so that suits as the plates are going to be used as an adjustable angle welding bench/table as per the Graham S thread of converting a cheapo B&Q bench - see http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=19811&highlight=welding+table

All credit to Graham S for sharing his idea

Mark

 

[Tin Can]

Hi Guys
Spent the weekend finishing off joining the 2 x 8mm plates together. Please have a look a the photos of the welds to see what you think. As it was my first project and the begining of my learning curve i bleedin well enjoyed myself but still have a long way to go to be confident at welding

Mark

 

[chunkolini]

Looks good.
The next job is to grind all the welds flush so when you re working they dont get in the way.
Top tip.
Tack weld a piece of strip along one side, and use it when you are 'burning' then end off the wire to get a shorter length before starting a weld. Get into the habit of doing it on the strip and you wont end up with specks pf weld all over the place. When the strip is a mess lop it off and replace it.
Another one. If you are doing a smaller job that might get extra hot or produce lots of spatter have a piece of scrap plate to work on on top of the main table. if it gets messed up or warps it wont damage the main worktop.

Chunko'.

Chunko'.

 

[Tin Can]

Looks good.
The next job is to grind all the welds flush so when you re working they dont get in the way.
Top tip.
Tack weld a piece of strip along one side, and use it when you are 'burning' then end off the wire to get a shorter length before starting a weld. Get into the habit of doing it on the strip and you wont end up with specks pf weld all over the place. When the strip is a mess lop it off and replace it.
Another one. If you are doing a smaller job that might get extra hot or produce lots of spatter have a piece of scrap plate to work on on top of the main table. if it gets messed up or warps it wont damage the main worktop.

Chunko'.

Chunko'.

Thanks for the tips - will keep them both in mind

Mark