Hi, I am building a small trailer and doing the welding with an inverter. The structural parts of the chassis involve welding 80*40 box to 40*40 box at right angles. The rounded edge of the box section forms an 'acute angled gap' to weld in. The rod does not fit in the gap very well resulting in a long arc length and a messy weld. I am a beginner. Is it all down to my inexperience or should I be using box without curved edges? Also would a mig be better for this purpose. I have not got a mig welder but would get one if necessary.
- Thread starter Trevor
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madkayaker
Pro sparkey Pro Welder
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The radius corner is ideal for the weld. What size rods are you using? It would be worth you spending time practicing the welds especially as these welds will be under stress.
Its also worth noting that a homebuild trailer MUST be subjected to inspection by VOSA under the current rules in place (an eu rule) and many car insurance policies prohibit the use of home made trailers
Its also worth noting that a homebuild trailer MUST be subjected to inspection by VOSA under the current rules in place (an eu rule) and many car insurance policies prohibit the use of home made trailers
Engineer1964
Member
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For building your own trailer and to weld with radius box section i would recommend a mig welder and treat the joint as a VEE prep.
if the case is that now you need to get the trailer tested you'll want the welds to look their best and appear strong
This may be unhelpful as I was using TIG welding, but I made up a machine bench from 30x30x3 box, and I found the joins at the radius to really help, it is like said before, a vee prep.
Only thing I found you had to pay a little attention to was biassing the weld to the radiused part, as the end of the box you are welding is a relatively thin edge and you don't want to burn it away. Only other thing was to beware of doing a concave weld, which is probably less likely with MIG anyway.
Only thing I found you had to pay a little attention to was biassing the weld to the radiused part, as the end of the box you are welding is a relatively thin edge and you don't want to burn it away. Only other thing was to beware of doing a concave weld, which is probably less likely with MIG anyway.
oilcooled :)
Pipe Welder, Mechanical engineer
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- Ireland
use 3.2 mm, rods on there lower to mid rating on the box,, , ,
Drains
Yeah, nah.
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Trevor, this should be easy. No prep required at all and no special skills, or a mig (though it would of course be easier) but some decent practice so you can control the arc length properly, would be a boon. 2.5's will be fine; 3.2's will also be ok with that material. Don't use anything smaller though - really!
A couple of questions - what amps are you running at, and what make are the rods?
A couple of questions - what amps are you running at, and what make are the rods?
