limits?

[slag_ch]

I have some projects that will involve welding beyond the capcity of my welder. The welder, an old 115 volt wire feed, the stuff I'll be putting togeather is 1/4 to 3/8" thick. Question is, would it make a stronger weld by chamfering the edge of the thickest piece, then make multi passes or is chamfer not neccisary? mostly shop fixures, ie welding table, stock rack, etc..

[JimDon]

Yes, bevel (chamfer the edge), make sure you chip the slag in between passes if you're using flux core, also, you can preheat pieces with a propane torch to help your welder out.
Jim Don

[slag_ch]

thanks jim, had not thought of "pre-heat", and now that you had mentioned it, i remember my machine shop teacher, from oh so many years ago, having talked about that. found a bunch of 1"x1" stock to build a stock rack with yesterday. may be able to pick up a dozen more pieces today.

[Chuck U&R]

and if you can run beads on both sides so much the better.