Welder Burns Through Metal

[ross932c]

Hello, I've recently been building a table from metal tubing from an arial I had lying around. I have a problem when welding the metal though. I burn right through the metal. It happens most of the time but not all. I am using a 50 amp stick wleder, with 1/16 sticks. I find myself having to just tack all around the tube. Is that going to be strong? What is stronger tacking over and over till I get all the way around or just laying a full bead? Also is there anyway to stop te burnthrough? Thanks

[BillC]

What rod, current, and polarity are you running? How thick is the tube wall and what are you welding it too?

[ross932c]

I'm welding the tube to itself. The tube thickness is 1\16 or 2mm.

[ross932c]

A lincoln fixed 50 amp hobby, AC welder.

[Main]

Metal tubing from an arial ? And just what type of metal is this tubing?

[bomberz1qr20]

Originally posted by Main
Metal tubing from an arial ? And just what type of metal is this tubing?

Wait, an aerial? ??

As in a TV antenna? Most likely it's aluminum.

[Sberry]

That tubing is light and good tight fitup would help. Tacking up a few spots will help heat sink. I would tack up some and maybe fill the gaps a bit, then chip the slag off and come back and run a bead over top. Most sticks for that machine will be whip and pause rod, 6011 or 6013. If you are just trying to burn them around there its going to burn thru.

[kllrjo]

2 things come to mind, 1-the "arial" tubing is galvinized and by the time you burn through the coating, you`v overheated the base material, 2- try a 3/32 rod to lower the amperage on the machine [fixed 50 amp machine?]

[MAC702]

When you say "tack," is the small weld laying on top just to hold it momentarily, or is it actually a small bead that got penetration? I'm going to assume the latter. In this case, with the small thickness of your stock, if you were to "tack" it in this way all the way around, filling in the gaps after it cools, I think you would have as strong a joint as you can expect in this type of material, and for your purposes. With the limited capabilities of your machine and materials, I would not hesitate to build your project in this manner.

[Dave Haak]

off topic...but..........

ross932c,

I can't tell if your avatar is smiling?????


Dave


Thanks again to the person who originally posted this. I won't name names...but feel free to chime in.

[pepster]

Ross, if that material is galvanized be sure to weld outside and stay up wind. It will produce toxic fumes.
Pepster

[keyen]

Originally posted by pepster
Ross, if that material is galvanized be sure to weld outside and stay up wind. It will produce toxic fumes.
Pepster

how can i identify galvanized steel?

[MAC702]

Originally posted by keyen
how can i identify galvanized steel?

You can usually tell by appearance. In some climates, if it ain't rusted, assume its galvanized! The best example I can think of is chain-linked fencing. It has a silvery, mottled appearance, for the most part.

[Wood-N Steel]

Galvie is magnetic

[keyen]

Originally posted by Wood-N Steel
Galvie is magnetic

isn't mild steel also magnetic?

would exhaust piping be galvanized?