tips for welding a angle iron cube
tips for welding a angle iron cube hey guys, Ive got to build a cube out of 1" angle iron. Has to spec out at like 4.25" square. Ive only been welding like a year now. We dont ever have to weld really, just some brackets or something here and there. I have no doubt I can bust this out pretty fast, but I am just looking for some tips to help ensure it is of the best quality. Its part of a series of test I have to pass to get a raise. I am an electrcian but we are multicraft so we have to know pretty much a dab of everything. I think the key to making the thing pefectly square is just to tack it as not to warp the metal until its all done then go back and finish it up. I am going to buy some of those magnets to help weld right angles too. Just basically looking for any pointers. Like I said, I weld brackets and stuff all the time, but never have to worry about it being real pefect. (usually just a bracket to hold some conduit or something up). Will be using an arc welder. thanks for any advice.
That's an interesting test. Are they going to measure how much force it wil hold? Or is it just a visual?
I'll usually use vice grips or c-clamps, a "square" piece of steel and a square to make sure i've got 90* angles when I tack something up. The magnets work too, just double check everything with a true square. What type of joints are you using? Are you going to notch out the angle, or cut the ends at 45*, or just overlapping them? If you're notching or butting up 45* angles you'll want to make sure you leave a gap(about the width of your rod, maybe a little less) at the weld joint for penetration. Make sure you clean the joints too.
I'll usually use vice grips or c-clamps, a "square" piece of steel and a square to make sure i've got 90* angles when I tack something up. The magnets work too, just double check everything with a true square. What type of joints are you using? Are you going to notch out the angle, or cut the ends at 45*, or just overlapping them? If you're notching or butting up 45* angles you'll want to make sure you leave a gap(about the width of your rod, maybe a little less) at the weld joint for penetration. Make sure you clean the joints too.
nope, there is no "structual" test so to speak, it just has to measure out at 4.25" square. I can do the joints however I want them. It doesnt even have to be pretty I dont guess, long as its what they asked for. I have to make it look good though, as thats how I do things. Im probably just going to notch the ends out as we have a bandsaw that will make quick work of it. The only rules are it has to be square and NO grinding on the welds. 
probably going to try to do it tomorrow if i have time.
probably going to try to do it tomorrow if i have time.
