MIG welding a sleeve around a solid bar

[kelvinjouhar]

As per the thread title.. I am making an architectural piece (non critical, non load-bearing) that involves welding a square section with 2mm walls around the outside of the end of a solid 12mm square bar. My welder (Thermal Arc 181i) can do up to 180A, which is 6mm according to the manual.

Could someone please suggest a technique that could work for this - I will obviously practice on some scrap first, but it would be good to start off on the right foot. I was wondering about drilling, say, a 8mm hole inside the first few cms of the square bar to reduce the metal - is that a viable plan ?

Thanks very much.

 

[dan.taylor.1]

Surely just slip it over the bar and weld round the end? Maybe make some slits up the length of the box then weld the slit up? If your worried about your welder only been able to weld 6mm, you needn't be as your welding 2mm with the box.

Dan

 

[kelvinjouhar]

Thanks for your reply Dan - if its that simple, that is great - I had been imagining that I would need to get penetration of the 12mm bar to achieve a solid join.... thats why I was thinking about drilling it out ! OK, I will practice that, on some scrap. Thank you.

 

[Robotstar5]

Start the weld on the solid bar and "wash" it onto the box section, it will be strong enough to hold it in place.

 

[BrokenBiker]

if its not load bearing then you could do it with a 90 amp machine. Just slide the box over the bar, weld the surfaces that contact and job done

 

[kelvinjouhar]

Thanks very much for all replies.