Verticle Butt Joints

[tab]

Anyone got any tips on how to get these in a straight line? the welds are penetrating and got lots of strength but just want them to look a little neater, dont get me wrong i'm not all over the shop just me being picky really but i'm just after that more proffessional look. vertical fillets i can do but i rest the shroud on the two peices of material then weld the corner.
Is it just a case of practice followed by a lot more practice or has anyone got any trade secrets they would like to share

Tom

 

[madkayaker]

Draw a line? Practice more

 

[tab]

Draw a line? Practice more

I'm leaving about a 1mm gap on the joint so using that as a guide line, i was just wondering if anyone had any tips for keeping steady hands

 

[barny]

How about one of those tig finger heat shield things and rest your hand on the work piece?

 

[tab]

How about one of those tig finger heat shield things and rest your hand on the work piece?

Brilliant idea! Do you know if you can get them in the uk anywhere or do i have to have a look accross the pond? I'm quite suprised there are none on ebay, unless i'm not looking hard enough

 

[hotrodder]

Other's on here have bought 'em direct from the weldingtricks&tips site, there's an entire thread devoted to 'em somewhere i think. All they are is a piece of woven fibreglass or kevlar tubing, the same stuff that's used to protect hoses and cables like for example... http://www.imr-ltd.co.uk/thermosleeve_B.htm. Another source here that offers 'cut to length' which'll make it a bit more paletable than a 50m roll... http://www.birchvalley.co.uk/uploads/Non%20shrink%20Vidaflex%20L1241.pdf

 

[langy]

I use the TIG finger, they are very useful, just order direct they don't take long to arrive,

 

[chriskelland]

Order direct from Jody at the
http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/ website
I think mine only took a couple of days to arrive. Be warned master card put a stop on my card because it was the first time I had ordered from the US. Now have mobile linked to the account so I can OK transactions without having the card stopped.
Have found TF is useful for some arc joints.