Anything welding

Could always weld it, then cut it in half and inspect.

 

I like your way better, but I did more or less find my answer.

https://law.resource.org/pub/us/cfr/ibr/003/aws.d1.1.2000.pdf

 

You're citing AWS, which is why I mentioned following the blueprint

There are specifications for different types of welds, as well as the process used for that weld

Ask a vague question, get a vague answer my dude

 

Bro... AWS has so many sections and it doesn't say what the weld size should be for every weld lol. Engineers figure that stuff out. So so so so many factors go into weld size if you get into the math side of it. But we are hobby welders or small time fabricators. A lot of stuff we just decide by trial and error and common sense.

99.9% of the time the weld should at minimum be the size of the thinnest material in the weld joint. But even that can change with bevel sizes and everything lol. And let's say 99% of the time going a little bit bigger on the weld size doesn't hurt anything as long as you can control your heat input.


So reality is nobody here can give you an answer to your question

 

Then there's always ASME, API, NAVSEA, AWS, etc.

AWS alone has over 350 codes lol

 

This.

Hobby welder here too, but shit just the many different welds called for on the structures we created made me thankful I knew how to read blueprints and AWS symbols.

It's a shit ton.

 

I don't know how accurate this is but chatGPT seems to do a pretty good job. He is the output from my chat session.

 

Weld it, and cut it in half. Not sure why you're trying to go against the grain here.

For someone that's been welding for 10 years (even as a hobby) you'd know you just need to have a go at it.

Reading words on a screen is in no way shape or form going to allow you to apply it in real life immediately.

Angle of your torch, travel speed and technique, lens, tungsten used, size filler, size cup, even the amount of shielding gas you're pushing out.

All these will have far more impact than what you're trying to learn from chatgpt or citing AWS regulations.

 

I've been welding for about 15 years. It's only ever been a hobby for me. The problem I have is that typically over engineer everything I build. All I'm trying to do here is reduce the safety factor to something more reasonable.

 

That's respectable and no one should blame you for that.

But really, I encourage you do some test welds and cut them in half.

Bevel any mating surfaces, and run a root pass. Depending on how much you beveled, a hot pass and another cover pass will be perfect.

 

why worry about reducing the safety factor? especially as a hobby welder, on what I am guessing to be hobby projects?

 

I'm going to assume a roll cage or something.

It's why I had one professionally welded and installed in one of my Corvettes, granted it was before I ever got into welding.

 

I would think there would be better ways of reducing weight than shrinking bead size to minimum size. but I have never built a cage, least yet

 

Welder of 10 years and in quality control for 2 now. From telephone poles to nuclear navy submarines... using chatGPT is guessing just as much as asking a homie...

Unless you get an actual engineer involved it's all just educated guesswork on what size weld what needs.

so many factors go into play. Weld process, weld heat input, weld fit up, what the intended result is of the part in terms of flexing and movement, what the carbon content of the material is, etc etc etc.

Not sure what you're building to be so concerned with weld size vs material used but just use good judgement and you'll be fine if you have the experience you say you do

 

First test cut and damn near perfect as neither one sticks out regardless of whatever piece is on bottom



Interesting cause none of the walls on the old bracket are exactly "straight"





Just need to remove 1/16" from each radius and it should be done

 

Second test cut piece, and it's perfect





Too bad all I've got are these Milwaukee bits that everyone says suck so bad; had them for a good 2 years but for some reason they still make holes in this stainless



All done

 

Awesome. Really appreciate it. Goes to show the power to TW!

 

Ha Ha so the current was all flowing through the braided conductor . Trust seem your not the first one.

The bad part is when they never catch the damage when it opens completely and blame the machine.

Yet never send the work lead and clamp in with the machine to be tested.

 

Time and money. If I don't need to make another pass, I can save gas and time.