TIG welded stainless steel tube method
time2011/11/29
Welding stainless steel pipe requires a process that allows precise control over heat and weld puddle formation. Tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding provides the precision heat control required to form a strong weld without warping the pipe. A proper TIG weld will melt into both sides of the weld joint while not blowing into the inside opening of the pipe. Test welding two pieces of stainless steel pipe will ensure the proper weld settings and ensure the weld does not enter the interior of the pipe.
Run an angle grinder with a hard wheel around the end of the vise to place a 15-degree bevel on the end of the stainless steel pipes.Remove the beveled pipe from the pipe vise. Repeat the process to place a bevel on one end of the second piece of pipe. Leave the second piece of pipe secured in the pipe vise.Push the open end of the hose running from a gas regulator into the non-beveled end of the pipe secured in the pipe vise. Cover the end of the pipe with duct tape to hold the pipe in place and seal the pipe. Connect the regulator to a bottle of argon gas. Turn the valve handle counterclockwise to start flowing gas into the pipe.
Set the beveled end of the first stainless steel pipes against the beveled end of the pipe secured in the pipe vise.Place a combination square across the two pieces of pipe. Ensure both pieces of pipe are sitting even with the bottom of the combination square blade.Turn on a TIG welder. Hold the TIG torch in the weld joint. Activate and hold the torch in the weld joint for two seconds to tack the pieces together. Rotate the pipes 1/4 turn. Place a second tack weld in the weld joint. Repeat the process two more times to place four total tack welds between the two pieces of pipe.
Run an angle grinder with a hard wheel around the end of the vise to place a 15-degree bevel on the end of the stainless steel pipes.Remove the beveled pipe from the pipe vise. Repeat the process to place a bevel on one end of the second piece of pipe. Leave the second piece of pipe secured in the pipe vise.Push the open end of the hose running from a gas regulator into the non-beveled end of the pipe secured in the pipe vise. Cover the end of the pipe with duct tape to hold the pipe in place and seal the pipe. Connect the regulator to a bottle of argon gas. Turn the valve handle counterclockwise to start flowing gas into the pipe.
Set the beveled end of the first stainless steel pipes against the beveled end of the pipe secured in the pipe vise.Place a combination square across the two pieces of pipe. Ensure both pieces of pipe are sitting even with the bottom of the combination square blade.Turn on a TIG welder. Hold the TIG torch in the weld joint. Activate and hold the torch in the weld joint for two seconds to tack the pieces together. Rotate the pipes 1/4 turn. Place a second tack weld in the weld joint. Repeat the process two more times to place four total tack welds between the two pieces of pipe.