Welding Tips and Tricks

Hey there, I have a question regarding pipe beveling, I want to bevel some pipe anything from 4" 5" 8" dia and 10mm to 1" thick, what can i use to cut a nice uniform bevel, what would you typically use in a welding school to do this ?

I assume this is for pipe welding practice. The pipe school I went to would cut the coupons with a band saw then bevel them on a lathe. That saves material and you don't have the reverse bevel an actual "pipe beveler" tool will leave on the other side of the coupon. If you want to know about in the field beveling there are machines called "pipe bevelers that lock onto the pipes and use a machine torch to travel around the pipe to cut it to length and bevel it at the same time. Here is a link to H&M's site. They have videos on the different type of bevelers out there.

http://hmpipe.com/

Enjoy

If its just low carbon steel you can bevel it with a torch. It's not a common method anymore it seems. You'll need an angle head torch with your choice of fuel gas. A wrap around, soap stone, tape measure, etc( figure you know this). Roll it as you cut or practice in position. You'll want a 37 1/2 degree bevel angle approx. Just have a grinder handy for any mistakes. I learned to bevel this way and its a handy skill sometimes. You'll appreciate a good fit using this method too.

nickn372 wrote:I assume this is for pipe welding practice. The pipe school I went to would cut the coupons with a band saw then bevel them on a lathe. That saves material and you don't have the reverse bevel an actual "pipe beveler" tool will leave on the other side of the coupon. If you want to know about in the field beveling there are machines called "pipe bevelers that lock onto the pipes and use a machine torch to travel around the pipe to cut it to length and bevel it at the same time. Here is a link to H&M's site. They have videos on the different type of bevelers out there.

http://hmpipe.com/

Enjoy

Hi thanks for the reply, I didn't realise they were called coupons and a google search later I found a company selling these, I want to practice my open butt root pass on pipe, anyway im interested in knowing what size diameter you could bevel on a lathe ?

That depends on what size the swing of the lathe is. Most lathes can do 6" easily. Unless you have a small hobby lathe. Then all you have to do is get your cutters set to the bevel. Most machine shops would turn these out rather quickly if you provide the pipe sections cut to length.

Personally, I'm opposed to lathe-cut coupons for practice.

Cut them with a torch, and grind them. I can cut an approximate 37* bevel with a plain cutting tip, and I've done it to 7/8" wall thickness. Then grind that sucker clean, and set your land.

It won't be nearly as accurate as a lathe-cut coupon, but that's the point for practice. When you can do it well with the uneven, slightly off stuff you grind and fit yourself, a weld test on a lathe-cut coupon is gravy.

Steve S

Used homemade guide rings about the pipe to rest the torch and the cut is uniform and minimizes grinding.

Alexa