Welding Tips and Tricks

What are you guys using? Pros and Con's? Worth it or not?

I do a lot of 1.50"-2.00" .065" wall 316L sanitary work and while I have a ok pipe saw I really see the benefit of these the more I do.

I currently cut then hand file all marks and burrs from the edges and hand fit. I demo's an Axxair cordless facing tool and was super impressed for how quick, accurate and mirror smooth it was and it can also bevel. I've also looked at the Orbitalium line.

http://youtu.be/OuV-aFTBcrc

@Markus
@Otto Nobedder

What is the cost of the orbital systems job. It looks great, but probably comes at a price. A bit of work to adapt quickly to different sizes?

Hi Rick and thanks or asking

We have Orbitalum machine. It's really good, but very expensive. Also you have to buy clamping tools for each pipe size.
On orbital welding it's absolute must to have squaring machine.

What kind of pipe saw do you have? That will do for most jobs, if it's decent one. Like this for example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV783uvh66Y


I think squaring machine is not needed for hand welding. One problem is seeing the joint trough welding lens ones pipes are squared. Believe me it's hard
In the other hand, if that machine is not too expensive I would buy it. It will become very handy when you have to cut pipe somewhere high for example. Then it doesn't matter what machine you used and how the bad the cut is, because you can easily square pipe ends with that tool.

Markus has a point I'm sure our sanitary welders can relate to...

When the fit is perfect, it's damn hard to see the line of the joint.

Steve S

Your right of it wasn't for tacks at times it is hard to see...


Exact Tools Unique Pipe Cutting System: http://youtu.be/4b-_SGSwY0g

Here's a link to the saw I have, I originally went for the Orbitalum Scorp but they no longer carried it. If I didnt know better Id say Exact Tools was making the Scorp or copied it identcal. Was turned onto this style saw from a large industrial contractor who does a lot of pipe work. In was told they use it more then there Orbitalum GF4 and the cut quality and edge were just as true.

The cut is actually very nice but after 20 or so cuts the edge quality suffers a good bit, but I am cutting 316L. Right now of I have a tie in up high I use a clamp on saw guide and a portaban or saw all, then file. Since they are hand welded it isn't a huge deal.

Where I really have an issue is welding long sections of straight together if they are off even a little you notice it 10 foot down the tube and me being the perfectionist I am...it just bugs the shit out of me...lol I hate forcing or pulling on pipes for alignment. The facing tool I figured would give me the best of both worlds on my bench or in the ceiling or any other awkward spot I'm in.

With Orbitalum you are also able to do bevels. Comes handy when you need to get a decent bevel in stainless, 1' inch tubing for example.

Those exact machines are really good! We have one that we use for bigger pipes (100-200 mm), but never with sanitary piping or so. It's too big and cut won't be nowhere near as good as with axxair or orbitalum cutting machines.