Welding 1-1.5" steel

Jason_alex · Tue Apr 08, 2014 5:59 pm

Hey guys,

I was wondering how many of you have welded 1"+ A36

What processed did you use/wire. Amp Range? 400+?

Thanks,
Jason

Tue Apr 08, 2014 7:35 pm

The last time I welded that thickness was with 1/8" dual-shield wire. QC was visual and UT.

It's been years, though...

Steve S

AKweldshop · Tue Apr 08, 2014 8:23 pm

What position is it in???
What is the climate conditions??

Me, being a stick man, would crank op some 3/16 rods.

8018 or 7024.

But if you have a ton of it to do, get some big duel-shield....

John~

Superiorwelding · Tue Apr 08, 2014 10:14 pm

Jason_alex wrote:Hey guys,

I was wondering how many of you have welded 1"+ A36

What processed did you use/wire. Amp Range? 400+?

Thanks,
Jason

Jason,
I have a lot of experience welding thicker materials. We run .045 and .052 and metal-core wire on our thicker materials.
Your assumption of 400 amps may not necessarily be accurate. This will depend on how your joint is prepared, preheat temp and wire diameter.
I will pull up our WPS for 1" 1G plate test to give you a better idea. If memory serves me correct it was in the 300-350 amp range. Note: this is obviously a beveled joint, again showing different settings for different joints.
To help out in answering this question, give a specific example you want answered.
As a note in interest, the thickest I have welded to date is 6", didn't realize this until now.
-Jonathan

Jason_alex · Wed Apr 09, 2014 9:21 am

Thank you guys, I figured I would bevel the joint when i weld it. It will in a 1g and 2g position welding both sides of the beam about 16" tall 15" wide and almost a 1" top flange and a .34" web. Just wondering if you are trying to make an air tight weld, 1/4" to 1/4" would you say to use a standard .035 er70s6?

Heavy Metal · Tue May 06, 2014 9:00 pm

Checking my notes.... and FWIW, I know this is the "Mig/flux core" forum, but I've only welded thick steels (>1") under the following procedures:

I used 5/32" Excaliber 7018-1 at about 200 amps when I welded 1.5" AR400 and it was too small of an electrode for the project, but that's what I was provided with.

For 3/16" Excaliber 7028's I used 225 amps in the 1G/2F positions on 1" A36 and 1018 steel.
For 3/16 Excaliber 7018-1 I used 275 amps. For 1.5" A36.