quick Newb fab question

[bad_religion_au]

If i'm trying to weld two pieces of Square tubing together, am i better off (which is stronger) cutting the ends i'm joining at 45 degrees, and welding them together, or keep the flat ends, and weld them like that?

here's a paint diagram to explain what i mean. red is the weld bead (and i will be diagonally bracing as well, i'm just interested in the corner bit)

 

[2mbb]

The length of the weld is longer with the 45degree angle. Therefore I think the result would be overall stronger. however, the direction the forces are applied is probably important too.

 

[-Spike-]

The weld should be at least as strong as the steel if done correctly, so it shouldn't matter. Either way the steel should fail before the weld. I only concern myself with whether or not I want the open end of the tube or if it needs to be closed.

-Spike

 

[bad_religion_au]

cool, i was making some plans up for a few "learner" projects, and just wanted to make sure that there wasn't a wrong way to do it.

as for the forces applied, the vertical bar it's basically a table leg, and the horizontal is the table frame.

 

[MOfj40]

Either would be fine. The quick and dirty way is butt them and go. The better looking way would be to 45 the ends so you don't end up with open tube. If you're concerned about strength then add a 45* gusset on the inside of your joint.

 

[flaminbandit]

the neatest way to do it is to cut a 90deg chunk outta the steel and bend it then weld the 3 sides that are open

but practise running a bead first on some scrap steel before you even start on anything you actually wanna use and when you can run a decent lenght bead move onto something you might wanna use

buy a a magnetic clamp there great for keeping stuff square while you tac it together

 

[bad_religion_au]

but practise running a bead first on some scrap steel

buy a a magnetic clamp there great for keeping stuff square while you tac it together

definately is the plan, for both