Welding thick metal

[JasonW]

So I’ve finally saved up and bought a pole barn but needed something to help lift posts and trusses. I had bought a scissor lift to help with it but recently got a KX040.

Yesterday ended up finding a homemade/well built boom jib from a KX057. Which has a different quick coupler than my KX040.

So long story short I have to cut the mounting ears off the boom and weld on new ears sized for the KX040.

What would be the best way to weld 1/2” to 3/4” plate? I have experience welding but nothing this thick. I have a Miller 215 and a Miller Thunderbolt XL, and Lincoln square wave 205. So I should be covered on machines.

 

[#40Fan]

Bevel and pre-heat. Lay it on thick with many passes.

 

[JasonW]

Bevel and pre-heat. Lay it on thick with many passes.

Any preference to process? All mig? All stick? Root pass with stick and finish with mig?

 

[EPIC]

Stick or MiG will work…. Assuming you are not welding in a windy area. High winds can blow the shielding gas away.

Concur with bevel and pre-heat.

But don’t forget that weld heat can and will pull material out of square, so make sure you have it braced well before you start!

I would use MiG assuming the wind issue can be solved.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I just use mig.

 

[Tarmy]

As noted…bevel, clean area, heat…lots of heat(amps), and get a good root pass in to layer on top of…watch distortion or movement on early passes.

 

[hagrid]

7018 in 5/32 diameter.

 

[John T]

propane weed burner works great for preheating
I used one for a long time before I discovered the turbo torch

 

[whatsupdoc]

Use what ever method you are better at mig or stick. When I welded for a living (only for a short time)
I would do a root pass with 6010 then fill with 7018

 

[jaxs]

Use what ever method you are better at mig or stick. When I welded for a living (only for a short time)
I would do a root pass with 6010 then fill with 7018

That's what lots of pipe welds spec so it must be good.

 

[JasonW]

I would say I’m better at MIG as I haven’t stick welding anything in probably a decade. I have torches so I’m covered on the preheating.