butt welding 1" plate

[notme]

or just run a threaded rod thru those lil hole things on the sides, nut on the inside and outside, (4 per rod) tighten them up and that thing aint gonna open up or close up at all. or tack a piece of scrap accros the back if u wanna be cheap.. ;-) but definatly double bevel, so much easier

 

[Arc weld]

When I had to repair my backhoe because the top swing mount ripped off and the bottom 1 1/2" plate bent, I ended up having to grind a bevel in the 1 1/2" plate so I could straighten it. In talking to people experienced with repairs on heavy plate, they suggested against using braces to hold everything from moving. If the piece is restrained from moving actually causes internal stresses from the heat and not being able to expand and contract. I left the plate bend down about 10 deg. and the heat pulled it up a little more than needed. My friend brought his truck out and we used a rosebud to heat it up and pull it into the right position. Some weldments can be clamped to prevent movement but not this type of application. Preheat and peening isn't a bad idea either, just don't beat the crap out of it trying to peen it. That will add stress as well. Looks like it was a pretty good repair though.

 

[sparc]

Strange that you can't find a decent welder (man, not machine) in oil country.
there must be a zillion pipeliners at your local watering hole looking for work,
and most have a welding rig on the back of their truck.

Going to a muffler shop for weld services would not by my choice, first or last.
Might be less expensive but you get what you pay for.

 

[bdog]

It usually was a matter of time. The thing broke and we needed it fixed as quickly as possible so we went to town and stopped at the first place that had a welder.

 

[Gary Fowler]

3/4" is the point at which carbon steel doesn't need to be PWHT to relieve internal stresses from welding as long as you preheat it to 200F before welding. I would have double beveled it even if I had to do it with a grinder if not sure of the cut as you reported. That wouldn't have taken as long as putting on the full single bevel AND about half the time to weld it.
It does not look bad for welding even though it took triple the time, warpage doesn't look bad either.