Welding dissimilar thickness materials?

[dragoneggs]

Okay another post to get some chatter going... what are folks thoughts on welding dissimilar thickness mild steel (and aluminum if different). Just wondering about any tricks or techniques that make for an optimum weld in these situations. For instance I am making a stand for my grinder. I have a piece of 12x12x1/2in plate for the bottom and some 2in square tube 1/8in wall for the post. I plan to butt the post against the center of the plate.

So, I have 1/8in edge weld to 1/2in field. Should I just weld as I would putting two 1/8in together, or do I increase volts, wire speed, change angle of MIG gun? Appreciate your thoughts and reasons.

 

[muddstopper]

I would probably have the plate lying on the welding table and the tube standing on it, I would concentrate my weld on the thicker plate and weave into the tube to tie it together.

 

[yomax4]

I just focus the arc on the thicker part and wash the puddle over to the thinner part being careful not to blow through.

 

[Shield Arc]

I run a J pattern. Keep the long side of the J on the thicker material. Let the curl of the J bounce onto the thinner material.

 

[dragoneggs]

Yep thanks, mud and yo! My plan so far... wondering if my voltage or wire speed should be different than if I was doing 1/8 to 1/8? I think I will leave it as I normally do... rather than get cute and risk a blow out.

 

[dragoneggs]

I run a J pattern. Keep the long side of the J on the thicker material. Let the curl of the J bounce onto the thinner material.

Makes sense, I will try that motion... thanks SA.

 

[Big Barn]

Best to weld a bit at a time and allow to cool if you intend to have that 1/2" 12"x12" plate sit flat on the floor.

Or you could weld a heavy washer on the underside of each corner (of the base) if needed.

OR not sure if you intend on mounting the plate on something else..?

I welded 1/2" plate onto an angle iron base for my grinder. Photo shows the underside before welding.

 

[dragoneggs]

Best to weld a bit at a time and allow to cool if you intend to have that 1/2" 12"x12" plate sit flat on the floor.

Or you could weld a heavy washer on the underside of each corner (of the base) if needed.

I'm thinking of some hard rubber bushings mounted on some (Click Bond) adhesive bonded studs so I don't have drill in my concrete slab like I did with my compact bender. I'll post some pics if folks are interested in the bonded mounting solution.

 

[Shield Arc]

Best to weld a bit at a time and allow to cool if you intend to have that 1/2" 12"x12" plate sit flat on the floor.

Perfect opportunity to play with some heat shrinking. :thumbsup:

 

[Big Barn]

I'm thinking of some hard rubber bushings mounted on some (Click Bond) adhesive bonded studs so I don't have drill in my concrete slab like I did with my compact bender. I'll post some pics if folks are interested in the bonded mounting solution.

I like that idea as opposed to drilling. DO post the pics. That might be a good solution for a lot of applications.