Welding 7/16 steel

[metalmeltr]

We recently started using Mo-Clamp's Full Frame Anchoring System http://www.moclamp.com/4070hpage.html.

As seen in this photo the pinchweld clamp does not hold the thick mouunting flange well because they are designed to clamp steet metal not thick steel.
mo%u00252520clamp%2520tie%2520down.jpg

moclamp.jpg

My proposed solution is to weld a larger piece of steel to the mounting flange so that it may be directly bolted to the clamping plate.
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The problem is that the flange is about 7/16" it may be closer to 3/8" or 1/2" I haven't measured the thickness of it but it is in that range. I know that stick welding is going to be the best way to go about this, but since this is in a body shop we are not equipped to make this weld.

Our machine shop has Precision TIG 225, but I do not know if they have the stringer for SMAW.

At home we have an Airco 180 amp AC only welder.

Can the Airco welder make this weld-assuming worst case scenario full 1/2".

What size 7018 rod should be used in this case-I plan to v groove both sides of the weld and make multiple passes. Am I correct in remembering that there is a 7018 AC rod?

[harcosparky]

Cannot help you with the rest of your question but I do know they make 7018 AC electrodes ....

http://www.tractorsupply.com/hobart-...-1-lb--3896214

I know my son is working on welding 1/2" steel in school and they are using 1/8" 7018 rod.

He brought some pieces home to practice on and his instructor said to use 1/8" 7018 and it is definitely multi pass welding.

[MMW]

Don't over think it.
Your options are
1- stick weld it with the Lincoln.
2- If it doesn't have a stinger then take the one from the Airco.
3- If you can't do that then tig weld it with the Lincoln.
4- Stick weld it with the Airco using 5/32 or 1/8 7018ac rods.
5- Tack it up & take it to a welder.

[metalmeltr]

Will the older airco cable connectors, just a straight copper plug about 5/16" in diameter, work in the precision tig?

[MMW]

Will the older airco cable connectors, just a straight copper plug about 5/16" in diameter, work in the precision tig?

Probably not.

[metalmeltr]

That's what I figured, so that eliminates option 2, but if 180 amp on a 7018 ac rod is more than enough power I will probably just do it at home with the Airco.