Question about weld grinding for best appearance

[gkent]

There seems to be a lot of concern about your grinding but if I understand it correctly, you're lacking filler material. You either need to make another pass or two or use a weave on the top weld so that there is sufficient material to fill the void.

[jfk92]

John why are you using 6010? Are you doing an open root then capping it with 7018? Why not just do a 30 degree bevel and butt them and just run 7018. Joe

Hey Joe! Was looking for your input! I was only thinking a root of 6010 as that is what I've been taught as standard practice for structural joints - with 6010 to get 'better penetration' thus used as the root. But I wasn't sure it was necessary - or if it differs from a butt joint to a fillet weld joint. I think I might forget about the 6010 and just run a couple 7018's - it'll be easier for me!

[MMW]

Bevel both sides & weld with 7018 will be fine. If you positively need 100% penetration then after welding the first side root, flip it over & grind out the second side till your into the first weld. Then weld it up alternating sides to minimize pulling.

The real question you need to figure out is why did it break in the first place? If this isn't fixed then it will most likely fail again unless it was a one time incident that doesn't normally occur.

[Cgotto6]

Flap disk for sure. Impossible to have the control with an abrasive grinding wheel. I like norton multi flaps.

[MMW]

Flap disk for sure. Impossible to have the control with an abrasive grinding wheel. I like norton multi flaps.

I disagree with the grinding wheel comment. I've done hundreds of machine bases over the years where all outside seams had to be ground flush. 7" type 28 wheel followed by a 36 grit sanding disc. This is the fastest we found. It's in the technique. Most newbies tend to dig & leave a valley.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#type-28-gri...wheels/=lenkx2



http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-sanding-discs/=lenlbj

[Cgotto6]

Flap disk for sure. Impossible to have the control with an abrasive grinding wheel. I like norton multi flaps.

I disagree with the grinding wheel comment. I've done hundreds of machine bases over the years where all outside seams had to be ground flush. 7" type 28 wheel followed by a 36 grit sanding disc. This is the fastest we found. It's in the technique. Most newbies tend to dig & leave a valley.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#type-28-gri...wheels/=lenkx2



http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-sanding-discs/=lenlbj

Ill agree with you on that. Doing the rough decking with an abrasive to knock it down, but as we both said the best appearance/finish still needs to be done by sanding.

[Portable Welder]

MMW, You are dead on, Not enouph filler metal.

Thats one of the first things I have to teach a guy before I turn them loose with a grinder on a hand rail.

You need to keep the grinding wheel on the weld and keep the grinder relatively flat.

I can seem a pipe together and you will never find my weld, keep the ginder flat and on top of the weld.

However all that is useless unless you have enouph filler metal.