Can I weld an extension on a toolbar?

[sixdogs]

I have a toolbar like the one shown here and want to add an extension on each side:



The above photo is off the net.


It's 2 1/4" tubing that's 1/4" thick and mine is 42" wide. I would like it to be 14" wider on each side. Since I'm not a regular welder, can I weld a 14" piece of the same tubing on each side and will it be as strong as the tubing itself? I want to use it as a cultivator and there will be pretty good pressure on it. I thought of slipping a piece of 2" tubing inside as extra support but there is a small seam inside that seems to prevent that idea. It's not easy to just replace the tubing because of it's design.

I am capable of making a good penetrating weld on this but have never done such a project and my dumb question is will it work? I know the weld is supposed to be as strong as the metal itself and I have not had a weld failure since my learning days but I thought to ask you guys here since you weld every day and already know the answers. Any advice appreciated.

 

[mrmikey]

Put a piece inside is the best way. Grind a groove on the inside tube to allow clearance for the weld...............Mike

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Like mike said a piece inside I The pieces better. 2" will fit inside 2 1/2 except for the seam. I have done this with 2" and 1 1/2" inside. Just grind out the seam and some of the corners is needed. I used a burr on a die grinder. The piece of 2" inside helps reduce distortion also.

Ron

 

[sixdogs]

I have a piece of solid 2" that I could use.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I have a piece of solid 2" that I could use.

That will suck a lot of your heat when welding, need to raise your amps. A small MIG will probably not fuse into the bar unless you leave enough gap to weld to it both sides first, just up the amps. Definitely help with distortion.

Ron

 

[Egon]

Add some external bracing.

 

[sixdogs]

That will suck a lot of your heat when welding, need to raise your amps. A small MIG will probably not fuse into the bar unless you leave enough gap to weld to it both sides first, just up the amps. Definitely help with distortion.

Ron

I have a Miller MP210 but could easily tack and take to a shop nearby. I don't have any rods but just use solid wire or flux core for thicker things.

 

[RNeumann]

Your machine will weld that just fine. As has been stated above some internal and or external bracing will probably need to be added.
Typically the weld is stronger that the surrounding steel. The issue will be the added 14” of leverage.
I’ll vote against taking it to a shop. You have the welder and the skill to make this happen! Get er done!

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

Since you'll be doing a weld with a backer, bevel the edges to a knife edge, leave enough gap to weld all 3 pieces together.

By doing it this way, you guarantee a fully penetrated weld. It's a pretty foolproof method in my opinion.

If I don't have a tube handy that fits, I just tack 4 flats in position and use those as the backer.

 

[sandfs]

When splicing square tube, or any tube, using an insert plug welds are your friend. Plug welds a couple of inches out from the splice point.They'll take a lot of stress off the weld itself.

Having said that, I'd consider a truss type gusset either forward or reward to take some of the stress off those ends way out there.