Welding pipe

[Toffy]

I thought i would share this as I'm sure there are people like me out there who would like to make good joints out of pipe.
There is nothing more frustrating unless you are a welder and do this all the time.
There is a program that allows you to put in the dimensions and angles that you want to work with. All you do is fill in the blanks and than print out a pattern that is transferable to the pipe. Grind or cut the angle and than weld. It's that simple and fool proof. If there are standard angles i use a lot i make them out of plastic so they last as long as required.
Go to GOOGLE and type in "Tube Miter" Download the program and your all set.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Thanks for the hint. I'd heard of programs like this, but I always thought they cost a few hundred dollars.

Do you have a link to the specific site you downloaded the program from? I did the search you suggested and it brought up a bunch of metric programs. Maybe that's what I'll have to work with.

 

[Workstead]

Here's another one that is for inch or metric. It will give a template for pipe that is from 0.1 inch to 10 inches.

Tube Coping Calculator
Tube Coping Calculator

Clem

 

[Workstead]

Here's another thread that has a few entries that show how to notch pipe up to 2 inches.

Chop Saw Notching
Chop saw notching 101 (With pictures) - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board

Clem

 

[towmotor]

They make templates for that?

I make my own, but fitting was my occupation for 15 years, so I guess I ought to know how.
I'll admit I cheat a bit these days by using Auto Cad for my templates, mostly because my kids have a habit of taking off with my compass (a must when making your own wrap-around notching templates).

 

[AKwelder]

when we are going to cut a lot of the same miters we go to the local HVAC shop and they burn a pattern out of tin. They use a computer controlled plasma torch that they use to make duct work.

Works great and lasts for years

 

[Cami]

I needed to learn how to draft cope templates in trade school but have used Pipe Joint Template Software

...still fire up the t-square for oddball joints or if I feel like doing a little drawing.

If you have a finished joint already, then wrap a piece of paper around it and rub it with your dirty hands so the contour is transferred; instant template. I do this to replace tattered old templates.

@AKwelder: Tin templates are a good idea; which I intend to steal. When I need a template to last I use card stock or gasket paper. If you want a template that really lasts, make one with a tube/pipe whose ID matches the OD of your work. If you drill and tap a hole then you can use a bolt to clamp it in place....and if the wall thickness is good enough you can use it as a torch guide.

 

[AKwelder]

we have the tin knockers spot weld angle to each end that we can clamp. I was doing 36 inch pipe for the last one.

or we use a pipe beveling machine, replace the dogs with all thread, set the angle, and straight cut the pipe. you have to twist the barrel in and out to correct distance away from the steel

 

[Willl]

Good luck, never could get this to work for me. Not really a paper guy.

I used a buddy's pipe notcher and was really impressed with what I could achieve on my first try.

IF you already have a drill press, this 'add on' is a must.

First off,,,,this is NOT my picture and NOT my work, but I swear,,, it looked just like it.

http://www.captalrice.com/images/Fuselage/TripleJoint4.5.jpg

 

[Cami]

Spot weld angle on so you can clamp? I'm going to steal that idea too...

For sheet metal guys this sort of thing is their bread and butter.

 

[Gary Fowler]

For all you not so inclined paper layout guys, templet sets are available for just about all sizes and types of miters at most welding supply stores. They are usually cut out of thin gasket material so they last for every if taken reasonable care of. Also Brown Book Store in Houston Texas cares all kinds of technical books. Pipefitters Handbooks by WV Graves is a good one. It has step by step instructions on how to layout a miter directly on the pipe. This is available on their website

 

[weldingisfun]

Try this one
SNiP Sawing Notch in Pipe

 

[Workstead]

Try this one
SNiP Sawing Notch in Pipe

I like this one.

I hope it stays available until I can get to my pipe projects.

Clem

 

[alltoys]

I needed to learn how to draft cope templates in trade school but have used Pipe Joint Template Software

...still fire up the t-square for oddball joints or if I feel like doing a little drawing.

If you have a finished joint already, then wrap a piece of paper around it and rub it with your dirty hands so the contour is transferred; instant template. I do this to replace tattered old templates.

@AKwelder: Tin templates are a good idea; which I intend to steal. When I need a template to last I use card stock or gasket paper. If you want a template that really lasts, make one with a tube/pipe whose ID matches the OD of your work. If you drill and tap a hole then you can use a bolt to clamp it in place....and if the wall thickness is good enough you can use it as a torch guide.

That is an excellent program. It has size of ajoining pipe, wall thickness, angle of attachment and lateral offset. Everything you wanted to know and afraid to ask. To think I did it the hard way all these years.

 

[R W]

Thanks for the useful information

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Lots of good options. The saw angle one posted by Weldingisfun is interesting and practical. I can also see the value of compensating for wall thickness in the link posted by Cami.


I've had good results in the past with Winmiter - a pretty basic downloadable program.
Pipe ans Tube Joint Software

Now I have a holesaw notcher from HF that needed a little fine tuning but now it works good.

 

[Workstead]

Lots of good options. .
.
.

Now I have a holesaw notcher from HF that needed a little fine tuning but now it works good.

Brad,

I have one of these I haven't used yet. What did you fine tune?

What type of saws do you use?

Clem