Ive got to join my CAT to my exhuast to fit the exhaust in before it hits the rear arches.
Luckily i dont have to take much off and ive been practicing on some stainless pipe the same diameter and thickness, while the weld is perfectly fine i do find it rather hard to do really good Tig welds round the 2.5inch dia pipe, anyone got any tips or tricks to get nice looking welds? one thing ive not done fill the practice pipe with argon which i intend to do with the real work piece or will the argon damage the CAT? i would guess not...

Argon is an inert gas, it means it does not react with metals.....
at least at metal melting temperatures...

err yes i know that hence why its used as a shielding gas, i dont think it would damage the CAT but its always worth asking first.

I guess you are trying to weld 2.5 inch to 2.5inch in a butt weld with a little gap ? if you intend to purge the weld (fill pipe with gas)
when blocking the ends of the pipe off make sure there is a little hole for the argon to escape.ie argon flowing in oneside and out the other (if you have to much pressure in the pipe the it will push your weld out when your finishing)
there are lots of different ways of doing it thats just one.
if your practice ones dont come out so well i'd be happy to go through a different method with you good luck

Neil

[Edited on 3/4/07 by rebelrider]

if your stuck bring it down to me i will weld it for you no bother, just outside Chorley.

have you a pic of what you are welding
adam

i like the lego idea the proper tables are quite expensive.

ah excellent idea Mark! im sure i could knock something up like that, i can probably pinch a motor out of one of my sons old toy cars and gear it down!

I tried that with two skateboard trucks with wheels screwed to a board, but found it difficult to turn the pipe slowly enough

Cheers

Fred W B

if you need an extra pair of hands to turn the pipe as suggested let me know.