Master the Basics of Exhaust Welding in Just a Few Simple Steps!
Welding exhaust tubing in your garage is one of the most cost-effective ways to handle your car’s exhaust system. You need a good stick welder to do it, plus some patience and concentration. A step-by-step guide to welding exhaust tubing and some safety tips will help you get started.
The first and most important step to welding exhaust tubing is to get the perfect cuts. Measure and mark where you plan to cut and use chain pipe cutter, or a hacksaw if doing this job on a budget, to make straight cuts. Getting a good straight cut with a hacksaw is not the easiest task, but it’s important in order to make sure pieces seamlessly fit together for welding. After completing the cut, use a grinder to buff out any imperfections that resulted from the cutting process.
Once all the pieces are cut and ready to be welded, it’s important to make sure they fit together perfectly, as it can be difficult to make adjustments after welding. Clamp all the pieces together with a C-clamp made specifically for welding to hold them in place while you weld.
The best way to begin welding exhaust tubing is to begin with a round of spot welds. With spot welds, the heat is much lower and you reduce the likelihood of warping. Place four small welds around the circumference of the tubing, doing one side at a time, and then checking the opposite side for gaps. If gaps exist due to warping, you’ll be able to easily adjust them before welding.
After spot welding, fill in the rest of the gaps with a 100-percent weld around the circumference of the tubing. This ensures that the steel pieces are snugly fit together and will prevent any leakages in the future. Doing this also creates a smoother surface for the tubing, making it look neater.
When welding exhaust tubing, safety is of utmost importance. Make sure you wear all of the necessary safety gear such as gloves, goggles and face shields to protect yourself from any flying sparkles. Additionally, Work outside and away from your car since the welding process can easily ignite any combustible materials in the area.
Welding exhaust tubing is not a complicated process as long as you keep safety at the forefront and pay attention to every detail. Utilize the steps above and you should be able to successfully weld your exhaust tubing and save some money in the process.
