1/2" rod......

[Markopolo]

Hi guys ! QUESTION: What's the best way to weld 1/2" solid rod end to end ? I know you don't just butt it up....there would be no penetration.
Do you bevel it a little, and weld around (like pipe) ?....or do you cut an angle on the end, and fill it up from one side ?.....or what ?

I know this isn't a very interesting question for you's guy's, but I was thinking that you would help me out and give me your "2 cents".

P.S. The rod is plain, ol' fashion mild steel... THANKS !.....Marko.

[7018]

marko id bevel it then weld it yup like pipe hope this helps u!!!

if i were doing it i would do like 7018 suggested but would hammer it while still red hot in order to set the grain bounderies relative to the length of of the rod.

[Markopolo]

OK...Thanks ! When we're talking about a bevel, we're not talking about sharpening it up like a pencil, are we ? I thought maybe beveling what.....about an 1/8" ?...(or more ?).

[Franz]

Cheat like hell!
Bevel the ends of the rod at about 60 degrees, like a doorstop, not a pencil.
Lay the 2 rods inside a piece of angle iron so the 2 tips are in contact with each other, and weld the V shut.
Do the blacksmith routine while the iron is still hot enough to move, and you can convince most people it's a blacksmith weld. The hammer will also straighten out any warp you put into the rod welding it.

Welding half inch rod as though it is pipe wastes too much time.

[Markopolo]

Yah Franz......The angle iron will keep the two pieces straight and in alignment......and once I get them stuck together, it's just a matter of filling 'er up ! That's what I thought, just wanted to make sure you guys agreed with ! Now the hammering......what does that do ?
I assume it "forges" the steel to a certain extent,and makes the joint stronger ?....

[Franz]

The hammering part mainly convinces the hot glob of weld to look a lot more like a round rod. Weather or not it contributes much to the quality of the weld deposit is a question I can't answer. It sure can't hurt though.
Besides, if you do enough of them, you will develope what the Blacksmiths call hammer control. That's a good thing to develope.