Level Rod Tripod

Level Rod Tripod

Stainless steel pipe welding is gravy work. Always has been. Always will be.

If you can do it and do it well, you are the man and you will never go hungry. But it takes some attention to detail to do it right.

The main thing that separates the men from the boys or should I say, the real welders from the rod burners is the willingness to follow procedures for welding stainless steel. Procedures like waiting for the pipe to cool in between passes, keeping the hot tip of the rod shielded with argon, snipping the tip of the tig welding rod when it gets crapped up, keeping your tungsten sharp.

One of the main procedures I am talking about is PURGE. Stainless steel absolutely has to be purged with argon gas in order to prevent sugaring. Sugaring is also called granulation but it is severe oxidation no matter what you call it.

You cant even get away with tack welding without an argon purge that shield the back side or inside of the pipe. So how do you do it? How do you protect the back side with argon?

Usually it is done with aluminum duct tape. The ends of a stainless steel pipe are taped shut and the whole inside is purged with argon gas. Even the opening in the pipe joint itself is taped so that argon can fill the entire pipe and push out any oxygen. The tape is peeled back just enough to get a tack once the pipe is purge enough.

What is enough? The only way to tell for sure is with an oxygen analyzer. A bic lighter will not do the trick. Even 2% oxygen content will blow out a bic lighter. And 2% oxygen will result in a black root pass.

There are some other down and dirty ways to check the purge but an oxygen analyzer is the sure way.

Here are a few tips that will help you get a good purge on the stainless steel pipe you weld.

• Make sure there is no water inside the pipe...not even a drop. One single drop of water will throw a monkey wrench in your purging until it evaporates. Remember what is in water? Hydrogen and oxygen.
•   Poke a vent hole in the uppermost place you can find. Think of argon as if it was water. Because it is heavier than air, it will fill up any space like water, displacing the air as it fills every nook and cranny.
• More purge gas flow is not always better. A high and turbulent flow of argon will not necessarily purge a pipe quicker than a lower flow rate. And a diffuser on the end of the end of your argon hose usually allows you to use a higher flow rate. A homemade diffuser can be made with some stainless steel wool , some perforated stainless sheet, and a bit of sheet metal.

Once you verify a good purge, you are ready to tack. Peel the tape back just enough to tack and let cool a bit and re tape. Then tack again 180 degrees apart. Continue until all tacks are in place.

More  tips for welding stainless pipe...

•  Laying an 1/8 inch wire in the root works better than dipping a 3/32 inch rod.
• Use a feather edge bevel. No land needed
• You can fix areas that do not penetrate by re welding
• Use only stainless steel wire brushes and only use files that have only been used on stainless steel.
•  Use just enough amperage. Using too much amperage will overheat the stainless steel and make things go south quick.

To see a short and sweet video and article on welding stainless pipe along with Down and Dirty welding tips, visit http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/ And while you are there sign up for the weekly welding video newsletter

Spectra Precision LL300-2 Laser Level with Tripod and Inches Rod $799.2 Laser Level - LL300-2. Laserometer - HL450. Rod Clamp. 15-ft Inches Rod - GR152. Tripod - 2161. (4) D Alkaline Batteries. Case

David White 45-8926-1 26x Automatic Optical Level with Rod and Tripod $319.99 26x Automatic Optical Level - 45-8926-1. Extension-Leg Dome Head Aluminum Tripod. Aluminum Leveling Rod Graduated in Feet/Inches/8ths. Carrying Case

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Johnson Level 406350 Universal TripodGrade Rod Kit $147.93 Tripod is made of durable aluminum construction with extendable legs. Tripod has quick connection for 5/8 11 threaded lasers. Tripod working range is 4ft to 5ft nominal length. Aluminum grade rod is constructed of heavy duty aluminum with silver anodized finish. Grade rod increments are in feet/tenths on front and feetinches on back.

Factory Reconditioned Spectra Precision AL124-1-RFB 24x Automatic Optical Level Kit $209.99 24x Automatic Optical Level Kit - AL124-1-RFB. Tripod. Rod (Tenths)

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Dw092Pk - 20X Transit Level Kit W/Tripod & Grade Rod $584.81 [115-DW092PK] UPC: 02887747394

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DEWALT DW090PK 20x Builders Level Package $229.99 20x Builders Level Package - DW090PK. Aluminum Tripod w/ Quick Adjust Legs. 8' Aluminum Grade Rod

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Factory Reconditioned Spectra Precision AL224-2-RFB 24x Automatic Optical Level Kit $209.99 24x Automatic Optical Level Kit - AL224-2-RFB. Tripod - 2161. Rod (Inches) - GR132

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60-Alqci20 - Alum Level Tripod $71.97 [6317747] UPC: 644425600492 7.06L x 6.91W x 35.74H 10 LB 1.01 Cubes

CST/berger 55-PLVP26D 26X PAL Series Automatic Level Kit $279.99 26X PAL Series Automatic Level Kit - 55-PLVP26D. Tripod - 60-ALQCI20. Rod - 06-808C. Allen Wrench. Plumb Bob. Adjusting Pin. Hard-shell Carrying Case w/ Dual Latches. Instruction Manual

CST/berger 55-SLVP28ND 28X SAL N Series Automatic Level Kit $279.99 28X SAL "N" Series Automatic Level Kit - 55-SLVP28ND. Tripod. Rod. Allen Wrench. Plumb Bob. Adjusting Pin. Hard-shell Carrying Case w/ Dual Latches. Instruction Manual

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Spectra Precision AL24M-2 24x Automatic Optical Level Magnetically Dampened Kit $229.99 24x Automatic Optical Level Magnetically Dampened Kit - AL24M-2. Adjusting Pin. Plumb Bob. Rain Hood. Hex Key Wrench. User Guide. 15-ft Grade Rod (Inches). Tripod. Hard-shell Carrying Case

Dewalt Dewalt Transit Level DW096PK $336.99 Transit level 26x magnification Auto-leveling for extreme accuracy and ease of set up Accurate to 1/32? per 100' Durable wire-hung, magnetically dampened compensator with an automatic locking mechanism Includes an alumimum tripod, 8' aluminum grade rod, kitbox, and plumb bob Brand #: Dewalt DW096PK UPC: 028877473987 Keywords: auto level sight

Bosch PCL 20 Set Laser Level with Tripod. $97.01 Versatile cross line laser level - cross line, horizontal line, vertical line, free angles and plumb point.Comes with tripod and 4 batteries.Measuring range + or - 0.5mmm.Laser class 2.Working range up to 10m.EAN/MPN/UPC/ISBN: 3165140471619.

Johnson 40-6512 Manual-Leveling Rotating Laser Level Kit $399.99 Manual-Level Rotary Laser Level. (4) AA Alkaline Batteries. Wall/Ceiling Mount. 8-ft Grade Rod. Detector. (2) AAA Alkaline Batteries. Detector Clamp. Tinted Glasses. Magnetic Target. Elevating Tripod. Instruction Manual. Hard-Shell Carrying Case

Laser Level Measuring Tape with Tripod Rotatory Base $27.99 Feature:The Laser Tape Measure can be used indoor or outdoorTape Measure made of heavy duty machined aluminum, with yellow powdered coatingLarge, clear level for easy reading. 1 Horizontal and 1 Vertical Level and laser point you can chooseCan use the Measure on a gradient tooAdjustable Tripod Rotatory Base - you can adjust its angle from 0 to 360 degree and level90 Degree adjustable laser line projectorTripod Rotatory Base Measure can be used for: Plotting Tiles, Mounting Light Frames, Installing Cupboards, Aligning Windows, Painting, Carpentry, Etc.Five meters or 16 feet tape available for your measurementSpecification:Laser Category: Brightness of the Light Beam with a range of approx. 45 MeterLength Of the Level varies with your measuring distanceOutput: < 5mWWavelength: 650 nmPower Supply: 2 x 1.5 V AAA BatteriesDimension: 130*100*180(mm)/ L*W*HWeight: 553g

Vanguard MK-4 Tripod $47.99 24.25" 3 3.26 lb 64" Aluminum triangular legs Rubber feet legs 3-Way panhead Quick shoe Gear elevator Bubble level Carrying handle Brace lock A size for every need. The MK-4 is a great tripod at even better pricing. Special to this tripod is an aluminum column and a horizontal leg brace. Floor Standing Tripod MK-4 MK-4 Tripod Vanguard Vanguard(USA), Inc www.vanguardusa.com

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Tie Rod Reinforcing Sleeve $69.99 Tie Rod Reinforcing Sleeve; For Level Lift;

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Landmann Tripod Barbecue $49 Perfect for picnics and camping trips the Landmann Tripod Barbecue can be assembled quickly and easily. Once assembled to a height of 1.5 metres the strong chain will support the large chrome-plated cooking grill which is adjustable in height to control the level of heat applied to the food.

DigiPower TP-TR260 - Tripod. Each $18.11 Manufacturer: DigiPower. Each. Adjustable 4 Section legs with quick release Multi-purpose head with quick release and bubble level 3 way pan head for convenience and practical use Adjustable tension center column Product Type: Tripod Weight: 1.6 lbs Trip

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Sakar VPT-1252 Floor Standing Tripod $10.99 52" 360 degrees Swivel with 3 Way Adjustable Pan Head Rubber Feet Multi-Section Aluminum Legs Quick Release Leg Locks Bubble Level Indicator Center Column Floor Standing Tripod Sakar Sakar International, Inc VIV-VPT-1252 VPT-1252 VPT-1252 Floor Standing Tripod www.sakar.com