Welding Structural Columns in the Field! (How To)

#welding #howto #weldingtips If your gonna be a welder, your going to build columns at some point. So I figure I’d put this video out explaining the best way I know to go about it without all the fancy tools.
Here’s my Instagram- / meltinmetalmobile
Here’s some tools I used-
Neck Protecter- amzn.to/3zicvz2
Welding Hat-amzn.to/3ow3BI1
Fire Ball Tool Square- fireballtool.c...

[@GCraigmile]

I’ve been welding on and off for all most 40 years!! Your videos are great and I like how you show your welds and just come right out and say,, That is a bad weld I just made and say why!… I’m very old school kind of welder and real don’t say.. I made a bad weld.. Just fix it like it never happened.. Thanks for showing that it happened.

[@heyman5525]

On your base plate layout, if you don't have a tape measure, you can simply run a line from corner to corner creating an "X" on the plate. Then set your square tubing corners on the lines of the "X".

[@heyman5525]

That's also a quicker way to find center of a plate that you know is square or rectangular without measuring.

[@natenate2280]

good shit man that torch cut is better than pretty much everything i see at work (including my own cuts haha)

[@nicklebac6753]

I also love my minion squares and monster squares for fabing almost anything, works great making beams and columns and knowing your shit is square without fucking around

[@PopPopJoe]

Great job Anthony !

[@nickolassmaltz9546]

Lincoln Innershield NR-232 E71T-8 H16 Self Shielded Flux Core Carbon Steel Tubular Wire. We use this at work to weld columns as its faster than stick, however the tensile strength is greater with stick than the wire.

[@TheMannyduckslayer]

Finally, someone that knows what there talking about

[@GKRTANKLINESLLC.]

Good video budrow!!! I like that welders cold snack sitting on your welder @ 6:19…keeps the lines straight !!!

[@h3avym3tals69]

Need to run a drop from your 220 in your laundry room if its fairly close. Gas is too expensive right now! Luckily mine backs up to my garage so I just popped a hole through and made a cap in cad and 3d printed it.

[@justintasht1067]

Great video. great tips and advice all ways enjoy them and all ways some think new learned.big respect to you 👍👍

[@brianlorenz9632]

short circuit mig doesn’t like the heavy mill scale on thicker base plates. i would definitely grind that off before your layout. inspectors in california didn’t like us using mig for that anyways so we ran t8 flux core.

[@newage3397]

spot on, most of the work in florida can be done with t11 (no wind worries and vs feeder) i worked in california post northridge and ran t8 when it was spec'd. didn't like it as much as t11 but it has it's place.

[@anthonymarino4260]

Again always learning thanks

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

You bet!

[@erikmartinez7439]

I like to use white out my guy. It doesn’t fade as quick as sharpie, you should try it out. The white out pens on Amazon work perfect.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

good tip

[@outlawwelding7505]

You can also use the torch with just acetylene on low, put it on steel and that black soot goes away at 250°

[@newage3397]

Erik, buy yourself some soapstone. you can sharpen it with just about anything. they have it at harbor freight. it is universally used by guys doing metal fabrication, shop of field.

[@erikmartinez7439]

@@newage3397 I have used soapstone, it’s just easily erasable. I like white out but I think there both versatile tools in fab.

[@newage3397]

hi, i went to amazon to see if the world had changed since i last used a white marker. anything with a felt tip has not worked for me. the soapstone i buy by the gross , it's inexpensive, and i leave it all over so i never have to go looking. lol. thanks for the reply.

[@gamerboi111]

if you like doing flat just get some 90/10 and do spray transfer its slick, need 30+ cfh

[@Wirewelding]

Stick for the win!

[@user-kw4rn1ov9x]

Digging the sponsors 🙏🫡

[@jeremiahkastner5445]

for close-ups, have you tried pulling your camera further away from the object and zooming in the lens?

[@davemowers7827]

Great video man, keep going!!🇺🇸

[@bmlennox]

if extra strength is required I would bevel the outside edge on square tube for more surface area and then run two more passes...some triangle supports too if needed...

[@6pekXX]

I agree! 🤝

[@newage3397]

triangle supports? gussets? no need to bevel that tube. it's only 1/4 inch wall.

[@casualactivities1229]

1’ 1/4 angle works as well 🤙🥵

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

the column master himself! how are ya brother

[@johnnycortez46]

How has that trailblazer been holding up?? I been thinking about getting one for structural jobs

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Excellent, I would buy another

[@tonycleveland5043]

Hey Anthony what made you go into welding and how did you start??

[@hsaneener9292]

How do I make porosity a profit or benefit instead of a liability? Rhetorical question

[@nickmalveaux6131]

Hi Anthony I'm a pipe welder in LA. How would I go about finding side work? Just want to make an extra few dollars. I have a regular job so just trying to add a little to the pot.

[@hankclingingsmith8707]

Run an add on craigslist 5 bucks

[@SamFBM]

get some gasless flux wire for the mig and just run a wire wheel over it. the ol cheap strong but dirty wire

[@josephisaac3603]

Like too score the plate with cutting disc

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

That works great too!

[@VypaGaming]

A little naughty trick my boss taught me to hide porosity which u probably shouldnt be doing is to keep ur voltage the same but judt turn ur wire speed down quite alot and weld over the porosity or pinholes. That way it wont build up the weld anymore than it is itll instead just fill in them aero bubbles

[@BlitzvogelMobius]

I build test structures that scope wise are pretty damn big (up to 40ft high and/or 40 ft wide) and I've considered doing base plates welded directly to my 8 x 8 square tubes pre-erection.....but my boss is too cheap for plate. Also I'd hate to have to shim the damn thing if the base is already on, as opposed to tapconning the base first, then welding the column on and adjusting the leveling with weld tacks. Thank God I have a boom lift, telehandler, and vertical laser level at my disposal 😁

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Sounds like he pays more in your hourly than he would plate

[@BlitzvogelMobius]

@@MeltinMetalAnthony The way things go at our testing lab, the double anchored angle method makes alot of sense when working solo like I do 99% of the time. I tapcon the angles exactly where I need them first and they act as install guides and tack points for leveling before weld out. If within a reasonable distance, I’ll make em long enough to weld to my square tube sill. I exist a weird spot where dimensional accuracy and general strength is so critical yet my structures need to be expedient in erection and tear down once we are done with the testing. I’m worth a lot more than what I’m paid when it comes to my welding/fabrication duties (which isn’t 100%), hence Im working on starting a welding business myself. What are your recommendations on how to handle legalities, contracts and paperwork? I have the LLC setup but that is where I’m at in the business formation process and I want it properly setup before I take on my first contracts. Thanks!

[@newage3397]

i've never seen anyone use anything other than soapstone. (except on youtube) i have to take that back. erik uses the felt tipped steel markers and i have used them but i have also found that nothing with a felt tip lasts very long and if you happen to get the tip wet it's over. if they work for you then go for it. they are 7.00 dollars apiece and a stick of soapstone about a quarter.

[@danielbowen2523]

Loving the videos man. Question, since this is structural, is it coded? If it is did you decide the procedure or was it dictated by the plans?

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

No code on most welding jobs like this. I use my better judgement to determine the process

[@danielbowen2523]

@Meltin Metal Anthony that's what I was thinking but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. Thanks for taking the time to respond your videos are awesome. 👌

[@millsap40]

what helmet were your wearing?

[@918scott4]

Good stuff.

[@travisfoster8683]

What I would like to know is how you aquired that stair job? Whats the math thats involved? Lastly, did u consult with an engineer or architectect on the design of and layout of said stair? Thanks from a fellow metal sticker!!

[@newage3397]

don't use that stair as an example to mimic. structural detailer is going to have problems with it. did someone miss with the footing location? i have never run my stringers straight into the concrete that way.

[@freebirdwelds]

Nice job.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Thanks!

[@darrencrosby4520]

Cup angle makes a huge difference with wind .. I’ve welded lots of outdoor tanks .. keep the cup close put a hand near it or something.. anything to break the wind a big

[@michaelosmon]

Never seen anyone mount their generator on the back like that. It's usually a compressor over there. I appreciate you. Thank you for sharing your skills knowledge and experience

[@jackgreen5722]

Love it man

[@daywalker6847]

Thanks

[@grumpycricket]

Get some welding curtains to block the wind, and protect people from the arc rays. Like the pizza guy.

[@claytownsend5997]

Those 250X’s are no shit. I love mine. It will run a bead to the moon and back and not bat an eye.

[@not_youngjustice3717]

im going to school for welding and right now im doing TIG overhead and I hate it I prefer stick welding

[@alexanderknott3715]

Thanks for the video! What tool do you recommend for accurately cutting the tube to length in the field?

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

I just use a speed square and a grinder. I get the best results

[@timbettycarson1761]

Here is a trick I learned to protect my toes. Cut half way from one side and then cut from the other side and finish the cut in the middle. It will always fall straight down.

[@theroux22]

Name austin, just started my mobile fab buisness, and im having trouble getting work. Im handing out cards. Doing all the leg work i can. What am i missing?

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Check my new video! You gotta build that customer base!

[@dewayne2189]

I would have backed up in the garage more and got away from the wind mig welds looks better to me then stick . Everybody does things different tho

[@ForTeensFitness]

More Montana videos!

[@jeremyhanna3852]

Mark it in Sharpe scribe it then preheat till marker is gone cut it

[@josephisaac3603]

Try a 7024 next time jet rod for baseplate$

[@lfakerson7703]

Idk if you tried but maybe increasing the cf/m of gas might help with the wind?

[@ypaulbrown]

actually he meant cfh....and yes, 30 to 40 is what is recommended

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

ya you can, but I didn't want to chance cutting more weld out so trusty old 7018

[@stevelingg1963]

where can i get a fireball speed square

[@ilikeboats2009]

Fireball tools

[@darrencrosby4520]

15 cfm bad boy !!!

[@newage3397]

yes, you could pay a lot of money for that piece or you could cut a piece of angle and clamp it to the line you made with soapstone. yes, i've built hundreds of columns; a lot of times, after checking the column base for square cut, just make one line across and one line down and hold the plate so you can tack the corner. that (1/2) base plate weighs 20 pounds. 12 x 12 x 1. steel = 40lbs heavy? a little but done all the time by people that do it all the time.

[@ouroboros5378]

Wrong transfer modes to transfer. Short circuit get lack of fusion. Change gas protection, there you can get spray arc... etc etc etc

[@tnt421]

I work indoors running .035 sold wire with 90/10 and I'm running 30 to 35 cfh. Is that too much? I make leak proof welds on a rotary all dang day..

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

I always run 15-20 in doors with good results 🤷‍♂️

[@tnt421]

@@MeltinMetalAnthony I'll try turning it down a little and see what happens. Thanks for the response! Hope your new homestead is coming along.

[@whatsnextgarage]

Hey Rockstar, I have no tips for you! I am here for the entertainment and anything I can learn along the way!

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Deal!

[@papapsych2746]

Hahaha, I knew if you did that on the back of your truck at 15 cfm the air would probably blow it away. If I play with anything not shielded outside It needs to be a calm day and I need to waste 15 extra cfm.

[@eltorro30]

Give it away

[@CamMacMastermusic]

15 cfm is not enough gas for welding outside. 30 cfm would have worked just fine.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

I agree

[@CamMacMastermusic]

@@MeltinMetalAnthony You’re still the fukin man though MMA !! Love the videos !

[@forbaldo1]

pre heat 13 mm bs . get some Torch Cutting Roller Guide (wheels) and you just burnt his footpath and blue holes in it ps. and all those clamps go with the preheating .see Abcd Efg

[@colbymason8054]

If you have to preheat before you cut ,you probably shouldn't be using a torch.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

ive read some stupid things in my day, but that takes the cake

[@Omg-js2gi]

My Jewish brotha!

[@SouleymaneG]

While I understand the purpose and usefulness of using a straight edge to make cuts, I wouldn't ever suggest to anybody that they use them all the time because it diminishes your skill with a torch. There are lots of times when you'll need to make straight cuts and not be able to use one, or only be able to use 1 hand, and if you're not prepared for that you're screwed. We've got guys in the shop who will use a foot long straight edge to square cut a piece of 2 inch, 1/4 flat bar and they look very stupid doing it. Or trying to roll their straight edge along a pipe that needs to be cut to length. Same goes for welding, it's easier to put smoother cleaner welds with 2 hands but you're in trouble if you can't weld 1 handed, or with both hands. Always try to get practice outside of your comfort zone. Base plates are something that generally don't matter if they're not cut perfect so long as the holes work. Perfect opportunity to get some much needed torch practice.

[@heliarcweldandmachine]

run into your last start welding a base plate, welding 101 but no one does it, then just one cold start to tickle with the grinder, looks pro when done right. get the basics down first.

[@josephisaac3603]

Pizza time

[@JeffDrew-o8w]

Man to many marks too many clamps

[@mhxxd4]

If your columns aren't inches thick then you're poor😂

[@oscarborjon6112]

Overkill

[@KernCountyFirearms]

Too much undercut

[@BaranTheBad]

stop yelling. audio spiked in garage segments. could just be my crappy headphones though idk. Great informative vid though!!

[@randomschittz9461]

May be your headphones homie, I didn’t hear anything weird except when he was welding with the mig gun it spiked a little.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

but I always yell

[@americathefree3708]

I would of put a bevel on the 4x4. I like bevel and gap.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Waste of time

[@bradwright4293]

Thats gotta be the most time consuming way to attach baseplates just sqaure 2 lines off the plate centre for top and side of the box section clamp a piece of angle to the top line and drop it on done

[@StrapDLBStyle]

Exactly

[@ypaulbrown]

Yo Anthony, great to see ya.......hope the Montana work is coming along.....cheers, Paul

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

thanks Paul!

[@The_Coleman]

Fireball makes some great stuff. I bet their bigger squares would work better for the heavier steel. I rarely use the small minion square. Just not enough surface area.

[@williamthomas9463]

Anthony, you’re getting porosity because 15cfm is only half of the minimum that you should be running. In breezy conditions, I’ll crank mine up to 40cfm with hard wire and as high as 60 with dual-shield.

[@crj1249]

Why would you use more gas with Dual Shield :/?

[@capnbeanis7202]

Can’t you also get problems from having too much gas, I know there’s a lot of variables. But running dual shield out of my garage I only run 25-30! I’ll have to try cranking it up next time at the shop

[@maxscott3349]

It depends on how hot you're running and how long it takes the puddle to cool. When I did structural 50 to 60 or even higher was the norm. Of course, we did 1/16 dual shield and .052 metalcored. Short arc really isn't appropriate for structural anyway.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

it was 100% the wind

[@dadonpr]

I agree 15 cfm to low to be next to an open door .. 30 to 35 is more the proper range .. can turn down to save gas if doors are closed and no fans running hope this helps

[@calikalbocalikalbo6082]

HAHAHAHA....OH where do I Strat. First off 99% of real structural welders on a a building/bridge do not wear those silly pipe welder shirts that welders wear because they think it makes them cool.Also most structural is not welded with MIG or SMAW. 99.9% is done with FCAW in the field. In addition I bet he didn't get that rod out of a sealed container or an oven.

[@donsmith9081]

That old Miller is a great machine, just needs to be dialed in and of course more cfh. Also, it looks like contact tip is too short-it needs to be even with nozzle or back a hair. I have had to cut nozzles back more than once. Get a 15ft. gun-if it doesn't have one and play with the settings. Turn both heat and ws knobs to 3/4 then put 1 hand on ws while pulling trigger with other and start listening/adjusting speed till it sizzles.

[@Ritzcrkrz96]

Nice video as always man I build lots of columns at the shop I think I need some of those fire ball squares.

[@nicklebac6753]

Nothing pisses me off more than getting porosity with dual shield bc unlike regular hardwire it’s so hard to tell if you’re getting it until you get done with the weld and you’re like “fuckkkk🤬” 😂😂

[@MadRhetorik.]

Right on man just making that money 💰💰💰

[@Cod-Convict]

To bad you didn’t have any flux core wire

[@skycowboy_7391]

A section of angle iron works nice for the base plates if you don’t have a square

[@MRBoatwrights]

I use eagle arc 719 dual shield for welding structural steel. It is more expensive than stick welding but a lot faster and just as reliable. I have never been able to fully trust my bare wire mig welding in structural welding applications but dual shield is like stick welding if you lay in a good solid bead you can count on it.

[@daywalker6847]

Stick welding just so much fun ta do. And never gotta shield

[@bgs4896]

Just asking why not 5/32 7018

[@newage3397]

is it my imagination or is that first step about three inches lower than the second one. lol. that ain't going to fly anywhere but out in the middle of nowhere. i would delete the stair from the video and save the guy that is actually doing the work (i think MMA is only there to make a video) a potential problem. what's with the extra footings?

[@JonDingle]

When l do columns l take off all the mill scale in the weld area, Dychem and scribe the lines. Hold the plate flush with one hand and line up and tack it on. Then, weld out opposite sides and move on to the next column. Interesting to see how you do yours young man!

[@haywoodjablome186]

As I shake my head in shame for the less fortunate.he said it's windy out.in his garage.try welding 20 floors up 20 degrees.perfect weld no bitchin it's called real life.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

thats why I switched to stick pecker head 🤷‍♂️

[@txlegend1210]

Do you mess with any Tig on pipe? Love the vids keep ‘‘em up bro 👍

[@wcmwfab935]

Good evening everyone. Great vid brother. Vary informative.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Thanks 👍

[@jackofall2305]

Our boy is getting some sponsorship love finally, so proud 👏

[@edwardrodriguez430]

How you doing Anthony hope you having a good day great video

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Same to you

[@JantzenC.13]

Bro about time been waiting for him to post

[@dewayne2189]

That thick I would have atleast ran it at 25.6 volts and 300 wire speed

[@randomschittz9461]

Are you back in Florida? Looks like some Spanish moss in the background. Aaaaand, you need to post more homie! Also, I was 69th like.🤘🏼

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

hard to build a house and make vids! im still in mt this was a old video I just got around to edit it

[@andregagnon7044]

my favorite part is all the swearing! Fucking EH

[@boatboy7418]

I'd have to bevel that square tube per blue prints, you always measure off the holes of the base plate to center it.

[@newage3397]

no need to bevel anything here. what blue prints are you speaking of, i'll bet you there aren't any. no need to do it any differently than they are doing it. they will be setting anchors last unless you see some embeds that i don't.

[@boatboy7418]

I worked in a legit shop fitted/ welding on the line 1/16th metal core preheated base plates for 30 mins that weighed over 600 lbs to beams that weigh more then your vehicle. And installed/ certified to do so in the field to weld. Your thinking is invalid.

[@newage3397]

@@boatboy7418 sorry, you shop guys aren't that quick. they preheated that material due to the mass. did you shoot it to be sure it was at 250/300 F before welding. don't impress me with the metal core, i have run it. i have two VS feeders with rollers that go to .072 but most of what i do is with .062 fabshield 21b or .045 NR211MP. by the way, you do not certify to 'in the field' . you certify to an AWS spec. in your case it would be D1.1 3 or 4g 1 inch plate. aws does not care if you are in or out. good luck. PS. that test is 400 dollars and you have to recertify every six months; it cost 30 dollars, they just raised it, to do the recert. did you do all that at an accredited facility?

[@boatboy7418]

Thermo crayon for preheat. If you can run a beam line and angle machine etc. Cdl for getting steel to the job can run a crane truck don't come at me... I did it all even draft blueprints. Sorry forgot water jet and plasma table. And cryro manifolds of high pressure all xrayed in the past. All certs payed by employers and re certs. Well till you climb to the top and just manage.

[@newage3397]

@@boatboy7418 nice, i dropped the temp sticks for an IR gun. don't get hot but no one does it all. i wouldn't stop and look at foolish videos like this if i thought i knew it all. what amazes me is the number of people that think they do know it all and actually know very little.. sounds like your dug in deep so good luck.

[@lescoe]

Thumbs up for Fireball Tool. He's got a good KZbin channel too.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

💯

[@outlawwelding7505]

I'm about to be building 6 of these exactly how your doing. Customer also wants me to build footers to go into concrete also. Do you build those as well? And On your wire welding 15 cfm is alittle bit low IMO I typically run around 40+ unless I'm in a shop. give that a try next time and see how it does! Keep it up love you videos.

[@newage3397]

you do not build a footing. i guess you could but it makes more sense to build a form where your column will be and then do a pour. now, you have to know what the load is on that concrete determine the l x w x h. and if it needs any rebar or wire. remember F = P x A or factor through. if you do not know what that equation is then you need to rethink sizing footings and let someone else do it.

[@outlawwelding7505]

@@newage3397 the footing is really simple to build.. I do not know what formula or whatever your talking about, but I am going to make them and install them next week. It will be a form built and about 2 ft into ground. Thanks for your input

[@newage3397]

@@outlawwelding7505 thanks for proving my point. Why two feet? You have no idea why. Doesn't surprise me because anyone that follows this guy is either green or bored. . Have you calculated the volume of concrete you'll need into number of bags to buy. I doubt it. Let's see if it's 2x2x2 that's 8 cubic feet. Cured concrete ways 150 lbs per cu ft or app 1200 pounds. Allow 10 pct for shrinkage. Oh, any rebar or wire going in there? Just a thought. Good luck with the 'build'. Do yourself a favor and watch these videos with a degree of skepticism. You may be seeing an expert here but I am not and neither are several others. Go to the previous video of this job and make note of the remark by the lead guy. "Anthony likes to make videos". That is what is known as a tell.

[@outlawwelding7505]

I've been running a successful welding business 5 years and welding much longer. My customer has a pallet of concrete so I have no reason to calculate all that shit. There is 2 baseplates with 2 ft of allthread between them (welded) and 2 ft x 1.5 inch schedule 40 pipe welded to both baseplates. That will be in the concrete with all thread stubbed out and top baseplate exposed. I am not green or bored and I warranty all of my work and am very confident that is strong enough to hold a 9 ft column. I am using 8 column for an 9 ft tall lean to that is 40 ft in length and 8 ft from house. Not sure why your trying to challenge me.. I just asked a question to see what he uses to mount his columns to.

[@newage3397]

@@outlawwelding7505 'all that shit' lol. You warranty your work. How much liability you carrying? Thanks for that reply there are probably a couple of posters on here that will enjoy it.

[@soundman6645]

Knowing you are not the best at something is the beginning of wisdom. In business knowing somebody is better at something than you, AND employing them, now that is smart. Too many bosses have to think they are better and know better than everybody else, at everything .... Yeh I've worked for some of these guys, they never are. Pride comes before the fall. I've seen some of these smart @R$#S look realy foolish .... and people always tell the stories.

[@newage3397]

probably the installer is a field only guy and has no shop space. this entire job should/could have been done in the shop, including the rails. it should have been detailed, stamped, and permitted; then installed and inspected. no way that's happening here. youtube watchers beware.

[@brianpatrick8441]

While cutting plate you should have burned out a 4 inch square for post to pass thru for condensation reasons. Also i nevet saw you check for square

[@angeloc700]

Way to give your buddy credit for being the better welder. With that attitude, you'll quickly be the better welder.