joining tubing/pipe

[skins]

parallel bars.JPG

I have always struggled when trying to get a neat join welding pipe together. Without an expensive notching tool my fitup was by eye and hit and miss grinding which caused gaps that led to ugly welds. I stumbled across a sight called "MetalGeek coping calculator". You enter pipe diam, wall thickness, angle of join and any offset, print, cut out profile and tape it to pipe. I use heatproof red mark out pencil coz my eyes can see it better and sharpies disappear with heat. Lots of useful tips on that page as well.
Very happy with all the joins on this project.
The pipe is 1 1/2" to 1 1/4" sched 10 304 S/S.
Cheers Skins

[Jake]

Good piece of info, skins. I'm sure there are plenty of people like you and I that have that problem.

Here is the link to "MetalGeek coping calculator" http://www.metalgeek.com/static/cope.pcgi

I found this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJVwNwxCfLA to help visualize how it works.

[o c t o r]

W 0 W guys . . . that is so COOL.

An awesome tool in the tool box . . . so to speak.
A Back yard Fabricators Dream Tool

[johntheweld]

Greeting my way of joining two pipes at any angle is to drill a hole the size of the tube and push the tube to be welded in check the angle and tack accordingly this has the advantage if you are welding from both sides like a ladder. Saves on profiling and burning through because of bad fit.
Regards johntheweld

[Jake]

Your way is the better way, John. The template method would come in handy for those times that it can't be done your way, due to poor planning or the need to add something afterwards.

Also guys, some means of drilling or cutting into tubing is needed. Harbor Freight has a tubing notcher for less than $50 US. Not the best by any means, but if you only need one for occasion use it may do.