I want to bend about 1 metre of a 4 metre Scaffold Tube to an angle of about 80 degrees and then weld a strengthening piece across the angle. I have an arc welder. Can I use ordinary rods or do I need special ones?. What is the best way to bend them. Hire a bender (hydraulic?) Any tips gratefully received
Is that 80deg under or over? Rather than hire a bender is it an option to cut a mitre on it and weld up the joint, linished off if it needs to look good. As for the welding, your bog standard rod will be fine. Probably a 2.5mm?
If it's galvanised you're in tricky territory, health&safety wise. If someone were to do it ( ) they'd need to at least grind off all the plating local to the weld area, the zinc fumes are pretty unhealthy!
Yes, i should have pointed that out. I suppose its obvious to some and not others. Dont want metal fume fever. A simple disposable fume mask will be fine. http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=26370&ts=97883
Thanks for the replies. Its to go on a boat trailer to hold the boat steady when its being recovered. It bolts on to the trailer with an 'arm' going up each side of the boat. I saw one a few weeks ago and the tubing was bent and it seemed a realy good job. The bending of it seemed to give it more stength or 'spring' to it - may have been my imagination of course. Re. the welding, a friend of mine says he thinks you need special rods because its high-tensile steel?
I do arc welding myself and you only need special electrodes (rods) when welding Stainless Steel, in your case standard electrodes will do the job.
As far as i am aware, standard 48.3x4 scaffold tube is 'normal' steel. Some tower systems are however a higher grade steel. Just go for a general purpose mild steel rod.
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=12224&ts=24535# or from local supplier 3.2 manual arc electrode E6013 3mm fillet weld that is 3mm on each piece of tube and about 100 amps on welding plant