How to Measure the Effective Throat of a Weld

Fllet welding is an economical and simple way of joining two perpendicular pieces of metal together, such as two pieces of metal forming a corner of a box. After welding, if you wish to measure the dimensions of your weld, you will need a few different kinds of gauges. To measure the throat of your weld alone, you will only need a fillet weld gauge.

Things You'll Need

• Fillet weld gauge

Instructions

1. Note whether the throat of the weld, which is the diameter of the joint between the two pieces of metal, is concave or convex. In a concave weld, the middle of the weld will be the lowest point of the weld, and in a convex weld, the middle of the weld will be the highest point.

2. Place the appropriate side of your fillet weld gauge --- either the concave or convex side --- against the throat of your weld,

3. Adjust the fillet weld gauge until the width of the gauge matches the width of your weld throat.

4. Read the number on your fillet weld gauge. This is equal to the throat of your weld.

References

• The ABC's of ARC Welding: Fillet Weld Legs Determine Size and Throat of Fillet Welds
• Welding Data: Fillet Weld Gauge