How to Tack Weld

If you need to weld two different pieces of metal together at a 90-degree angle, then you may have a problem holding them. Tack welding the two metal pieces is the answer to the problem. When you use tack welding on metal pieces, you create a welded stand to maintain the proper angle to weld.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Two pieces of metal
• Clamps
• MIG welder
• T square

1. Line up the two pieces of metal that you need to connect.

2. Clamp them in place if at all possible. If you can't, you need to prebead the area.

3. Create two tacks of metal with the MIG welder. You only need a couple of drops. This is just to hold the T joint at first.

4. Square the joint with a T square. If it's out of line, simply tap it in line lightly with a hammer. There's a lot of flexibility in the tack weld.

5. Complete a bead of weld on the other side once the tack weld on the metal is lined up. You have completed half of the weld and the two pieces should be in a perfect T or whatever angle you chose, since the tack prevents the angle from moving or warping when it cools and shrinks.

6. Start a complete line of weld on the other side of the metal. You weld over the tack weld on the metal and finish the entire line. The tack kept the metal in the correct position, but isn't strong enough for the final weld. This completes the weld on the two pieces. The tack weld is just to hold the metal in place and then is covered by a complete weld line.