two welding and fabrication questions

1. Can you weld a stainless steel bracket to steel DOM tubing?

2. I want to cut a hole in a bracket to slide over DOM tubing, how much extra space do I leave so it fits well, but not too tight nor too loose?

 

Yes with 309 filler rod.
.030 over size

 

Thank you.

 

And one more: Is it ever OK to weld downhill on a frame? I used to make mucho pipe handrails & got good at smooth, fast & hot downhill welds, but I know its a no -no in structural work. What about frames? Steel seems to 1/8 or less in thickness....

 

Can you give us a little more info as to the bracket you want to slip over DOM tubing? .030 might be pretty loose. ***uming the DOM tubing is consistent diameter, just a few thousandths should be enough clearance to allow a bracket to slip over the tubing.

 

Hot and down is the best way for strong welds. In HS VICA I beat the snot out of my compe***ion in destructive testing. Hot, down and fast.

 

Down hill is fine on thin stuff … like a frame
But if you cant do a decent lookin up hill you need to do some adjusting and practicing...you never know when you'll need it.