A friend wanted me to make him a hitch he could bolt to the box of his tractor so he could move his horse trailer with it........ok!

I had some 1/2 inch plate hanging around from a previous project, so I used it.....overkill, but free.

A friend of mine lent me his lp/oxy torch kit..... I have about 10 minutes total of lp/oxy torch practice, but I gotitdun. Fun to use......now I need one.....

I got a bit carried away with some of the welds, but oh well.......

All of it was 7018 AC rod, DC EP about 110 amps. I bought some 7018 rod that was supposed to be for DC but it was a ***** to work with so I went back to the AC stuff.

That should deffinitly hold it.

I definetly think you overkilled the welding on the gussets.

I think one would have been plenty, once you start going over it multiple times you start heating up the surrounding metal actually making it weaker(brittle) and prone to breaking...

But seeing how you used pretty thick metal I think you should be fine.

One weld up the side of the gusset, no need for a weld on the top(short side) and if you really want to make it stronger, after you get done welding the gusset where it meets the main bolt down plate, keep welding and trail off at a 45* angle and go another 1/2" to an inch.

Ill keep that move in mind next time I end up doing something like this....

I kept making passes because I couldnt get them to look decent.....Probably because I wasnt able to get the metal clean back in the corners.....I should have also laid a root pass with some 6013....the metal was a bit dirty.

Tx for the tips!

Another thing you may want to do when welding two pieces like that, is to bevel the gusset piece on both sides so that you get good penetration, and it also assures that your metal is clean too.....

I did bevel the gussets a bit but maybe not enough. I was a little bit afraid of burnthrough.....

How much are you supposed to bevel? Half the width?

Now ya need a bead blaster?

Another thing you may want to do when welding two pieces like that, is to bevel the gusset piece on both sides so that you get good penetration, and it also assures that your metal is clean too.....

You'll have to explain penetration to Matt, Skipp...I don't think he knows what that is...):h

You'll have to explain penetration to Matt, Skipp...I don't think he knows what that is...):h

Well at least all of my knowledge of penetration does not require an internet connection........):h

Now ya need a bead blaster?
Always another tool..........;)

Burn through 1/2" plate.....? You are talking big time amperage for an inside corner weld. IIRC from my high school shop days 7018 can be kinda "sticky" if the metal is not real clean. 6013 was real forgiving. Gotta love MIG welders! Maybe we should start a "Home shop creation" thread, I have a few gems.):h

No, I wasnt worried about burning through the 1/2 inch, but I was worried about burning through the ends of the gussets (3/8 in). I dont think there was much cause for worry though.

I was definetly glad for the mig when I spot welded those gussets......hard to hold in place.