MIG weld black (gas) pipe ?

[mkepke]

Here's an idle question: is it easy to MIG (actually flux-core wire-weld) common black pipe ? I assumed black-pipe was mild steel, but maybe its really more cast-iron-like ?

No, I don't plan on using this for gas-piping..I'm planning to make a large cross-dowel aka barrel nut by tack-welding a hex-nut into a section of black pipe. The cross-dowel will be used to repair my workbench - hence the post in this forum.

Related question: I was planning to run a threaded rod through the pipe and nut to keep everything in alignment while tacking. Will aluminum foil work to protect the threads from the welding slag ?

Thanks,
-Mark

 

[Ben325e]

I would clean up the black as much as I could to prevent splattering, but welding black pipe is no big issue other than that. Aluminum foil should protect the threads just fine. Vaseline would work, too.

Some people use a special type of mig tip protecting jelly, but from what I've seen online, vaseline works just as good to keep your tips clean.

 

[scsmith42]

Mark, I weld black pipe all the time, and it does just fine. Follow Ben's tips and your project should turn out well.

Scott

 

[mkepke]

Perfect, thanks guys.

-Mark