I have a 3” boat trailer tongue. I want to extend it 32”. I suppose I will butt weld the new 32” length of 3” tube onto end of existing 3” tongue tube. Then I want to slip a 3-1/2” sleeve over that welded and ground joint and I will weld the seam between 3-1/2” and 3” on either end. To add more strength, I was thinking about drilling several 1/2” holes in the 3-1/2” sleeve and then plug welding to the 3” tongue. I only think I need to do these plugs on the top so just flat welding. I don’t think I need to do these on sides (vertical welding) or underneath (overhead welding). Anywhere I am welding to the existing galvanized steel tongue I will use muriatic and clean off the zinc before welding. I am planning to use flux core mig machine. I think I will make a pass all around the plug diameter and chip off slag and then add more filler until I fill the hole. What is your opinion of this? You think flux core mig is ok process? Do you think starting and stoping to remove slag is right process or should I just fill and desalt after? 16:32 You think flat welding plugs up top is enough? You think 1/2” plug holes is big enough? (Tube is 3/16” wall). Am I missing something I should be doing? Trailer is for a 5,000 pound Boston Whaler boat. So not a big load but a precious one to me. Thanks for any and all advice from anyone reading this June of 2023.
Great Video following AWS Standards. Ideal welding for sheet stock or light gage plate as a useful detail for metal manual construction in welding. "I-Car" welding has a good application for plug welding. T J (Tom) Vanderloop, Author Instructor & Community Leader
