Welding Jig Tips and Information!

A welding jig is used to weld objects into the desired shape so that each product can be made the same dimensions and shape as others of the same design. This type of welding accessory can be quite simple and manually operated or very complex and fully powered. The jig design is driven by the exact size and shape of material being welded and the desired shape.

For very simple welding tasks, a C-clamp may be the the only welding jig needed. Multiple clamps are frequently used as jigs for creating sheet or plate joints. A complex roller bed or electric rotating jig may be required for heavy, complicated tasks such as welding pressure vessels, cylinder shapes and other big jobs. There are jigs for welding of every size, shape and complexity in between these two types of welding jigs.

Jigs for welding are used by welders in all locations. Whether you are welding in your garage, in a fabrication shop, or on a job site, a good fixture can make all the difference in the weld produced and product accuracy.

Choosing the right tool for the job is always important and it is not when selecting the proper welding fixtures. You may need a jig with positions so that welds can be brought to a position that provides easy access to the area being joined. Ideally, you want to choose a fixture that is easy and fast to position and insert the material for welding. It should allow you to properly align the material with relative ease.

When choosing powered jibs, select air or electric for revolving the material and either air or hydraulic power rams for tilting the jig assembly. Select the simplest fixture that will meet your needs for the task at hand. Large jigs can be mounted on wheels for easy movement but wheels should have sturdy brakes to prevent unwanted movement. Moving parts should be protected from splatter from welding. It's also important to be able to easily remove the completed article once the welding in the jig fixture is completed and cooled.

Ensure that the welding jig fixture includes grounding because this can affect the weld quality, speed, and action. The ground should made sound contact with the material being joined by choosing copper, sliding shoes, or graphite brushes as the medium. The connection point should be as far from the arc as possible and it may be split in order to avoid arc blow. Steel, except that which is being joined by the weld, must be kept a minimum of 25 millimeters from the arc when positioned in the fixture. Fixtures made of low carbon steel also helps prevent arc blow. Normalize any large masses of steel. Whenever you use a horn jig fixture, be sure the welding is toward the closed end of the horn.

For simple welding jigs, you can locate designs online or in books which you can make yourself. For bigger jigs, you'll want to purchase a quality jig that meets the requirements of your specific welding application.