Orbital welding is an automated process that can save you time and money, but you need the right tools to support your equipment properly. That’s why we’ve created a list of 8 orbital welding supplies you should have in your shop or at your job site. From sanitary welding to pipeline welding, these supplies will put you in the right position to create the perfect weld.
#1 Prepping/Deburring tools
In fusion welding, alignment is key. To create the perfect alignment, you need a tube squaring tool or deburring tool designed for stainless steel tubing. These tools can help remove burrs and other imperfections, making it easy to line up tube ends.
For pipe welding, you need to create a bevel for filler wire. Our lines of ESCO Tool and Mathey Dearman pipe beveling machines have the heavy-duty tools you need to cut and align the toughest pipe.
#2 Cleaning Supplies (Gloves & Isopropyl Alcohol)
In critical welds, cleaning is a priority after the prep. Grab a pair of cleaning gloves and wipe down your tube or pipe with isopropyl alcohol or our specialty orbital welding sanitary wipes.
#3 Inert Gas & Dual Regulator
You can’t perform a GTAW weld without inert shielding gas, otherwise known as purging gas. Shielding gas is used to protect the metal and purge out oxygen (which causes oxidation on the backside of the weld). The proper shielding gas blend makes a difference in your welding operation, so speak to an MIT representative about what they suggest for your specific application.
Along with your tanks of gas, you’ll need a dual regulator. This helps regulate a continuous flow and adjusts the pressure into your orbital welding machine.
#4 Purge Plugs
To help with the oxygen purging process, you’ll need welding purge plugs. Purge plugs create a controlled and consistent flow of shielding gas. MIT has welding purge plugs in a variety of tube and pipe sizes. Options include:
#5 Oxygen Analyzer
An oxygen analyzer for tig welding can be used to monitor trace oxygen levels while purging. O2 analyzers are small, portable units that are easy to operate and help ensure the integrity of your weld. Oxygen analyzer accuracy is measured in parts per million (PPM) oxygen. A lower PPM level should be considered when creating critical welds, such as those in sanitary welding.
#6 Ceriated Tungsten Electrodes
Your weld head needs the appropriate 2% ceriated tungsten in both orbital pipe welding and orbital tube welding. MIT tungsten is pre-ground and ANSI/AWS A5.12 A5 12 compliant. Our in-house production team can create custom lengths and diameters for your specialty application.
#7 Weld Head Bench Mount
Rest your weld heads in a weld head bench mount bracket while not in use or while conducting welds at your bench. Bench mount brackets can help alleviate unnecessary damage from simple mistakes such as dropping your weld head.
#8 Printer Paper
Both Arc Machines Inc. and Magnatech orbital welding systems print weld schedule receipts after each weld. Refill printer paper rolls are a consumable product you may overlook until you’re completely out. Order a couple of extra rolls to have on hand as you start a busy job.
As you start to cross items off this orbital welding supplies checklist, please reach out to MIT with any questions. We stock orbital welding consumables and are happy to offer solutions and suggestions in regard to your orbital welding and cutting equipment.
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