Welding Tips and Tricks

When welding a T joint should I bevel the edge of the intersecting piece to get the strongest weld strength? I am using 3/4 inch thick and sometimes 1 inch bracing mild steel to thick wall square tube. I would think root pass in a pocket created by beveling edge of the one piece would lend itself to more strength than just butting up the two and create a fillet weld. Am I correct? Thanks

You are correct. Beveling both sides to leave a land is often required when welding fairly thick material. If not required, it certainly makes penetration a lot easier.

If you welded a short practice piece without a bevel, and one with, then cut/etch to examine the penetration, you’d see clearly the differences.

Thanks, I kind of felt the same way.