What type of bevel should I have on pieces to be welded orbitally?
That depends on the wall thickness of the tube or pipe to be welded. For wall thickness of .154 and under a square butt joint can be used with the fusion process. For wall thicknesses above .154, filler metal should be added and a J-bevel or a standard bevel with EB rings should be used. The J-bevel offers better fit-up (fit-up is crucial for orbital welding) than a traditional 37.5 or 45 degree bevel. Generally, the lands on the J bevel should be .060″ thick and .060″ long. An EB ring is a consumable insert that is tacked to each of the beveled ends and is consumed in the root pass.
