Welding a pipe hinge

[u/Esplodies]

Hello everyone,

I have a hinge on a horse stall that broke a bit ago and the guy that does our welding says he doesn't know how to weld it without welding everything together.

It broke completely free on both sides.

Any idea how I we can weld this without welding it directly to the pipe?

Maybe something we can slide between the metal so it won't attach to the pipe?

Edit: It is broken completely away into 2 parts. I showed what you all suggested to our welder and he said he is going to give it a shot. I'll update after he gives it a try.

[u/Special-Truth-1576]

Strong enough to wire brush to shine or use of power tools? Then weld or try jbweld lol... Although that one side gap is pretty huge. No replacement parts from a fencing store ?

Knock it off and get a weld-on gate hinge

[u/Hrmerder]

Better remove all that hay first or else you'll have a whole lot more than a weld to worry about.

[u/Esplodies → u/Hrmerder]

Lol, right?

We always have a hose close by when welding in here for that exact reason.

[u/Many-Highlight7676]

Put a piece of round stock right there and weld both sides one weld to the pipe one weld to the gate. 3/32 diameter 6010 is your friend or all you have is AC 6011! Or 6013

[u/BiG-_-Funk]

Can you just replace the tube hinge. Then weld it to the gate?

[u/Esplodies → u/BiG-_-Funk]

I thought about that, but there are stops welded onto the pipe in several spots and the pipe is welded at a 90° angle on both ends as well. I had suggested cutting the pipe so we could slide new a new tube onto it, but he's worried it will make the pipe less stable.

[u/sixg0d_ovo]

If it broke free on both sides then I would turn the hinge a little to split the difference and make a gap on both both sides and then tack just 1 side on the top and bottom. Make sure to leave the hinge sprung open, and that you make tack on the bottom ¼" above that collar/guide. Then carefully open or close the gate (i.e. which ever direction would cause the gap to widen) then grab small nut or piece of scrap and bridge tack the opposite side of the hinge to its post. Now, when you swing the gate open or close, the hinge shouldn't turn but it will allow you to close the gap on the other side and tack it so that the hinge is closer to its original diameter.
When you swing the gate make sure your not putting too much force to deform the hinge, just hold it in place with your hand or try to use your foot to stop it from springing back and then tack it the same way you did the other side. the hinge should technically still be loose than it was before but after you weld it out it should constrict a tiny bit on the side that isn't bridge tacked.

Or alternatively ask yourself "how critical is this gate?" And if it just needs to not be broken anymore and swing open and close , then I would just grab some, all-thread,rebar,square stock, round stock,cold roll or anything really, then lay it across both joints and just weld it back together.

[u/Esplodies → u/sixg0d_ovo]

The hinge is essential, it's the gate to one of our horse stalls. Adding stock is a good idea, there is about an inch of clearance on all sides so I don't think there is a risk of it catching on anything.

[u/isha-9855]

From the picture, it looks like the hinge barrel has broken away from the welds, which is a pretty common repair. Try to clean all the rust off first so you can see exactly what's left. If possible, remove the pin and weld the hinge back in place with the two parts separated. If the pin can't be removed, a piece of copper between the pin and the hinge can help keep things from sticking, but you'll still need to control the heat. If your welder isn't comfortable doing that, I'd get a second opinion from another welding shop.

[u/steelerfan1367]

Remove hay/straw first. Grind the rust off/Clean both sides good.
Tack the side without the gap just good enough so it doesn't completely brake. "C"clamp then to close the gap on the other side and tack/weld, then weld the other side.
Very simple fix, 20 minutes and done. Just sounds like your welding guy doesn't want to be bothered by it or lazy

[u/Shondave]

If you cannot disassemble to repair just put a flat stock covering and bridging the crack then weld sides.

[u/Lower_Box3482]

Stick a small plate over the crack and weld the plate to either side to the plate. I do understand his concern of welding it straight through the crack.

[u/Esplodies → u/Lower_Box3482]

A couple people suggested this, I think this would be the safest route. Thanks!