Tim- I've done a fair amount of code TIG welding on piping systems, mainly in power plants. The main concern in welding any circular section is controlling the HAZ- heat affected zone. The first rule in TIG welding is (1) Know your parent metal. You want to build up, and then later, file back the built up area to match the circumference of that affect barrel on your Bockflinten--shame that someone made that mistake years ago, but as another member suggested, if it hasn't failed over time (so far) perhaps staying with light loads might be the best way to go.. RWTF
