Fabrication Calculators & Welding Charts
Welcome to the Triple A Welds Engineering Toolkit. A free collection of resources designed for professional exhaust builders and metal fabricators. From calculating pie cuts for manifolds to finding the correct TIG settings for stainless steel, our tools help you build with precision.
🛠️ Fabrication & Prep
📐 Pie Cut Calculator
Building a custom manifold or downpipe? Calculate the exact saw cut angle needed for a “Lobster Back” bend. Enter your total bend angle and segment count to get the perfect cut.
⚙️ Drill Speed (RPM)
Stop burning drill bits. Stainless steel work-hardens instantly if drilled too fast. Use this chart to find the safe RPM for Cobalt and HSS bits in steel or aluminium.
⚖️ Metal Weight Calc
Shipping a project or checking safe lifting limits? Estimate the total weight of steel, stainless, or aluminium sheet/plate before you order materials.
⚡ Welding Parameters
⚡ TIG Quick Settings
Don’t guess your machine settings. Get recommended Amperage, Tungsten size, and Cup size for butt welding thin-wall tubing and sheet.
⏱️ Back Purge Calc
Prevent “sugaring” (oxidation) inside your welds. Calculate the exact Argon purge time based on your pipe diameter and length (using 6x volume exchange).
🔥 Rod Selector
Joining dissimilar metals? Using the wrong rod causes cracking. Find the correct filler wire for Stainless to Mild Steel, Aluminium, and more.
⚖️ Job Planning
⛽ Gas Bottle Life
Running low on Argon? Calculate your remaining Arc-On time based on bottle pressure and flow rate so you don’t run out mid-weld.
🔄 Arc / Bend Length
Plan your material cuts. Calculate exactly how much straight tube is consumed to form a specific bend radius and angle.
⚖️ Filler Rod Estimator
Quoting a job? Estimate the weight (kg) of TIG filler rod needed based on the total length of your welds.
📐 Layout & Reference
🏗️ Frame Squaring
Building a gate or bench? Use the 3-4-5 rule logic. Enter Width and Height, then check your Diagonal measurement to ensure it’s perfectly square.
🔘 Flange Spacer
Marking out a custom flange? Find the chord length (straight-line distance) between bolt hole centers on any circle size (PCD).
📐 Inch to MM
Convert Imperial (Inches) to Metric (Millimeters) instantly. A must-have for checking exhaust tube diameters and thread sizes.
📉 Gauge Lookup
Convert SWG (Standard Wire Gauge) to actual thickness in mm. Essential for ordering sheet metal.
⭕ V-Band Check
Don’t order the wrong clamp. V-Bands are named by the Tube Size, but the flat flange face measures larger. Check here before buying.
🔩 Tap & Drill Chart
Find the correct drill bit size for ISO Metric Coarse threads (M3 to M12).
🎨 Tungsten Colour Chart
Identify TIG electrodes by colour. Know the difference between Thoriated (Red), Lanthanated (Gold), and Zirconiated (White).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate pie cuts for an exhaust bend?
To calculate pie cuts, divide your total bend angle (e.g., 90°) by the number of segments multiplied by 2. Our Pie Cut Calculator above does this instantly to give you the exact saw angle.
What drill speed should I use for stainless steel?
Stainless steel requires a slow RPM and high pressure to prevent work-hardening. For a 10mm bit, you should run at approximately 480 RPM using our Drill Speed Calculator.
Which TIG rod should I use for Stainless to Mild Steel?
When welding dissimilar metals like 304 Stainless to Mild Steel, you must use a 309L Filler Rod. Using standard 308L or mild steel wire will result in cracking.
How do I measure a V-Band clamp size?
V-Band clamps are sized by the Tube OD they are welded to, not the outer flange diameter. For example, a 3.0″ V-Band kit fits 3-inch tube but the flange face measures ~95mm.