Tackwright Welding Calculator

What it does

Tackwright is a welding calculator for welders, fabricators, welding inspectors, estimators and students. It works like a hardware calculator: an oxide-red chassis, real keys and a clear LCD, with each answer labelled so you know what you are reading.

Worked examples

• Fillet weight. 1/4 in fillet, 10 ft, steel -> weld metal weight 1.06 lb.
• Heat input. 25 V, 200 A, 10 in/min -> heat input 30 kJ/in.
• Groove. 1/2 in plate single V, 1/8 in root gap -> V area 0.2068 sq in.
• Filler. 1/4 in fillet, 10 ft, SMAW at 60 % -> filler to buy 1.77 lb.
• Carbon equivalent. C 0.2, Mn 1, Cr+Mo+V 0.3, Ni+Cu 0.3 -> CE (IIW) 0.45.
• Metric heat input. 25 V, 200 A, 300 mm/min -> heat input 1 kJ/mm.

How it's calculated

Every trade key and the formula behind it, as shown in the app's key guide. A second legend is the shifted function.

Fillet ReinfFillet weld / Reinforcement or convexity

Stores the typed fillet leg size, or steps through it, the cross-section leg² ÷ 2 (plus 2/3 × face × convexity), the throat 0.707 × leg and the face width. Shifted stores the convexity or groove reinforcement height.

Groove StyleGroove weld / Groove style

Stores the typed plate thickness, or steps through it, the groove cross-section (single V: t² × tan(α/2) + gap × t), face width, angle and root gap. Shifted steps V, bevel, double V, double bevel and square; a typed angle sets the groove angle, a typed length the root gap.

Len MatWeld length / Weld metal

Stores the typed total weld length, or recalls it. Shifted steps through steel, stainless and aluminium for the weld metal density.

Wt AreaWeld metal weight / Weld cross-section area

Weld metal weight = area × length × density for the last fillet, groove or area typed; press again for weight per foot or metre, volume and area. A typed length is taken as the weld length. Shifted stores a typed cross-section area, or shows the area.

Filler ProcFiller metal required / Welding process

Filler metal to buy = weld metal ÷ deposition efficiency; press again for per foot or metre and the efficiency. Shifted steps SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW and SAW (typical efficiencies, low end); a typed percent sets your own efficiency.

Volt AmpArc voltage / Welding current

Stores the typed arc voltage; shifted stores the current.

Travel DepRTravel speed / Deposition rate

Stores the typed travel speed in inches or millimetres per minute. Shifted stores the deposition rate in pounds or kilograms per arc hour.

Heat kHeat input / Thermal efficiency factor

Heat input = V × A × 60 ÷ (1000 × travel speed) in kJ/in or kJ/mm; press again for the other unit and Q = k × arc energy. A typed heat input gives the travel speed for it. Shifted sets k, by default the process value from ISO/TR 17671-1.

Time OpFArc time / Operating factor

Arc time = weld metal ÷ deposition rate, or length ÷ travel speed; press again for the other and the welder time at the operating factor. A typed length is taken as the weld length. Shifted stores the operating factor in percent.

CE NewCarbon equivalent / New steel

Type C, Mn, Cr+Mo+V and Ni+Cu in percent, pressing CE after each; shows CE = C + Mn/6 + (Cr+Mo+V)/5 + (Ni+Cu)/15 (IIW). Higher CE means more hardening risk: set preheat per the governing code. Shifted starts a new steel.

For estimating and planning. Efficiencies and densities are typical values: check the filler maker's data. Verify every result against the welding procedure specification and the applicable code; it does not replace a qualified procedure or preheat requirement. The developer accepts no liability for loss or damage arising from use.