Manual tube welding device

A system for welding a workpiece, the system comprising:

• a welding torch configured to weld the workpiece, the welding torch comprising a head and a tip;
• and
• a fixture for welding, the fixture comprising:
• a base configured to removably couple the fixture to a workpiece;
• a track configured to surround the workpiece, the track including:
• a pad extending from the base, the pad defining a first surface;
• and
• a flange extending perpendicular from the pad, the flange defining a second surface, the second surface perpendicular to the first surface;
• and
• a cart configured to contact the track such that the track guides the cart around the workpiece, the cart comprising:
• a frame;
• a first bearing system coupled to the frame and configured to contact the first surface;
• a second bearing system coupled to the frame and configured to contact the second surface;
• and
• a welding torch receptacle attached to the frame, the welding torch receptacle configured to receive a head of a welding torch;
• wherein the cart is configured to maintain a tip of the welding torch at a set distance away from the workpiece while the cart moves around the workpiece.

A method of welding a first workpiece to a second workpiece using a fixture comprising a base configured to removably couple the fixture to a workpiece, a track configured to surround the first workpiece, the track including a pad extending from the base, the pad defining a first surface and a flange extending perpendicular form the pad, the flange defining a second surface, the second surface perpendicular to the first surface, and a cart configured to contact the track such that the track guides the cart around the workpiece, the cart comprising a frame, a first bearing system coupled to the frame and configured to contact the first surface, a second bearing system coupled to the frame and configured to contact the second surface, and a welding torch receptacle attached to the frame and configured to receive a head of a welding torch, the method comprising:

• positioning the fixture around the first workpiece;
• latching a latch that removably attaches a first piece and a second piece of the track to surround the first workpiece such that a one or more size adjusters contact the first workpiece, the first bearing system contacting the first surface and the second bearing system contacting the second surface;
• and
• welding the first workpiece to the second workpiece by moving the cart around the track while activating the welding torch.