--- title: "How-To Weld Elbow Joints Easily: The Welding Positioner Elbow Jig" description: Welding elbows has traditionally been a cumbersome, difficult process. LJ responded by engineering the first elbow jig for pipe welding positioners. Click here to learn more: image: https://www.ljwelding.com/hubfs/elbow.jpg --- - [Catalogue](https://www.ljwelding.com/catalogue) - [About](https://www.ljwelding.com/about-us/) - [Case Studies](https://www.ljwelding.com/blog) - [Contact](https://www.ljwelding.com/contact-us-today) - [+1 (780) 466-6658 ](tel:+1(780)466-6658) [![ljwelding](https://www.ljwelding.com/hubfs/logo-1-min.png)](https://www.ljwelding.com/) ** [![](https://www.ljwelding.com/hubfs/youtube.png "Follow us on YouTube")](https://www.youtube.com/c/ljweldingautomation?sub_confirmation=1) [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ljwelding.com%2Fblog%2Felbow-jigs%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ljwelding.com%2Fblog%2Felbow-jigs%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ljwelding.com%2Fblog%2Felbow-jigs%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=How-To%20Weld%20Elbow%20Joints%20Easily%3A%20The%20Welding%20Positioner%20Elbow%20Jig) [![](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png "Share with Friends")](mailto:?subject=How-To%20Weld%20Elbow%20Joints%20Easily:%20The%20Welding%20Positioner%20Elbow%20Jig%20&body=%20Here's%20a%20web%20page%20I%20thought%20you'd%20be%20interested%20in%20https://www.ljwelding.com/blog/elbow-jigs.) 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Search this site on Google search - [Catalogue](https://www.ljwelding.com/catalogue/) - [About](https://www.ljwelding.com/about-us/) - [Case Studies](https://www.ljwelding.com/blog) - [Contact](https://www.ljwelding.com/contact-us-today/) [![ljwelding](https://www.ljwelding.com/hubfs/mobile-logo.png)](https://www.ljwelding.com/) ** Search this site on Google Search Google # How-To Weld Elbow Joints Easily: The Welding Positioner Elbow Jig ### Posted by [Rob Stewart](https://www.ljwelding.com/blog/author/rob-stewart) on Apr 22, 2016 1:37:10 PM # LJ Welding Automation - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) --- ## **Introducing The Elbow Jig** ![welding positioner elbow jig](https://www.ljwelding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/elbow_jig_for_welding_positioners.jpg?width=738&name=elbow_jig_for_welding_positioners.jpg "welding positioner elbow jig") ### **SITUATION** Pipe fabrication facilities have always needed to weld elbows for long pipe runs that change directions but it has always been a cumbersome, challenging and often dangerous process. Many facilities have identified this as an opportunity for improvement but until now, did not have a viable solution for the problem. It has resulted in a variety of make-shift, temporary solutions for a long-standing welding operation often done hundreds of times per year.    ### **PROBLEM ** ![elbow jig mistake](https://www.ljwelding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Elbow_Jig_Whoops-1.jpg?width=308&name=Elbow_Jig_Whoops-1.jpg "elbow jig mistake")Welding elbow joints are time consuming and difficult because of the awkward shape they present, the weight they carry and the degree that they bend. Without a proper brace securely fastened to the elbow and [pipe welding positioner](https://www.ljwelding.com/products/type/welding-positioners/), the job must be done manually.  - **Safety Issues:** By fabricating a make-shift elbow brace that hasn't been destructive tested or designed by APEGA certified engineers, this puts welders in danger and the company liable for injury or death. - **Time Consuming:** Manually welding elbows is time intensive and lost welder productivity is preventable waste. - **Expensive:** If this low variability / high volume process isn't automated it's an inefficiency that is making pipe yards less competitive because they are less profitable. ### **SOLUTION**  LJ responded by creating the elbow jig. Here's how it works: ## Step 1: Set Your [Gripper](https://www.ljwelding.com/products/accessories/30-gripper-t30-100/) To The [Pipe Welding Positioner's](https://www.ljwelding.com/products/type/welding-positioners/headstock-tailstock-positioners/) [Chuck](https://www.ljwelding.com/products/accessories/3-jaw-self-centering-scroll-chuck/) Face ![pipe positioner with chuck for welding](https://www.ljwelding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/pipe_welding_positioner_with_gripper.png?width=640&name=pipe_welding_positioner_with_gripper.png "pipe positioner with chuck for welding") ## Step 2: Safely Secure To The [Pipe Welding Positioner](https://www.ljwelding.com/products/welding-positioners/pipe-turning-positioners/60p-pipe-turning-positioner-60p-100/) ![pipe welding positioners for sale](https://www.ljwelding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/pipe_welding_positioners.png?width=640&name=pipe_welding_positioners.png "pipe welding positioners for sale") ## Step 3: Crane Lift The Elbow Jig Into The Gripper ![welding positioner demo](https://www.ljwelding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/pipe_welding_positioner_demonstration_with_elbow_jig.png?width=640&name=pipe_welding_positioner_demonstration_with_elbow_jig.png "welding positioner demo") ## Step 4: Unhook The Crane Strap Once The Elbow Jig Is Secured ![elbow jig and welding positioner](https://www.ljwelding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/elbow_jig_with_welding_positioner_explained.png?width=640&name=elbow_jig_with_welding_positioner_explained.png "elbow jig and welding positioner") ## Step 5: Remove The Bars ![elbow jig and weld positioner](https://www.ljwelding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/elbow_jig_and_welding_positioner.png?width=640&name=elbow_jig_and_welding_positioner.png "elbow jig and weld positioner") ## Step 6: Lift The Elbow Into The Jig ![elbow jig set up](https://www.ljwelding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/welding_positioner_elbow_jig_set_up.png?width=640&name=welding_positioner_elbow_jig_set_up.png "elbow jig set up") ## Step 7: Measure The Fit ![welding positioner for pipe](https://www.ljwelding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/pipe_welding_positioners-1.png?width=640&name=pipe_welding_positioners-1.png "welding positioner for pipe") ## Step 8: Fasten Elbow Into The Jig ![welding positioner with elbow jig](https://www.ljwelding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/elbow_jig_with_weld_positioner.png?width=640&name=elbow_jig_with_weld_positioner.png "welding positioner with elbow jig") ## Step 9: Adjust [Pipe Stands](https://www.ljwelding.com/products/type/welding-pipe-stands/) ![welding pipe stand explanation](https://www.ljwelding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/pipe_welding_stand_how_to_use.png?width=640&name=pipe_welding_stand_how_to_use.png "welding pipe stand explanation") ## Step 10: Crane Lift Pipe Into Place ![pipe lifted onto welding stands from crane](https://www.ljwelding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/pipe_welding_stand_uses.png?width=640&name=pipe_welding_stand_uses.png "pipe lifted onto welding stands from crane") ## Step 11: Tack Elbow To Pipe ![welding positioners with pipe roller stands](https://www.ljwelding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/pipe_welding_positioners_with_welding_stand.png?width=640&name=pipe_welding_positioners_with_welding_stand.png "welding positioners with pipe roller stands") **CONCLUSION:** The elbow jig has resulted in a 25-30% reduction in weld times in addition to increasing weld quality and worker safety. If you'd like to view various elbow jig sizes and specs, click the [elbow jig link](https://www.ljwelding.com/products/accessories/elbow-jig-30-od-2000-lbs-capacity-030e-200/) here.   To request a quote for elbow jigs, click below: [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/533446/fe86e078-4ea4-4f6f-8483-b337ce9b5316.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/533446/fe86e078-4ea4-4f6f-8483-b337ce9b5316) ## View the Elbow Jig Video Below:     ---   Topics: [Productivity](https://www.ljwelding.com/blog/topic/productivity) If you liked this blog, please share! --- ![](https://www.ljwelding.com/hubfs/Rob_Stewart_pic.jpg) Posted by [Rob Stewart](https://www.ljwelding.com/blog/author/rob-stewart) VP of Global Sales | Partner Find me on: [LinkedIn](https://ca.linkedin.com/in/weldingautomationexpert) [Twitter ](http://www.twitter.com/therobstewart) If you liked this blog, please share! 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