Really... All it takes is time.
Time to think about how best to do it.
Time to re-think everything.
Time to draw out the pattern on the pipe.
Time to cut out the pattern on craft paper.
Time to lay the craft paper on the pipe to check for proper coverage.
Time to lay out and cut out your pattern on the PRIME metal
Time to form, reform, reform and reform the PRIME metal so it lays perfectly over the damaged area.
Time it takes using a scribe to outline on your pipe where the new PRIME metal piece is going.
Time it takes to drill the holes at each corner. (do not drill outside the scribe lines. I did on one hole and had to carefully weld that area due to not having metal there)
Time to shape, trim, reshape, trim again the PRIME metal so it fits perfectly into the cut-out.
Time to set up the welder so you don't melt through the PARENT or PRIME metal.
Time to clean the oil residue away from inside the pipe around the whole area you intend to weld to keep oil from contaminating the weld.
Time to tac weld the PRIME metal into place so it best fits the circumference of the pipe.
Time to stitch weld (1/2 inch weld, stop. move far away from that weld and run another 1/2 inch weld, stop) the entire circumference of the PRIME metal into place.
All that time spent is so you don't warp the PARENT metal of the pipe.
Time using a 180 grit sanding disk on the pneumatic angle grinder to feather out the weld without going too deep into the PRIME or PARENT metal.
Time using a buffing pad on the pneumatic angle grinder to completely blend in the welded areas.
It's a good thing I had two full days to get this project done.
Worth every second.
![:smt003](./images/smilies/003.gif)