By CCash
Date 03-16-2012 16:44
Edited 03-16-2012 16:57
This is a great challenge, how about two pieces of light I beam welded with a +/- 1” gap. Making a U shape ( open at one end)? You could weld a series dogs to the I beam, apposing each other, or offset as needed, this could be slipped upside down over the tank wall and “ walked” around as needed ( it wouldn’t be hard to add some rollers to the top where it rests on the upper section of the tank wall to help move it around the joint). With dogs on both sides of the I beam and spaced along the length (top to bottom) this jig would work for both the horizontal and vertical welds the dogs would be pushing against each other , with the silo wall in between. There would be some flex of the beams, but depending on the tank wall thickness it shouldn’t be a big issue. Cheers, Cash
Edit: After placing the jig, this could become mostly a one person operation. Tighten or loosen the outside bolts, pressing against the inside dogs, when the fit is acceptable, loosen the outside bolts, move over as needed, and start the fit-up again