Heat build up caused by weld-filling a gap can cause the ring to distort. Tack welding, a necessary preliminary step in installation of your hatch, must be performed correctly to achieve optimal results from the final weld and to minimize part defects. The proper welding sequence can prevent distortion.

After mounting the ring, from below deck uniformly tack the ring to the deck with 1" welds. These welds must be made in the sequence shown above. Complete the 1" tack weld at position #1 (above). Tack weld at position #2 as far as possible to the opposite side of the ring. Tack weld at position #3 as far as possible from the last tack weld. Continue tack welding as far as possible from th elast tack and in order as shown above.

Tack welding is complete when the welds are 6" apart along th eentire perimeter fo the ring. This alternate spacing is critical to prevent distortion of the ring. Once the tack welding is complete, from the top side of the deck, fully weld the perimeter of the ring using skip welds. This is an example only, each size will vary.