Abstract: A method of welding a pipe to a pipe plate conprises slipping a ring over the pipe, the adjoining surfaces of the ring being in contact with the pipe surface and with the pipe plate surface over the entire circumference, inserting the pipe end over a short distance into a bore in the pipe plate, rolling the end of the pipe against the bore wall whereby a clamping contact between the pipe end and the bore wall is achieved and welding the pipe end to the pipe plate with the aid of a nonconsumable electrode under conditions that only a portion of the cross section of the ring melts. It is preferable, after welding the end of the pipe within the interior of the bore to melt completely the ring and to achieve a second weld joint. In this last step, one or more circular welds between the pipe end and the inner surface of the bore are made.