Abstract: A method of forming tapered tubes for use as utility poles and the like comprises the steps of making a pair of cuts generally lengthwise of a cylindrical tube on opposite sides of the tube but offset at one end from a common diameter the same distance in the same direction and slanting the cuts so that at the other end of the tube they are on the opposite side of the same diameter, leaving a pair of tube halves having a small arc and a large arc at each end, reversing one of the tube halves to place both small arcs at one end and both large arcs at the other end, welding the halves to each other along the cut edges, and pressing the resultant tube to substantially circular cross section.

Abstract: A method of forming tapered tube sections from a cylindrical tube section and for forming tapered tubes from cylindrical tubes. A cylindrical tube is severed along a plane that is not parallel to its longitudinal axis, the resulting tube sections are reformed into new radii, the tube sections are then reversed and welded together to form a tapered tube of the desired configuration.

Abstract: A truss-type brake beam has end members with pockets for receiving the abutting end portions of the compression channel and tension bar members with the pocket rear wall abutting the rear surface of the compression member web and the front wall abutting the front surface of the tension member, the end portion of which is bent so as to extend parallel and in abutting relation with the front surface of the compression member web and which extends slightly beyond the end of the compression member, the protruding surfaces of the tension member being joined by a fillet weld to the end surfaces of the compression member web and flanges such that the fillet weld forms an abutment on the tension member engaging the entire end surface of the compression member whereby the tension member is maintained in tension. The end member rear and front walls are formed with windows, the peripheries of which are fillet-welded to the exposed surfaces of the compression and tension members.