Welding Tips and Tricks

I spent last week in SLC for a work-related conference. As I was waiting in front of the hotel for the shuttle to the conference site, I found myself killing time by analyzing the welds on the base for the canopy over the front door area. I guess that makes it official -- I'm a welding geek!

ldbtx wrote:I spent last week in SLC for a work-related conference. As I was waiting in front of the hotel for the shuttle to the conference site, I found myself killing time by analyzing the welds on the base for the canopy over the front door area. I guess that makes it official -- I'm a welding geek!

Your not alone.
The struggle is real.

AKweldshop wrote:

ldbtx wrote:I spent last week in SLC for a work-related conference. As I was waiting in front of the hotel for the shuttle to the conference site, I found myself killing time by analyzing the welds on the base for the canopy over the front door area. I guess that makes it official -- I'm a welding geek!

Your not alone.
The struggle is real.

Amen!

I will, when my mind is idle, analyze any weld I can see. I'll get up and walk all the way around an aluminum-bed trailer, or walk up and down a stairwell, studying the welds.

I'm glad I'm not alone.

Steve S

I find myself inspecing welds of all kinds in every kind of application while out and about. As we all have, I have seen some beautiful pieces of work to the ugliest, nastiest, sloppy welds that look like they are ready to fall apart. I have seen some structural welds on staircases which were so bad, I refused to walk up the staircase. Where was the inspector on these jobs?? Where would the world be without skilled welders??? I have been amazed and captivated by welding from a youngster to this day.

Jim

Wait, we are not supposed to inspect those welds?
-Jonathan

You should all be ashamed of yourselves. Corrupting a poor, innocent aerospace assembly mechanic by turning him to the Dark Side of welding.
I'm not as worried about my welds anymore, but the welds of the tool (jig) which bares the brunt of my daily work. I can, from memory, point out every single weld on the tool and recite the location of those with the slightest doubt. I can identify the process used for each one as well. They are all far superior to mine, but I catch myself inspecting every bead that catches my eye. It's all your fault.

I'm sure exnailpounder and a few others are all too happy to have crossed over, as am I.

Now, if only SavePhace would roll out a Vader decal......hmmmmm.

I have crossed over but I never really did until I got back into TIG welding. I used to build catwalks and shelving, etc... for fast lube centers and it was production MIG but I tried to make every weld better than the last when I was building. Me and the warden were out on the bike one day and we went by a center that I did work for about 15 years ago so we stopped so I could show her what I used to do. I inspected all those catwalks and man was I good! I still want to produce good welds but alas, my eyes are going and it doesn't matter what glasses or helmet cheater I use, my welds are not as good as with plain ole eyesight. Being a repairman, I thought I had seen every garbage weld ever made but now I see more because I look more. I have seen welds in the refineries that were absolute works of art, never any bad ones in that setting but everywhere the standards aren't so high, I see shit welds all over now....as if I don't have enough quirks, now the warden asks "why are you staring at that trailer hitch"? I had to join a welding forum and develope a new neurosis...thanks guys...my therapist thanks you too...lol

LOL! "The warden."

Also, have you noticed it's only a single space between "Therapist" and "The rapist?" Consider that when the bill comes...

Steve S

Warden or my other favorite, ball and chain. I just joke about these names, I am VERY lucky to have a great gal. She bought me a new TIGwelder for Chrissakes! I know wha you mean about "the-rapist"...I got a piece of metal in my eye a few weeks ago on a Sunday morning.
I could not get it out but didn't want to go to the Emergency Room so we went to the new walk in clinic in town...$After about 5 minutes they got the metal out and charged me $250! I made a joke to the the warden who was waitng in the lobby when she asked how I was....I said my bootyhole hurts and she asked why and I showed her the bill. I made sure to say it loudly in front of other patients and the receptionist. My insurance doesn't cover it either

I got this photo via email with no description and no subject, but instantly knew what it meant: the "inspect welds everywhere" disease.

I'm with you fellers. Everywhere I go I look at the quality, or lack there of, of welds. I find welds are like people. There are all kinds. Some good, some bad and some that shouldn't exist, but do.

Sorry for the metaphor.

My wife and I were out fishing and tied off to a big red bouy channel marker. While fishing I told my wife, those welds don't look that great! But I'm sure that marker has been out there for years.

I spend time looking at welds, and I encourage my students to do the same! One thing I really, really stress to the students is to not only be able to evaluate any weld and spot discontinuity, but to understand WHY that discontinuity is there. What the welder did wrong; usually it comes down to angles, sometimes speed or machine settings.

With that in mind, I hate second guessing anyone. I wasn't there when they welded it, so I don't know exactly what they were going through or why!

jlfxdwg wrote:I'm with you fellers. Everywhere I go I look at the quality, or lack there of, of welds. I find welds are like people. There are all kinds. Some good, some bad and some that shouldn't exist, but do.

Sorry for the metaphor.

I find your statement to be accurate and true!

What is a metta four?

ok, so now when i look at a nice bead ill think of
that hotdog and get hungry, gee thanks......