The Construction Thread

Too hard to work with? Don't be too lazy to learn.



The really good automatics don't need a TIG root. There's still a hell of a lot of manual pipe work out there. And there's a lot of places where the machines won't fit.

Me and stainless have a bad history of warping, embrittlement, hydrogen cracking and general HAZ havoc.
 
The AP (8/26) reported, "Nations across the continent list shortages in hundreds of occupations. Even as some countries tighten their already strict immigration rules, many are relaxing visa restrictions to help industries import candidates for the jobs that domestic workers can't - or won't - take up." The article notes that, "Many Europeans refuse low paid jobs, while failure in the past to plan properly for future labor needs has left some skilled professionals in short supply." Vanessa Rossi, an analyst at London's Chatham House think tank stated "Europe is suffering from its failure to train enough young people in specialist sectors, including medicine and areas such as nuclear power plant construction." She added, "While the United States was encouraging students a decade ago to handle major power plant projects, much of Europe was closing down specialist engineering centers and losing its expertise." The skill shortages means the EU must "loosen immigration rules in some specific sectors to be able attract talent from beyond Europe."
 
The AP (8/26) reported, "Nations across the continent list shortages in hundreds of occupations. Even as some countries tighten their already strict immigration rules, many are relaxing visa restrictions to help industries import candidates for the jobs that domestic workers can't - or won't - take up." The article notes that, "Many Europeans refuse low paid jobs, while failure in the past to plan properly for future labor needs has left some skilled professionals in short supply." Vanessa Rossi, an analyst at London's Chatham House think tank stated "Europe is suffering from its failure to train enough young people in specialist sectors, including medicine and areas such as nuclear power plant construction." She added, "While the United States was encouraging students a decade ago to handle major power plant projects, much of Europe was closing down specialist engineering centers and losing its expertise." The skill shortages means the EU must "loosen immigration rules in some specific sectors to be able attract talent from beyond Europe."
Our welders are all West Indian.

I'm about to muscle in on them. As one of them said once about the Rasta sticker on my headmask "wha' de hell yu know bout de Lion o' Judah, white bwoy?"
 
Just signed up for city/state SMAW test prep. Mondays.

Resisted the urge to also sign up for tower crane rigging.
 
I'm nice on verticles. Overhead can be shaky depending on the phase of the moon and what I had for lunch.

Set up is important. They will give a little on the angle so tilt the plate towards you to keep your head out from under it. Just a tad. Don't undercut the far side. Use the pipe holding the arm (that holds the plate) to lean against. That will keep the lunch beers from fucking up a good pass.

Take you time setting the heat. 7018 has a sweet spot.
 
Set up is important. They will give a little on the angle so tilt the plate towards you to keep your head out from under it. Just a tad. Don't undercut the far side. Use the pipe holding the arm (that holds the plate) to lean against. That will keep the lunch beers from fucking up a good pass.

Take you time setting the heat. 7018 has a sweet spot.

Just like my Big Bertha.
 
Set up is important. They will give a little on the angle so tilt the plate towards you to keep your head out from under it. Just a tad. Don't undercut the far side. Use the pipe holding the arm (that holds the plate) to lean against. That will keep the lunch beers from fucking up a good pass.

Take you time setting the heat. 7018 has a sweet spot.

Good advice. One of my problems is bad vision which is harder on the overheads. It's really all in my head, not any harder than vertical, but you start breathing hard, getting panicky and frustrated. I've done fine overheads in the field with no pressure.
 
Good advice. One of my problems is bad vision which is harder on the overheads. It's really all in my head, not any harder than vertical, but you start breathing hard, getting panicky and frustrated. I've done fine overheads in the field with no pressure.

I am not sure what kind of hood you are using. I like a 4" glass for testing. Put clean cover plates in. If you do not have one of those new fangled self tinting hoods you might consider it. It makes starting exactly where you want to happen every time. Take your time. Let the metal stack up.

Think the bead. Be the bead.
 
And, I am not calling you an old fart, but the supply house has cheaters to go in the hood. Having a little magnification might make the tests go easier.

Do not neglect to treat yourself to a tittie bar after the test. Gotta give a dog a bone.
 
I am not sure what kind of hood you are using. I like a 4" glass for testing. Put clean cover plates in. If you do not have one of those new fangled self tinting hoods you might consider it. It makes starting exactly where you want to happen every time. Take your time. Let the metal stack up.

Think the bead. Be the bead.

Yeah, I wanna get an auto hood. Even maybe get one with some kind of filtration unit.
 
What do you know about good filter or forced air systems. Something rugged enough and portable enough for the field.

I am no help there. All that smoke over the years has made my lungs tougher than leather. Nothing will be able to fuck them up now. When I do weld the nasty stuff I use external controls to get rid of the smoke. Welding hoods are heavy enough without adding more components to them.

Make sure to get an adjustable tinting lens. Mine goes from 9 to 12 and I use that feature all the time.
 
Good advice. One of my problems is bad vision which is harder on the overheads.

Have you thought about going into welding inspection?

Take your time. Let the metal stack up.

Think the bead. Be the bead.

AND use the grinder every time you stop.

What do you know about good filter or forced air systems. Something rugged enough and portable enough for the field.

You might look at a North BP1201, provided you're ok'ed to wear a half mask respirator.
 
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