Bad welders

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I was surprised to learn that 9 out of 10 contract welders that come into the shipyard washout during the initial testing at the onsite training school.  I've seen some of the test pieces they leave and its like looking at a 5 year olds attempt at drawing the mona lisa.
Reply:Lots of people "weld"....Very few do it well.I remember my instructor walking us across campus where "professionals" were performing some pipe welding and it literally looked like a bird had pooed all over it. Learned a valuable lesson there.1981 Lincoln SA 200Miller Trailblazer 302gMiller 211 Mig Welder w/ AutosetI'm learning to stick metal together
Reply:i know what you mean a few years ago was on a power house in cross south carliona got in with the qc dept got to help testwelders .in one week we run thru about 40 welders well what we thought were welders turned out to have 12 out of 40 that passed the test the rest colud not even pass as rod burners. my opion is that some of these schools wether it's a tech or community college or one of the other pay to play schools are running these folks thru and there not getting a whole lot out of them and these folks come out thinking they can walk onto a job as journeyman when there not.what ever happened to working your way up thru the ranks learning as you go?don't  be mad cause i can be mad cause you can't!
Reply:I have been fixing  more and more Bad welds and it is just amazing to me how some people can believe that they can weld. My first attempts at welding looked better them some of the "professional" welds I have seen just amazing to me.Vantage 300 kubota ,miller 304 xmt ,lincoln ln 25 pro , ranger 305 G, plenty of other tools of the trade to make the sparks fly.
Reply:Big65,Have you read some of the responses/questions posted on this forum?I seriously question whether some of the posters would have enough sense to get off the bus when it stops at the workplace.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:I don't claim to be a professional welder, but on the rare occasions that I have to stick weld out of position, bird poo might be a good description of my welds.  Welding stick in flat position, my welds usually look OK.I suspect that some OK welders would have trouble TIG welding 0.040 (1 mm) thick copper, because it is not something that they have experience in.  But that is something I do frequently, so I am not too bad at it.Not to say that there are not bad welders, but it may be that some of these guys know how to do certain kinds of welding, but when you take them away from what they have practiced, they fall apart.   No substitute for  a range experience, versus doing the same thing over and over.My two cents,RichardSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:not so true Raferguson ive tested on things that were so far outside the norm for me but it still looked decent welding 20 to 30 thousands thick ss bellows in way off positions while running the peddle between your knees 6 inches off the floor in a corner ....a good welder should be able to prevail...if not he should not be attempting to do the welds remember long after you are gone the weld will be there for every one to see. like i say im better than some and worse than others ...lolAfter the arc has died the weld remains
Reply:I think a lot of schools now days are much more concerned about collecting the $$$$$ than anything else.....
Reply:Originally Posted by Big65moparI was surprised to learn that 9 out of 10 contract welders that come into the shipyard washout during the initial testing at the onsite training school.  I've seen some of the test pieces they leave and its like looking at a 5 year olds attempt at drawing the mona lisa.
Reply:Originally Posted by 1awert1I think a lot of schools now days are much more concerned about collecting the $$$$$ than anything else.....
Reply:If it was easy, these guys would have been doing it.Two turn tables and a microphone.
Reply:but than again if you go threw one of the apprenticeships you should come out a decent welder.....but as all ways there all ways exceptions to the rule.the trade weld schools are not after the money they are about you becoming a good welder and are taught by welders who know what is expected in the field but than again thats my opinion.After the arc has died the weld remains
Reply:I take great pride in my welding. Im aware their are many who are more proficient at it.We used to be Union, not anymore. So when 1 of two welders was let go, I asked to be sent to a school. Of course the School is out to make money, but as a student, I got out of it, what I put in. I asked questions to instructors who were qualified to answer said questions.IE, pipe welding questions, I asked Timmy, Boilermaker for 27 yrs, he was obviously qualified to answer. TIG? talk to Bryce, top notch fabricator- but no pipe-welder...I usually ask "older" guys to critique my welds, I want to get better....If they know a different technique, or even how to hold the stinger differently, so be it.I have Alligator skin, so "older" guys seem to be willing to share more of their secrets, and I feel thats something the younger kids are losing fast. Ill be 30 in 5 mos, and I swear, I cant work with 24yr olds... They take EVERYTHING personal....Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120