Welding Hall of Shame

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We've seen all the pretty welds, so lets see the ugly gorrilla welds.  They dont have to be your own work, but lets avoid posting up somebody else's work and calling them out in this thread.  Post them up and make us all feel better about our work.  I'll start out with a few.These first ones were pictures taken of a stainless tank trailer.  You know, the ones that get blown up a lot over in Iraq, while carrying fuel?  This is the kind of work on many of them.  Well...maybe not quite that bad.  This particular one, I was called over to repair.  Notice all the grinding from so much spatter.  They liked to put guys on the product to train them.  They didn't see the need for certifications, even when their contract called for it.  They also didn't understand that you shouldn't spend 3 times as long grinding spatter as you did making the weld. Attached ImagesLast edited by Engloid; 10-07-2007 at 06:01 PM.
Reply:another pic.  Notice the overlapped weld.  WHen a weld was rejected, their QC guy would write "GW" next to it.  That was for Grind and Weld.  Rather than grind it out completely, they'd just grind a line down the middle of the weld.  They would then lay a big weave over the top of it, which often resulted in really bad overlap. Attached Images
Reply:The weld does not look like SS !Me!
Reply:I know, but it was.  They used argon/CO2 mix to do it.  WHen you weld that hot, and weave that wide, you lose a lot of gas coverage.Oh...they used the same gas to tig weld stainless.  haha!!!It took about a month to convince them that it was wrong to use any C02 mix for tig.  Some of the welders were actually mad about the change, and didn't like it.  To my knowledge, the only welders they had on site that were properly certified were the ones that I certified...which was probably about 10% of their welders.
Reply:Engloid, only you could bring up a thread with so much to offer!!!! I have a few gems for you to get it rolling proper!! I don't know what drives them to do this, but they do it!!!And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:My first attempt at a T joint with stick (3 days after I took delivery of my Syncro 200).  I wasn't sure how to work the amps and I turned the metal into a window.  Unfortunately, I have to admit the picture was taken about one month ago!!!
Reply:Just the FACT! that I actually own one of these should punch my ticket.. ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:I had a guy walk in a few months ago looking for a job, said he's got twenty years in the business of making trailers. As soon as he said the following words I knew to show him the door right quick,he says "you ain't gonna find anyone better than me around here". I already knew the outcome but proceeded to tell him to grab some stuff out of the scrap bin and glue them together. It scares me to think there is twenty years worth of his work tooling down our highways if he did work like this on all of them. Dave Attached ImagesI am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!
Reply:I notice the pics begin with SUC..Yes they do!...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:This guy would not listen to me telling him to boot the LN-25 and grab a stick for this painted greasy used structural steel. So it took 3 people 3 days to grind and torch out his crap and reweld it properly. Yes, this is all MIG. It almost looks like slag on it huh?
Reply:Man I thought my welding sucked.   I don't feel so bad now.
Reply:Here's the one that I think will top them all. I got it off another forum.  I don't remember who welded it...but when your welding looks like this, it's no shocker when somebody says it looks bad.I've got two more pics of the same weld, if you guys want to see an encore.
Reply:guys...I can't get it to resize here at work.  I'll try it later from home.  Sorry.
Reply:This guy wondered why I refused to do a backhalf without removing his existing cage.  It was welded to plates all the way around, no subframe connectors, and the plates had about 4, 1" long stitch welds holding it to the floor pans in this Nova.
Reply:This is getting FUN!!!!And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:What uh...what are we doin' here? Oh, uh, oh yeah, mmm here you go. I had a perfect fit up, after that it all went downhill. I made this about the turn of the century with  E6013 on my Century AC machine.Century Welder, turn of the century, see what I did there? Around the same time I did the handle on the persuader.Can you see why I wanted to get into welding classes?City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:sorry if i offend anyone, i really don't mean to, but suddenly i feel a little better about my stuff. i've only been welding for a couple weeks now with an LE 100HD with .035 flux cored wire and am by no means happy with my welds. i think it turns out okay, but is far from great.
Reply:ok zap I will try and figure out the camra to post some picks of water truck repairs I have been doing , just an idea these trucks are 20 years old and have had recycled water , river water , salt water , etc , I am not proud of the creations but they dont leak.
Reply:One of the worst I have ever come across has got to be this onehttp://welderstephan.googlepages.com...80028-full.jpgOwner of Bushwacker Mobile WeldingPictures
Reply:Originally Posted by CoalsmokeOne of the worst I have ever come across has got to be this onehttp://welderstephan.googlepages.com...80028-full.jpg
Reply:Originally Posted by RojodiabloHOLY JESUS!!!! That's some mighty , er, um...red paint there!!!
Reply:Hmmm, pipe?  Check.Base plate?  Check.Five pounds of glopped on metallic filler looking like bird poop and melted candle wax?  Check.Slop some red paint on it and see if anyone notices the slight excess of welding filler glopped all over the place?  Check.  And don't even get complete paint coverage on it!Sheesh!!
Reply:I think I still might be able to top all these that have been posted so far..as soon as I get around to resizing the pic. (insert suspense here)
Reply:Come on Engloid! Turn off the gas to your tig and show us some ugly welds - yours are so perfect, I have to see you make a bad one - blindfolded even - I'll wait...Fire!, Fire! Oh wait, that's my torch...Lincoln PT-225 TIGLincoln 175 MIG
Reply:Originally Posted by VipernutCome on Engloid! Turn off the gas to your tig and show us some ugly welds - yours are so perfect, I have to see you make a bad one - blindfolded even - I'll wait...Originally Posted by CoalsmokeYeah, I know eh, it looks to me like they tried to cover up the welds with half a dozen coats of red paint
Reply:Originally Posted by RojodiabloAll we need is for someone at his shop to reverse the leads on his welder when he's not looking... that will raunch his tungsten, and set up a nasty bead. And that's all we need from him, is just one tiny booger weld!!!
Reply:ok here's a gem for ya. found this posted on a forum a while back. brace yourself, it's scary! Attached Images
Reply:I had this brought to me a few months back.I knocked the crossmember out with a 2 lb hammer.Lincoln PowerMIG 215XTLincoln Precision TIG 225Hypertherm 300
Reply:Originally Posted by NicksTrixok here's a gem for ya. found this posted on a forum a while back. brace yourself, it's scary!
Reply:Twisted mini,  I cracked up when I saw those pics. Thanks for posting them.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:The individual who did this claimed to be a 'certified' welder.  He works at a lawn mower repair shop, and charged my grandfather $20.00It probably itemized out to...5 cents for the welding AND $19.95 for the nice paint job.ASOD Attached ImagesBeauty in the Bead!
Reply:Originally Posted by ASODThe individual who did this claimed to be a 'certified' welder.  He works at a lawn mower repair shop, and charged my grandfather $20.00It probably itemized out to...5 cents for the welding AND $19.95 for the nice paint job.ASOD
Reply:Hell it might vibrate right apart.
Reply:I love that roll cage!!!!!If ya cant do it right than over kill it
Reply:Looking at some of these welds,just makes me smile  10 years ago, I had never touched a welder in my life,I got a brand new 205amp mig and bottle of Argon,Couple pieces of ally,"This cant be too hard! all you have to do is pull the trigger!"........"         "Looking back: We all started somewhere.A good guess is better than a bad measurement
Reply:When I bought my first LN-25, I had never used a MIG.  All I had was a weldmanpower with the CV tap.  I tried it out at the welding store.  The salesmen said "wow, he can really weld".   It looked like crap, I didn't have a clue.  But I bought it.  That was over 20 years ago.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I wonder why this tank just WONT hold pressure....  Its soooo confusing!While we are on this subject, does anyone have a picture of what a MIG welded (or blobbed) piece of aluminum looks like done with an Argon/Co2 mix?Last edited by 3 weelin geezer; 10-20-2007 at 02:54 PM.
Reply:I think I found a thread I can shine in.
Reply:Ok, I finally got around to resizing the pics.  Now,...for the one guy that made these welds (if he reads here), don't take this personal, as you gotta know this is all in good fun and that the guys here will do anything to help you.  For others...  I think this one BARELY takes the prize, but it's such a close call that others may disagree with me.   Attached Images
Reply:HOLY SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSlag!"My Babies: HF Drill pressHF Pipe Bender3   4.5" Black and Decker angle grindersLincoln Electric PROMIG 175that´s it!
Reply:You people need to stop posting pictures of my work around here. I am trying.haha.
Reply:Believe it or not those pass for pro class work down here apparently. I've never seen so much ugly welding as I see down here. Of course my competition uses little welder/generators or generators running ac lincoln cracker boxes, stuff like that, and apparently do not know what a square or level are. Oh, and weld it all with 6011.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jolly RogerBelieve it or not those pass for pro class work down here apparently. I've never seen so much ugly welding as I see down here. Of course my competition uses little welder/generators or generators running ac lincoln cracker boxes, stuff like that, and apparently do not know what a square or level are. Oh, and weld it all with 6011.
Reply:Man, if only I had a camera back from when I was learning to weld!All I really have is a vague discription...."Man, it looks like birdsh*t on a branch!"  The farmer way!  "ahh, whut's the wors'that'll happen?" (2 trucks and a tractor stuck in the mud, that's what. Ahh, childhood memories!)Last edited by mb_welder; 10-31-2007 at 06:45 AM.
Reply:First few weeks with my welder I was experimenting...  Trying to weld but also trying to make mistakes on purpose for the sake of knowing what would happen.This is an experiment in maxing out my little Lincoln 135 (D voltage, 10 wire speed) and holding the gun still for 15-20 seconds at a time on a piece of bedframe.
Reply:This is good for a nomination.  Yeah, I did it.  Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by David R Yeah, I did it.
Reply:Originally Posted by Joe HBS!!!!!!
Reply:Originally Posted by DarkhandFirst few weeks with my welder I was experimenting...  Trying to weld but also trying to make mistakes on purpose for the sake of knowing what would happen.This is an experiment in maxing out my little Lincoln 135 (D voltage, 10 wire speed) and holding the gun still for 15-20 seconds at a time on a piece of bedframe.