Tig-in sanitary pipe

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Hello all;Well the boss came up to me today and asked if I wanted to learn how to do sanitary pipe.  And that it would be good for my career(better for his company).  And may mean more money for me down the road.  My question is how much money dose a sanitary pipe welder earn on average?  The guy that was doing it left for a better paying company.  He would not tell me what he was making(big secret around here).  I just don't know if its worth the time.  Don't get me wrong, I know knowledge is power.  And the more I can learn the better.  I just dont trust this guy.
Reply:If it's more than you're making now, and the education is free (on the company dime), why not go for it?
Reply:by sanitary you mean facotrycleaned pipe with constant internal purge ? its a pain in the ***, thats for sure...
Reply:I work in excavating more than fabrication at this point, so I saw this post and thought something completely different.Hobart Stickmate LX AC/DC buzzboxLincoln SP-100 MIGMid-size O/A setup with heating tips and cutterJet 5"x6" Horizontal/Vertical BandsawAtlas 15" drill press
Reply:Originally Posted by FoxholeAtheistIf it's more than you're making now, and the education is free (on the company dime), why not go for it?
Reply:I say go for it. I don't get to do sanitary much anymore but I just finished a 2 week job in Maine that was nothing but sanitary and I loved every minute of it. I'm always first to volunteer on sanitary jobs
Reply:You were wondering what that guy who use to work for you make.This is what I can tell you.I have been a sanitary welder since 92 in california and back then when I started learning to weld for a sanitary company. I started making 16 to start.  have come a long way and have more than just sanitary under my belt .Fab skills also.I am currently making 34 bucks an hour and have more work out here in california than I can shake a stick at 2009 . You have to have really good eyes, xlnt hand control, and be really into it.There are a lot of guys out here who strut around claiming they can do it but if that is the case then how come there are so many welders out here without work. From what My owner has told me is that it was time to get rid of the trash talkers. The ones who lands jobs based on connections. I have been to job site where guys are making more than me and can't throw it down. It was always why does it have to be that good.I can do it if the boss pays me more. Etc,etc, so it was time to take the trash and and no better time than when the economy is down a perfect excuse that nobody can argue. So now you hear all these guys claiming that they can weld anything they have these certs etc,etc. The guy who left was making at least 26-27 per hour probably struted around like his stuff doesn't stink and found somebody else that listen to his stuff for an extra buck. If you can learn the skill then do it. This is what the sanitary industry out here looks for. on any machine set there are no warm up , there are no I have to get use to the machine. If you can purge weld.And your setting up then  you go set the gas, set the amps and throw it dow on the first round pure copper welds al the way around. And if your bomb then cup walk it all the way around with chrome to light straw color with full PEN.If you can do that move out to CA and you got a job waiting. Companies out here. MD stainless, GOLDEN SEAL services, ZION STAINLESS, ESTRELLAS. You get machines,a truck, perdiem, killer pay.But you have to get in and get out cup walk and bust like 60-70 welds per day.If you got wrist problem then cut your losses you can't do it. Lots of guys get carparl tunnel because they use improper techniques and get it in like 4 months.Good LUCK and learn it
Reply:WOW a company that is willing to teach purge welding. Jump on it, I have been teaching this to myself and is not easy, alot of headaches to do on your own. But it is fairly simple once someone shows you some tips on it. I have been trying to get into a company strictly for purge welding and walking the cup on stainless steel. Whats the worst that could happen if you learn it, you already dont trust the guy, learn it and move on. That is one thing you have up on him. He cant show you wrong because its his business for you to do it right. Most people I know can be well up over 20 on something like that.
Reply:i do sanitary welding in food processing..i make 23/hr  but im also a mechanic
Reply:Always good to learn any skill they will teach you. I don`t care what it is...machining, hygienic TIG welding, anything.    Now Sanitary pro you saidAnd if your bomb then cup walk it all the way around with chrome to light straw color with full PENJust curious as to what thickness you are speaking of here??....I`m no pro on purge pipe. But on the thin stuff  (I`m not a pipe guy so I don`t even know the schedule or whatever)  1/16th wall 3" I have trouble getting full pen unless  I turn it more violet or even a tad darker sometimes. Maybe I need a bigger cup/smaller tungsten?  But even the last place I walked into for a test on 316L type stuff f would have sent me to school but I had to sell my soul to them for 16 an hour/60 hours a week mandatory.   The other tests that people had done all looked nice on the outside but None had full pen, too the degree that I asked...."Don`t you guys want FULL PEN?"  to which he said "sure if you can do it."   I laid a pretty nice full pen weld considering I have never done it on the job.  But there is no way I had good colors like what you describe on the outside. Guess I got a ways to go maybe....
Reply:Originally Posted by BrianNye Welding guyAlways good to learn any skill they will teach you. I don`t care what it is...machining, hygienic TIG welding, anything.    Now Sanitary pro you saidAnd if your bomb then cup walk it all the way around with chrome to light straw color with full PENJust curious as to what thickness you are speaking of here??....I`m no pro on purge pipe. But on the thin stuff  (I`m not a pipe guy so I don`t even know the schedule or whatever)  1/16th wall 3" I have trouble getting full pen unless  I turn it more violet or even a tad darker sometimes. Maybe I need a bigger cup/smaller tungsten?  But even the last place I walked into for a test on 316L type stuff f would have sent me to school but I had to sell my soul to them for 16 an hour/60 hours a week mandatory.   The other tests that people had done all looked nice on the outside but None had full pen, too the degree that I asked...."Don`t you guys want FULL PEN?"  to which he said "sure if you can do it."   I laid a pretty nice full pen weld considering I have never done it on the job.  But there is no way I had good colors like what you describe on the outside. Guess I got a ways to go maybe....
Reply:Baila La Pinza Welcome!I`m glad I`m not the only on who has not seen chrome to straw manually, especially WITH FILLER like I`m used to. I can understand getting lighter colors autogenously but I don`t think I could manage with the usual 1/16th rod I have. I don`t know though maybe I could be wrong. I never worked in the sanitary pipe industries, just wanted to get into it. Especially now with automotive stuff not doing good.
Reply:any skill that you learn and dont pay for is an asset. it may help his company but it helps your resume and skill level in the long run. if you have all the skills than you can choose the jobs you want and your reputation as a skilled and versatile welder is what will get you the big dollars.
Reply:Hi everyone It's good to hear from other people who weld sanitary pipework.I do a fair bit of sanitary pipework (both fabrication and welding) for dairy, brewery and general food industries.As also stated by the other guys, I have only really seen chrome or straw coloured welds from an orbital welder. A gas lense helps a lot, but my welds usually come out just past straw coloured.In regards to walking the cup, most of the places I have worked insist on your weld test being performed WITHOUT walking the cup. The reason for this is the often limited access to joints.There was, however, a brewery I was doing some work for that insisted on the weld test being done walking the cup. A problem developed as the bulk of the pipework started being installed, when most of the guys had been relying on walking the cup for too long. They had lost there finesse for free-hand welding around the tube in tight spaces, where walking the cup was not possible.I always weld freehand where I can to retain the finesse that is often needed when tigging.Please don't get me wrong, I love the look of a good weld that has been performed by walking the cup. I guess the point I'm trying to make is "horses for courses". Don't get too reliant on one technique. Freehand welds on tube can be pretty looking, too.Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. - Albert Einstein
Reply:I used to do sanitary pipe welding untill Smith meter discontinued making the apollo meter. Other than the boss, I was the only one allowed to touch it. Neither me or him ever had the light straw color. Of course the fit up on some of the meters was terrible, butted on one side, 1/16" gap on the other. Just the way the parts came to us. It came naturally to me, so I never realized it was such an in demand skill. I think I need to find a new job now. Any one need sanitary pipe work done? I may be willing to relocate if the price is right.  I never walked the cup. Just free hand. Kinda wish I had taken some pictures befor they were discontinued. Interesting looking piece of equipment, the apollo meter. I can't remember how thick the tube was, over 1/8", might have been 3/16". Had to get full pen, and every 6th one was xrayed.
Reply:Orbital Welding is becoming very popular because of it ease of use and repeatability. A skilled manual tig welder will always be in demand though.
Reply:If you have an opportunity to learn Sanitary Welding you really should jump at the chance.  As many of the posters have already said, it gives you more experience under your belt and opens up the opportunity to make more money and it will also make you more valuable at your company or future companies you may work for.  Just by learning Sanitary Welding you will now be able to do work for the food, dairy, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.  I know for a fact that Estrella's is always looking for good sanitary welders.