Pipeline Welding Questions

admin

Hello! I am interested in getting into the pipeline welding field and am hoping there are some pipeline welders on here who can answer some of my newbie questions. Thank you all in advance for your advice, it is greatly appreciated!I have been extensively searching the 798 website for information. They have the tests listed, but I am slightly unsure of some of the terms. Be able to pass a downhill welding test: 24” .500 wall bell-hole test, to be puddle capped is what the website says. Some people say bell-hole is when you are down in the ditch welding beside the pipe, others say it's a slang term for a 6G. I have yet to find anything on puddle capping. Any ideas?I see that there are two main job titles; welder and welder-helper. Obviously when on the jobsite each welder gets at least one welder-helper. Is it possible for a welder and welder-helper to be a permanent team and travel together? I am asking this because my husband and I have been tossing around the idea of pipelining for awhile, and am wondering if we could work together exclusively. I suppose another question would be if there are stipulations on married couples working together? Thanks again!Samantha
Reply:Bellhole test is another term for 6G, Puddle cap is basically one pass cap.  As opposed to side by side stringer cap.  There is a 798 hand on this site (Slowhand) that welds and his wife is his helper.-------------------------Chemetron AC/DC 300 HFSnap-On MM300L Lincoln SP140 Lincoln AC/DC 225g Lincoln SA200 Lincoln SA200 Miller Bobcat 225GVictor torchesH&M and Mathey beveling machinesMcElroy Plastic pipe fusion
Reply:1.bell hole is a weld done in 5g and Arkansas bell hole is in 6g.2.puddle cap is one wide bead, instead of stringers
Reply:here is an example of stringer cap and a puddle cap Attached Images
Reply:798 you may not be able to have the same helper on every job, just depends on the out of work list really.
Reply:Non union work is much easier in that respect
Reply:Last i heard the 798 has a VERY VERY long waiting list. Best try other means first. Also do you have any experience welding on pipe?~1987 Lincoln Sa-200~~1978 Miller Big 40~ (restored) ~and everything inbetween~
Reply:You will need an array of experience to weld on a pipeline, or any transmission line, as there is more than "just welding" going on. And as far as I can tell, nobody is getting into 798 these days. Like Bostick said, the waiting list is LONG. You will also need your own rig, and appropriate tools. The list is longer than your average welder's bucket. You need to be prepared to live on site at times. Be it a man camp or a trailer. Or in your truck. Or in a tent hidden 2 miles from the ROW.Someone also mentioned, non union would be the best way to go as a "team". Show up with your rig and you could be hired on the spot. There is some costly insurance required, as you will be a "one man business".
Reply:Thank you everyone for the information! I really appreciate it. I wasn't aware that 798 had such a long wait list. Are there a lot of non union companies out there? I currently work for a company that makes pressure vessels and heat exchangers. I have only welded pipe on a positioner with mig roots and flux core fillers and covers. I am going to school for welding engineering and my teacher is showing me how to do a 6G with 6010 downhill root and 7018 fillers. Hoping to keep practicing and become good enough to make it to the pipeline. A dream that will hopefully become reality!Thank you guys again!!
Reply:Oops...forgot to add, what kind of pipeline welder would you guys recommend? I have heard of guys using Lincoln SA200s. Are they a good choice, or are there better options out there? Wasn't sure if a pipeline company would be hesitant to hire a welder with an older welding machine. Just trying to see how much more equipment an on-the-road welder would need compared to an in-shop welder. Thanks! =)
Reply:Your machine honestly doesn't matter, as long as it can handle the work. SA200s and SA250s are very common. Whether they are new or from 1960 up.I'm not sure about companies that do pipeline work. I have a few buddies in the field I'll try and shoot them a message. They work 7 12s usually and aren't always responsive. I know Kinder Morgan has been hiring for pipeline welders lately. Around Kansas, Pennsylvania, and somewhere else. Arkansas maybe? I can't remember. Tell your instructor you want to use 6010 all the way out, downhill. Or if he's got it, 6010 and 8010. You won't use 7018 too much.
Reply:Sa200, sa250 classic 300d, vantage 300, or miller pipe pro, wouldn't attempt to pipeline without one of those
Reply:Pipelining is really hard work, it's long hours in the heat, work 6 or 7 days a week for months at a time, burn rods one after the other all day long and run from joint to joint.No thanks.