Who else does this?

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Ok boys and girls..Who else is like me...ya know..you look at every weld you see no matter where you are and examine it closly..I look at everything..circus rides..gates..railings..anything and everything..and 9 times outta 10 i dont like what i see... are you as "anal" as i am? ...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 am by no means an experienced welder, but I do look at that stuff also. What really amazes me are joints that could have been ground down a little, but in the interest of time (and $$) are left really chunky and painted over. I have some wrought iron patio chairs from Home Depot that are covered with welds that are way too big and ugly IMHO.Lincoln AC-225
Reply:yeppers, all the time,, seems like theres a lot of hurry get it out the door.. guess its all about quantity over quality. but i guess  thats mass production
Reply:I do some farm repair stick and O/A. (just starting TIG) and I look all the time.Just last weekend I was looking at some picnic tables in a city park and all I could think was "They paid someone to do that?" They weren't ugly welds they were actually cracked.
Reply:I also look over others welds etc. A couple of weeks ago while we were at the local park I was looking over the playground equipment for ideas for projects in the back yard for the grandkids.  Some of the stuff I was seeing I was pretty impressed with. Some of it I was wondering how it held together. Mostly though it was all well built and has and will last for years to come.
Reply:I spend quite a bit of time checking out the heavier contructed stuff. Trailers, equipment, steel buildings, things like that. Anything that might be critical in nature. Not so much to see how pretty a bead is, I figure no better than I weld I have no business critiqueing someone elses work. What I focus on is how they did it, where they welded, how much, how and where they started and stopped, joint design, re-inforcments, all sorts of things that can be used for mental reference as to what normal is. I often look for failures, little cracks and repairs. Not from a "gotcha" aspect but from a what can I get out of this aspect. I look at an ugly bead to see if there is anything inherently wrong such as big globs that will act as a stress riser, spots too thin, etc.,... If the only thing wrong with it is that it's ugly, great.When it comes to cosmetics I figure they matter a lot for different reasons in different circles. Fences, railings and things like that. A bootyfull job is a beautiful job and rightfully so, but that's when you pull back and spend your efforts looking at the overall design and what can be gained from that. In short, I am a user and not a critic. I use the work of others for refference.
Reply:I once worked on a corking machine, here in Napa valley , and it was so awful, the ONLY part of it that was "ok" was the name plate. it was made in mexico . the welds all looked like chicken poop. 2 years later, they called me to cut it up with an acetylene torch.[SIZE="5"Yardbird"
Reply:thank god i thought i was the only one that looked at every weld i seeChuckASME Pressure Vessel welder
Reply:Like SANDY, i also used to look at heavy construction equipment . like backhoes, excavators , etc. i always saw a crater at the ends of long seams . (like on a boom of a backhoe) . The factories knew what they were doing. they knew that after it went OUT of warranty , it would break and need repair . A friend of mine worked for a dealer  of (the) major  tractor manufacturer and quit after 2 weeks. the foreman kept pressuring him to SLUG the welds . he refused & quit . -slug  means drop pieces of steel , or nuts and bolts , into a large gap  that needs to be welded up . Then , just weld over the stuff, to save time -and make more profit .  the foreman knew nobody could see or know what was done . I am glad that co. is out of business, was bought out .[SIZE="5"Yardbird"
Reply:You can add the ol' Pentawelder to the roster of weld inspectors!  I'm in the swimming pool service business and check out all the steel fences and handrails I see ... there are so many that the application of an angle grinder would clean up the spatter and blobby welds and the paint is rusting off where the flux isn't cleaned up.My angle grinder is my best friend!
Reply:ME !  ( raises hand )John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:I look at everything too.  All the cheap made furniture at the home improvement places and the cheap trailers at TSC.  I don't understand how someone can go buy a junk trailer at TSC when they could have someone "me", who takes pride in their work, build them one.  You can look and see where that other money is going QUALITY.DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:i guess i need to put a nod in too. every time i walk past a piece of metal, i look to see how it is put together. i check everything from heavy equipment to my pontoon boat. i like Aric, Sandy and Gnewby, walk past some welds and think to myself "dangit, somebody's gonna die from that weld". i have to repair alot of ali boat trailers. seems like they just tack 'em together and away they go. i spent 6 hours repairing my dads trailer. brand new only in the water twice."Retreat hell, were just fighting in the other direction"Miller Trailblazer 302, Extreme 12 VS, Dimension 400, Spectrum 375, HF 251D-1, Milermatic 251 w/ spoolgun  Hypertherm 1000Lincoln sp 1702000 F-450 to haul it
Reply:'bout 30 year ago, i was in moore ,okla. at a trailer dealer , and i looked at a horse trailer , built by some trailer  FACTORY , the gooseneck , the welds were so BAD, that i thought "i'd be afraid to pull it across the STREET !"[SIZE="5"Yardbird"
Reply:Me Too!! I see some of these welds that i wouldn't let go on my personal stuff much less try to sell.CIRCLE STAR "W" WELDING
Reply:Same here, all the time!  Must be some kind of illness or syndrome associated with welding. What do you think,Dr. Smithboy? Maybe a lack of proper beverages during moments of inspection? Man, I'm confused already!!
Reply:Maybe a lack of proper beverages during moments of inspection?
Reply:Yeah Zapster,Anyone interested in bettering them self and trying to gauge their own level of expertise would find this normal to do.I was riding a Chair lift in Tennesse I believe it was at Lookout Mountain about thirty years ago.There were the most God awful welding and patches on the tops of the towers supporting the cable that holds the chairs. Lets just say I became instantly aware of my mortality.Washman
Reply:I go a step further, Zap.  I have to explain to my wife and kids why this one is a good weld and that one is a bad one...or even worse, this was obviously done with a mig welder or a tig welder...see this little thingie or that little other thingie???  My kids look around to see if anyone is watching and try to pretend they don't know me.  All the while, I am just certian they are interested....until, that is, I find myself talking to absolutely nobody...Folks walking by think I am some sad homeless weldor.  I am surprised that they don't toss me pocket change.WILL WELD FOR SCRAPSmithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:I find myself looking at welds when I'm out and about as well. Many of them look fairly poor....sort of like the welder wanted desperately to go home. The worst ones are on railings and fences in public areas......The best welds I've seen lately are on the Japanese and Chinese-made mountain bikes, for example the ones you can see for sale at Wel-Mart. They almost look robotic they are so good.The ones on my two Harley-Davisdon motorcycles are very good. My 1982 Harley was done with stick welding by hand and it's just very, very good. The 2004 Harley that I have is also good but it was done by robotic MIG so it ought to look good. The welds on Honda, Yamaha, Kasasaki, Suzuki and other bikes like the American Victory are also very good. Honda had lots of trouble with the 1800 touring bike frames in the past few years but they stemmed from robotic MIG welds on 7XXX grade aluminum frame sections. They have overcome this problem now and the welds look great. You're right though, there is a lot of bad welding out there.Last edited by gnm109; 07-22-2006 at 09:27 PM.
Reply:I also check 'em out, everyday at work. We are in the final stages of a BIG kitchen renovation($$$$). Weldors, 4/5 on the job everyday, 6 days a week, we are a little behind schedule. Everything I've see these guys do is top notch!Bruce The Welding ChefLincoln Weld-Pack 3200 NORWELD StickStanford Hill Farm
Reply:Hell Yes!! but theme parks scare the **** out of me, worst **** ive ever seen thats why i like wooden coasters and whenever you goto bathroom in public check out the railing welds and I also try to decipher what process was used to create a certain weld, and has anybody on here ever seen the welds on the OCC theme bikes(especially the MILLER ELECTRIC), boy i wouldnt pay them five cent to do any welds for me, remember it is not critisizm(spell) its just practice for when you become a QC or CWILast edited by TiFreak; 07-22-2006 at 10:58 PM.
Reply:Me Too! I haven't been to an amusement park in a long time.Bruce The Welding ChefLincoln Weld-Pack 3200 NORWELD StickStanford Hill Farm
Reply:smithboy my wife and kid's are now weld inspectors thanks to me and my pointing out what is wrong with a weld or how it was doneChuckASME Pressure Vessel welder
Reply:Originally Posted by WashmanYeah Zapster,Anyone interested in bettering them self and trying to gauge their own level of expertise would find this normal to do.I was riding a Chair lift in Tennesse I believe it was at Lookout Mountain about thirty years ago.There were the most God awful welding and patches on the tops of the towers supporting the cable that holds the chairs. Lets just say I became instantly aware of my mortality.WashmanI always look at how other people do thing's And as Zap said sometimes I don't like what I see, But it makes me think when I am doing a job what people who see my work will think of it.Simonhttp://members.optusnet.com.au/~abba/index.html
Reply:I am by far no experienced weldor but I´ll throw my 2 cents.I just came back from the 1/4 mile dragstrip...could you believe that even though that welds on PRO categories chassis cars are PRETTY NICE I am still not satisfied with them about not using filler rod?  (maybe I´m really sick)I find myself guilty too of being an engineer which changes your view of daily life. Can you believe I didn´t launched myself of the bungee jump in Cola de Caballo, in Monterrey México (biggest of latinoamerica I think) cause I was scared at the welds? (yeah...mortality issue present)And about looking welds in everything....Have you guys ever went to a gym?? you´ll be amazed how some stuff is standing over there...What do you think I do when not working out in the gym? Dr. Smith what about 33% of O2 in my blood....33% of CO2...and 33% argon...could this be an issue?
Reply:Hello  I have been looking  at welds, where ever i go. Some I like some I dont, and some just plain scare me.  This malady started when I was in college welding classes, a long time ago.  I dont weld for a living, just for my own pleasure. Seems that when you start looking its difficult to stop.                  I work in the qc department  for a company that makes park and play ground equipment. I see welds all day, I look for quality of powder coating and fabrication. bigest irritation is the pin holes , that the powder coating cant fillin very hard to hide. I figure will be looking at other welders welds and my own until the day i die.
Reply:A inspector at a weld test place in Ca told me once:"A good looking weld isn't always a good weld but a good weld is always a good looking weld."David
Reply:Originally Posted by TiFreakHell Yes!! but theme parks scare the **** out of me, worst **** ive ever seen thats why i like wooden coasters and whenever you goto bathroom in public check out the railing welds and I also try to decipher what process was used to create a certain weld, and has anybody on here ever seen the welds on the OCC theme bikes(especially the MILLER ELECTRIC), boy i wouldnt pay them five cent to do any welds for me, remember it is not critisizm(spell) its just practice for when you become a QC or CWI
Reply:I'm starting to catch myself doing this too. Not for criticism, I'm about a step below a beginner myself. Luckily, my welds aren't safety critical joints, I fix dumpsters. Seeing some of my coworkers welds, I realize I still have a lot to learn.
Reply:Hello, everyone.   I have always rode the rides at fairs and the like until....  I went to welding school and then I started looking.   And now that I have some years under my belt and see what people are like in the work place.   Not in a million years would I ride them again.  Not everyone is the " who cares??  Its only a little weld."
Reply:what about when your at the movies ,there just about to break into the safe using an oxy /acetylene cutter and you turn to the wife /partner and tell them that the flame is wrong and that more oxygen wouldent go wrong,also on progs like american chop etc boring others by saying things like "i wouldent do it like that,yours in a very critical mood   . Marky
Reply:Not being a professional welder I can't really critique others and their welds but that doesn't stop me from looking.    Funny thing about this thread is that yesterday I got caught looking while at a local flea market ( there are worst sins than going to a flea market).     In any event I was looking at the structural components of the bulding when one of the vendors broke me out of my disbelief.    It wasn't that the welds where especially bad rather what was weleded to gether had no business supporting the roof of a building.   Doesn't make you feel comfortable.Of course it isn't always junk that I look at.    In the building where I work they just had some pipefitters in to install large steam and water lines, and another set of fitters to weld stainless process lines.    Let me say that I was impressed.    I can only imagine welding at that level at this point in time.Now I' do focus more on welds than I use to in the past but this is only part of my curiosity.    I'm the type of guy that can go into the ford museum early in the morning and end having to be swept out at closing time.    There is always something to be learnt about machinery and engineering in these places and in the real world.It is not just objects contianing metal either.   Furniture and other objects made of wood often get the visual inspection also.    Problem here is that I can't afford the well constructed stuff and the run of the mill items will never enter my home.ThanksDave
Reply:My Mom purchased this large, tough-looking mailbox from this guy who builds and installs them.  He refers to them as "indestructable".  Mom was so proud that she showed my husband and myself (we are both professional welders).  I opened this mailbox and saw some of the worst looking welds.  There was more porosity than weld metal.  I was disgusted.  My point of view is that if you are going to take the time to lay down some weld, you may as well take to time to do it right.  I find myself in near accidents on the road trying to look at the welds on large equipment that various trucks are hauling down the freeway.  It must be some sort of illness.
Reply:I know what the medicine is.Throw down some nice beads and feel good about yourself =)
Reply:I remember once years ago when my kids were small dragging them crying away from the Ferris Wheel at a carnival because I was looking at the welds while waiting in line and wouldn't let them get on it.  (Meanest Dad Ever)I r 2 a perfessional
Reply:i guess i'm not alone................ us all.....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:Me to I look but for a learning nature to new at welding to judge.Will   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:My girlfriend yells at me now for doing this.  I went off one day about how bad the welds were on every cart-holder in Taget and Wally Worlds parking lot.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterOk boys and girls..Who else is like me...ya know..you look at every weld you see no matter where you are and examine it closly..I look at everything..circus rides..gates..railings..anything and everything..and 9 times outta 10 i dont like what i see... are you as "anal" as i am? ...zap!
Reply:I'm Guilty Too!!!  I'm At Stop  Signs And A Truck  Is Ahead Of  Me And I Tell The  Wife  , Look At  That Weld  ,  And I Say  How Can They  Do  That!!!  She Thinks I'm Nuts !!!
Reply:I'm guilty of it too!!  Not only with welding.  When I was in high school I worked for most of a year as a chrome plater.  I look at things that are chrome plated, and I can tell you, there ain't sh** being sold today that has good chrome plating on it!EdWhen the  drops the  stops!Check out my website at:  Tombstone 180 ACHandler 120Millermatic 210Powermax 380Harris & Victor torchesSawzallChop Saw
Reply:Originally Posted by BigEd36I'm guilty of it too!!  Not only with welding.  When I was in high school I worked for most of a year as a chrome plater.  I look at things that are chrome plated, and I can tell you, there ain't sh** being sold today that has good chrome plating on it!Ed
Reply:I do all the time, but then I am the Weld Supervisor's Arch Ememy, the dreaded Weld Inspector.But, seriously, I agree and I have found that many of these Welds were previously inspected by a CWI, who has not been seasoned or really understands Code.Been doing this for about 35 years, I refuse to align myself with most of the CWIs I run across and have to interpret Code much too often.With the classes that are geared to shove out new inspectors I sometimes fear for the Integrity and Future of the Metal Trades.My speciality is really piping and structural is a piece of cake to inspect.And God Bless the fine structural welders I meet in my travels.Don CIndependent Quality Specialist
Reply:Yeah that's funny I thought I was the only one that did that...It doesn't matter what kind of weld or where I always examine it, my friends are always like.."What are you doing" I just smile and tell them "Nothin"....It's interesting to see how lazy some people can be, especially on heavy steel...Looks like they did away with their grinder and/or got to lazy to get the chippin' hammer so they just made another pass over an unchipped weld.
Reply:I'm guilty too, I have been known to take pics with my camera phone so when I get back to work I can share the ugly welds I see. I have a welder friend who bought a pair of Edelbrock jet coated headers. When he got them he naturally inspected all the welds. The one had spatter everywhere on the inside of the tubes and on the backside of the outside. It was jetcoated over, so there was nothing he could really do. Will you ever see this tiny imperfection?no, Is it going on a perfect show car?no. But he was ready to call Vic Edelbrock himself to complain! I totally understood. I guess that is the curse of seeing your profession done by others. I'm sure it's the same when doctors sit at home and watch House or Greys Anatomy. We could have done better.That's just human nature I guess. Henry
Reply:Our welding instructor took a few of us around the campus and pointed out welds one day.It's scary.... very scary.
Reply:I work for a casino in vegas and you should see some of the shakey welds there, alot of rusted and cracked welds.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterthats nice...i know what you mean as the chrome plating goes..rechromed both bumpers for the wifes car in '02..showing signs now no matter the wax...  now its time to start looking at welds..being a race car driver and all...you've been warned......zap!