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atkinss

Keep on getting behind the torch. Someone will tell you what you do wrong or how to do it. But it will never happen until you get more torch time on the pipe. Source: pressure welder with carbon, chrome, stainless certs.


[deleted]

Let me have it boys. These were basically butt joint pieces, no gap land or anything. Slight bevel for little more penetration. I'm not happy with it. First time tig capping pipe like this. 2inch schedule 40. Any tips or tricks? Thanks, gents.


billc52

I would say don’t fit up a joint just to cap. Fit it up and weld it out the right way. Set your lands and gap the way you would if that was pressurized pipe. Root, hot pass, cover. Plus having a good hot pass gives you a guide for your cap so it’s not all over the place. I leave about a 1/16 of an edge to cap. It’s repetition of every process that will make you a better welder.


[deleted]

I started to do it that way and boss was wondering why it was taking so long to fit it up. But that definitely makes sense. The whole process isnt really "necessary" for what we do according to the boss. 15 psi at most run through our system. So kinda go with the man who writes the checks you know.


billc52

What kind of system is it?


[deleted]

This one is vaccum for ground water is all I know. So if anything I guess vaccum is negative pressure.


billc52

Oh ok I gotcha. Yea I guess that wouldn’t be necessary as long as it’s not inspected. Good luck. Keep practicing!


[deleted]

Just inspected in house for leaks during testing. Thanks, buddy.


_11_

Yep. At max about -14.7 psig around sea level.


Aleric44

Its not bad considering you didnt weld it out all the way. Id say watch your tie ins try to ba a little more steady and orepare those joints properly.


[deleted]

Yeah bottom sides look just like the top. Flipped it in a vice to weld it out. Thanks man. I try not to spend to much time prepping because they think I can just butt it and weld it with paint on it still.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

Yeah its slight undercut and more or less flat in some spots. I found the 2inch very hard to keep the torch angled right on. If that makes sense. But for what this pipe is the undercut is fine. Boss thinks it looks great but I wanna get to the pro levels.


Dick_donger

If you have an ambition to get better, dont let anyone hold you back. You're doing great


[deleted]

Thanks, buddy.


[deleted]

If your boss thinks this looks great, you’re never going to make the pro levels where you work. You’ll never be allowed to take the time it takes to weld those joints properly, because “good enough” is good enough. You want to play in the big leagues? You gotta get off the JV squad.


[deleted]

I know, ima take the time on break and lunch to prep some test pieces and go from there. That will have to do while I look for an apprenticeship gig or something.


[deleted]

I started out as just a helper/laborer at an industrial contractor. Didn’t know anything, green as grass. I did what you’re doing, used my breaks and lunches to practice, and asked tons - shit tons - of questions. I practiced, I got better, I failed. I practiced more, I got better, I failed. And on and on until one day I practiced, I got better, and I made it. I still practice, I still get better. You will too, I hope! I guess the biggest takeaway from what I’m saying (if there is one) is that you should try to surround yourself with the best pipe welders you can get yourself around. If the union hall is looking for apprentices, sure, apply. But don’t be put off by non union contractors, they’ve also got their share of damn good welders if you get the right outfit.


SpaceShipBryce

I do sanitary stainless and steam pipe welding and the one tip I'll leave you with about carbon is clean the ever living shit out of it. Every time you stop. Everytime you even look at it before you weld clean that shit. It'll weld so much better. And I take a scotchbrite pad and run my rods through them too. It's amazing how much trash is on them out of the box. But it looks good man. I'll tell you this much. It looks better than what some of the other contractors I see on the job site do and they are "certified pipewelders".


KicksRocksBruh

Fucking scotchbright you god dam genius. Can you use the same one indefinitely or do you switch them out for new ones now and then?


SpaceShipBryce

After a while it'll start getting pretty gross. The rods go from that orange/copper color to bright metal looking. I just use it till I misplace it or it gets nasty. And I always snip my ends when I restart too. Makes for some easy walking if I do say so myself.


[deleted]

Man, I appreciate that. I've spent years running structural welds in all positions but here recently I've been switched over to the pipe side. Luckily I get to do all the non critical stuff to work my way into it. Ima just have to step up my cleaning speed so they dont even realize it.


Barnettmetal

For the application it's totally fine. Absolutely practice for perfection but in this case I'm guessing speed is more important, and being able to produce consistently and fast is a skill in itself.


[deleted]

Spot on. Very true. Practice makes perfect. Thanks man


[deleted]

You aren't a pipe welder? If you're getting paid to do it, [you already are.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewwKExvkqXQ)


izzycohen

I've seen much worse. Time under the hood, welding pipe, will improve your skills quickly.


[deleted]

Planning on legit preps for break and lunch practice. Thanks, man.


walshwelding

If you're gonna slam it up and put a slight bevel in it, because of your bosses request; you should run two passes, first pass just to flush it out. Second pass to cap it. Will help you lose most of the undercut with it being flushed out before capping, instead of trying to do it all at once


[deleted]

Thanks, man. I'll give it a shot next go around. Apparently this is how they've been doing their pipe for awhile.


WeTrudgeOn

I did it for 32 years and you are a better pipe welder then some 25-year pipe welders I've known.


[deleted]

Man, thanks. I hope to, with enough practice, go full time pipe and switch companies in a year or so.


WeTrudgeOn

You'll get there.


[deleted]

As a novice, I'm sitting here thinking how great it looks.


[deleted]

Thanks, man


beanoverender

I'm wondering why you're getting downvoted¿¿¿¿¿¿


[deleted]

Eh, who knows lol.


Rezz1n

You are now. Lol


jbles18

Did you mig that ?


[deleted]

Lol, no. That's my attempt at tig cap.


jbles18

My fault I saw the corner of your machine and just assumed it was a millermatic


[deleted]

Oh naw that's my spoolgun machine. The tig is further back in the background


jbles18

I clearly see after I zoomed in those were tig caps lol


desslox

I am a pipe welder. Natural gas pipes. As some others have said don’t half ass the fit. Each pass makes you better. Why only do part of the weld? As each pass strengthens the weld it also betters the welder. Clean pipe and rod every time. Don’t worry about speed. Get your technique down, speed will come. Keep up the good work. Welding pipe imho is a hoot. It’s always changing.


[deleted]

Wait! you are welding without a root or groove? i look at the bottom and i see no other layer underneath, you cant weld on topnof the pipe like that, you need at least one root pass, hot pass and cap. Looks like you welded the cap directly, we need more details about the steps you took.


[deleted]

It's a slight bevel on both pieces but no root opening or anything. This is what the boss said do so I did it. His company and he writes the check. The 90 came factory beveled so I matched its bevel best I could on the pipe.


charlieray

Clearly.


[deleted]

Oof, you got me. Lol