Are there "Welding Snobs"?

[HokieEd]

I've always wondered about weather or not there is such thing as a "welding snob." I would define a welding snob as someone who thinks a welding process such as TIG is far superior to other processes. I seem to encounter this attitude among some people who think a TIG weld is the best and if they can do a good TIG they are kings or something. I'm not sure where it seems to come from. Perhaps all those chopper/hot-rod TV shows that always show TIG being performed, and MIG, not as much. It also seems to come from beginners who don't understand that different applications require different welding processes. Any thoughts?

-Eddie

[MicroZone]

There are always people, no matter what you do, that think their way or the way their used to doing things, is the best way - cars, food, guns, welding, electronics, computers, building, etc.

[pulser]

Good point Micro,

Just speaking to the process itself, and not the talking about the welder who is making the weld, imo the TIG process has the potential to create higher quality welds than stick, mig, flux core, and many other processes. The ultimate weld quality is probably achieved by electron beam welding (EBW), since it is done totally clean under high vacuum, and the diameter and power level of the beam is totally precisely controlled.

The right process for the job is what is important. Welding a ulitily trailer may be done with MIG, Flux core, TIG, Stick, Oxyacetylene, etc., but a jet turbine may require TIG or EB, a pipe line may be best done with stick, and for something else MIG may be the best choice.

I've worked with a couple of different types of small, high pressure bottles. One type needed ultimate quality, was stainless steel, and production rates were low, so it was TIG welded. The other had very high quality standards, but was low alloy steel, and needed very high production rates, so it was pulsed spray MIG welded.

[lewray]

Yeah just set back and say to yourself......ok ok whatever when those situations come up.

An old man once told me "If you give a man enough rope he will eventually hang himself"

I believe that means be patient and later on those kind of folks will eventually make a$$s of themselves.

Iv'e been known to find rope all over the house and my shop before

Yeah like Micro says they are all over the place....

[Rick Moran]

I agree with MZ & Pulser. My experience is they all have their particular favorite process and specialties. But for the most part I've found them to be great, down to earth people. The kind that you'd like to sit down and have a beer with (or Iced Tea).

[pulser]

Umm, Beerrrrrrrrr.

[imagineer]

How many threads have you read on this site?

This web forum, (and the other two welding related forums I frequent), is silly with snobs, egomaniacs, self-imposed experts and non-experts in denial just looking to see their user name on screen.

Like MicroZone indicated, post any question on any topic and you will receive a variety of strong opinions. Just look at the nonsense that follows any question pitting Red, Blue, Gray or Yellow against each other.

You are fortunate, there are many very knowledgeable members on this and other sites that can, if they choose, answer just about any questions posed. I added “if they choose” because on occasion you’ll get replies dripping with contempt for you having asked something so simple. For these instances rather than a useful answer, you get an annoying dissertation as to why that person thinks of themselves as superior because they have a certificate of some sort or a bit more gray hair. Their arrogance keeps them from seeing the reality, despite how much they value their own opinion, they are at the moment, completely useless to the person who asked the question.

The trick is to filter through the BS and take from the responses the information that actually answers your question. It doesn’t take long to realize who, in the string of responses, actually knows their stuff. You (speaking to all spark making novices, myself included) can also help yourself out by asking more direct, concise questions.

[zapster]

Should I be in hiding now??

...zap!

[MicroZone]

You're not a snob Zap....you're just damn blunt!

...nothing wrong with that!

[FordBuilderFL]

I met a lot of welding snobs locally, guys who would criticize constantly and never offer any guidance... I find people like that to be annoying in all aspects of life though.

I really havent noticed anyone to be snobbish here, which is why I prefer this board.... And I hope nobody takes any of what I say as seeming to be arrogant or snobbish. Part of the problem with people communicating through forums that dont know each other in person is there is no tone of voice nor body language, and things often can be misconstrued.

I would not think much of the "miller vs lincoln vs esab vs whatever" discussions beyond them being joking around. I hear the same crap in the automotive world... I am into fords, i hang out with a chevy guy, a mopar guy, 2 honda guys... We all just poke at each other back and forth. It is all about what YOU like!

[FordBuilderFL]

Originally Posted by zapster

Should I be in hiding now??

...zap!

The guy who offers to teach others TIG? Very much the opposite of being a welding snob IMHO

Wish I was close enough geographically to even just come watch!

[zapster]

Originally Posted by MicroZone

You're not a snob Zap....you're just damn blunt!

...nothing wrong with that!

Maybe so but "these threads" always seem to be pointing at me..

Yes they are and we all know it..

I can't possibly be a "welding snob"..
A "welding snob" would never tell anything about "how it was done.."

He!!..
I offer free training classes..
Ain't no snob in the world that will do that..

...zap!

[Doug247]

Nah zap we got your back, dont worry. Your Threads are the most detailed and informative out of them all. Your posts are entertaining and show the step by step procedure of what ever you do. The posts i read the most are ones where everyones interested and impressed with your good quaility workmanship. Thank you zap for keeping this place an entertaning wealth of information.

[WelderBoy]

Originally Posted by zapster

Should I be in hiding now??

ha, better you say it than someone else.

[TEK]

[QUOTE=lewray] An old man once told me "If you give a man enough rope he will eventually hang himself
/QUOTE]

The other half of that is " or he'll wrap it around something really pretty and drag it home"

That don't have much to do with the current thread, just thought I'd add it in

[pulser]

Welders, weld techs, and weld engineers tend toward being primadonnas (spelling?), but we deserve to be treated special.

[HokieEd]

Well, I was never intending the original post to be directed to anyone on this board. But since everyone here welds, I'm sure they ARE lurking around. All good points and about what I was expecting on the topic. Most of the posts on this board are VERY helpful and a great resource for all my questions. I've never encountered a snob here. Thanks!

[pipe fitter]

i do have a thought on this subject.if nobody else will mention names i will.for the short time i have been posting on this forum zapster has behaved like a spoiled child,pillorying anyone who may have something to say or perhaps show more skill,ask elvis,a thread i was following with interest stopped ,and little wonder.there is no i in forum zap.you are no gentleman.

[denrep]

Originally Posted by MicroZone

There are always people, no matter what you do, that think their way or the way their used to doing things, is the best...

Eating crow - One or or two small portions, served quietly, seems to be an effective cure for most snob's ails.

[Alan N]

Originally Posted by zapster

He!!..
I offer free training classes..
Ain't no snob in the world that will do that..

...zap!

Sure they will, how else can they feed their egos by demonstrating to the uneducated masses their superior knowledge?

[MicroZone]

Originally Posted by pipe fitter

i do have a thought on this subject.if nobody else will mention names i will.for the short time i have been posting on this forum zapster has behaved like a spoiled child,pillorying anyone who may have something to say or perhaps show more skill,ask elvis,a thread i was following with interest stopped ,and little wonder.there is no i in forum zap.you are no gentleman.

Sorry but Zap doesn't ridicule ANYONE. He is always open and honest whether he knows how to do something...or even if he doesn't.

I will be honest and say I received much feedback from Elvis' thread...and it wasn't good. Most complained it was hard to follow, no organization, went from one process to a mix of several processes. Plainly put - he wasn't teaching anything. Teaching requires a small amount of organization and the skill to make a tutorial flow.

Abliet some good information possibly contained within, it was mostly him thoroughly typing, and I mean thoroughly, whatever was on his mind at the moment.

Sorry.

[jamlit]

Originally Posted by pipe fitter

i do have a thought on this subject.if nobody else will mention names i will.for the short time i have been posting on this forum zapster has behaved like a spoiled child,pillorying anyone who may have something to say or perhaps show more skill,ask elvis,a thread i was following with interest stopped ,and little wonder.there is no i in forum zap.you are no gentleman.

I think you may be misreading things here. Several of us have our own personallities that differ from others. This can be hard to see on the net as someone posted above that their are several factors that can not be related on the forums or chat rooms. I read through some of elvis's thread and thought that I would be better off reading a book. I think elvis intentions were good but the content was confusing and jumped around a lot. He might be a great welder but a teacher hes not. plus you will always get some sort of conflict between welders over some processes. Its the group of different welders here that make this site so good. If we were all the same than it wouldn't be any fun and we wouldn't bother with it. its the clashing and chewing over welders, processes and ideas here that new and better ideas form and people learn from. I have only been here 7 or 8 months and I think I am the bette for it. I have learned much, added good and bad things, mostly good I hope, and made some good friends here.

remember without all of the colors, no rainbow.

[zapster]

Originally Posted by pipe fitter

i do have a thought on this subject.if nobody else will mention names i will.for the short time i have been posting on this forum zapster has behaved like a spoiled child,pillorying anyone who may have something to say or perhaps show more skill,ask elvis,a thread i was following with interest stopped ,and little wonder.there is no i in forum zap.you are no gentleman.

I still like you anywayz..

...zap!

[gnm109]

TIG, MIG, Stick, O-A, all have their place in the scheme of things. TIG does a very nice job but it's way too slow for large production companies.

The real welder knows and understands the place of each process and treats others with respect when discussing said issues.

Otherwise, they are just

[lewray]

Zap.... Dammmit I will have to cancel my class with you because of your bad behavior ..... you have been a bad boy.. even though you were so willing to fit my schedule and leave Mrs. Zap at home on her B-day on that Sat. BBWWAAHHHAAA!!!!

You bad man BBAAHAAA!!!

Good grief

Can I be the vinegar rib snob?


....Lew Ray