Do you guys ever notice the work of other weldors?

[skywest]

Like when I'm standing next to a tow truck and see what looks like stick welds on the frame - some are uniform and others look nasty. Like there was two different guys working side by side. One obviously more skilled, or one just hungover.

Or a stainless stair railing in an office building. The TIG beads look perfect. Or they don't! I saw an aluminum ramp/walkway that had just plain messy joints on every weld. I wonder who is responsible for that passing inspection and being sold to the public. I know mass production is what it is, but yikes!!!

Ever since I picked up this crazy hobby I've been noticing things that are invisible to the general public. Am I the only one who does this welding voyeurism?

[schwinn68]

HAHA everytime I go somewhere I notice the welds. It's a habit you'll never break

[lugweld]

Its like I have a mega Zoom lens on my eyeballs...I can see a bad weld from 30 feet away.

[mla2ofus]

Weldors looking at others welds are like women looking at other women's clothes.
---------" well, it looks OK, but I think mine looks better". LOL!!!!!
Mike

[El_Lloydeo]

I was in Gatlinburg Tennessee a few years ago and got on this thing and was scared to death once we got to the first support pipe on the ride. This thing was barely being held together! But I rode it back down to get off of that mountain haha

[DesertRider33]

I'm always noticing welds and other metal working processes on stuff. I think it's been ingrained in me since I was a kid to notice stuff like that. I'll probly notice the welds on the hospital bed before I die too, if I go that way. LOL

[DesertRider33]

Sorry, double post.

[tanglediver]

Too funny!
"Hey Doc, is that hypo 316 surgical stainless?"

[FluxThis]

Originally Posted by schwinn68

HAHA everytime I go somewhere I notice the welds. It's a habit you'll never break

I second that one.. You guys should see some of the scary $hit work that is done down here!! Next time I'm out and some something I'll try to take a pic with the trusty cell phone camera..

[partagas]

I always look, but one day with out even realizing it. I was running my finger over a weld ( tig ) and my wife asked me if I was checking out the weld.

I looked at her and said no..... she knew I was lying....

[Craig in Denver]

I've been taking weld classes since I retired from a desk job, two years ago; because I'm not good enough FOR ME.

[48willys]

I've done it, seen some scary stuff and wondered how the heck has that held as long as it has. Also seen some and said man wish I could do that LOL!

[Supe]

I was having blood drawn once, and the woman thought I passed out because I started leaning forward. In a panic she asked "SIR, ARE YOU OK? STAY WITH ME." I laughed, said I was fine, but that the welds on the base of the chair were terrible.

I have to say though, some of the most consistently good welds I've seen from a visual standpoint are on roller coasters. You can always pick out which ones were the field welds, and those guys do a pretty damn good job on both pipe and plate.

[Nitesky]

Originally Posted by Craig in Denver

I've been taking weld classes since I retired from a desk job, two years ago; because I'm not good enough FOR ME.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I am my own toughest critic.

Since I started as a Millwright apprentice in 1973 I have been studying how things are built, re-inforced and welded. Must be an addiction of some sort.
Do it to my own welds too, even the old ones.

I need help

[lugweld]

Desert,

I have been in the doctor's office and noticed the medical equipment welds...Anything to do while I wait 2 hours.

[weldbead]

ive been managing mechanical construction for 35 years... cant go into a friends house withoutlooking at pipes in the basement, etc.. every where i go... now its welds too...

[weldrwomn]

I know I am beyond help because I try to look at the welds on trucks while driving down the freeway. I have neraly been in several accidents b/c of doing this.

[Nitesky]

This is a more serious affliction than I thought

[MoonRise]

+1

Not nearly as bad as weldrwomn says she is though. Thank goodness.

I notice spatter, porosity, end craters, poor toe fusion, pigeon-poop, etc, etc. Sometimes you wonder what is holding the thing together.

[DesertRider33]

Originally Posted by weldrwomn

I know I am beyond help because I try to look at the welds on trucks while driving down the freeway. I have neraly been in several accidents b/c of doing this.

I do the same thing... when I'm in the passenger seat, or stopped at a light. If you're running around southern California, I'll do my best to avoid driving near you if there are trucks with exposed welds on the road.

I find dirt haulers, garbage trucks and lowboys are the most interesting to look at.

[DesertRider33]

Originally Posted by lugweld

Desert,

I have been in the doctor's office and noticed the medical equipment welds...Anything to do while I wait 2 hours.

Medical and food service/packaging equipment usually have some really pretty welds. I can stare at them for hours and not be bored.

[skywest]

Ok I feel much better now. I'm out of the closet. Is there a support group?

[Supe]

Originally Posted by skywest

Ok I feel much better now. I'm out of the closet. Is there a support group?

No. None of us admit it's an actual problem.

[specter]

Well looks like we're all guilty of judging others welds. I have seen some trailer hitchs on trucks that make you wonder why the hitch never broke off the truck. Then I have seen some commercial welds that made me wish I could weld like that and later found out a factory robot did it.

[metalmeltr]

i often find myself feel ing the welds on the underside of my desk at school last year a chai broke at the weld and I kept looking at it to see what went wrong i thinl it was work hardening