It seems I have missed something? At least I hope constructive comments did not get erased
I like to have feedback, as it allows me to improve, and helps me concentrate my efforts in the right direction. As for trolling, I gather it is normal for every board to have a few occasionally. No worries
Asmeix6g, my job is a specialist position, so what do you think I am going to call myself? I have been working long enough that I know there are mostly two types of people: one type has constructive ideas, the other has negative non-constructive criticism no matter what is discussed. I tend to be a positive person, and so I mostly listen to the people that resonate on the same frequency.
I will post some more pictures of joints when I get the time and opportunity, since working hours are getting long recently. The penetration part of your question I can answer right away: while welding, I have learned that you can "feel" so to say the depth you are immersing the electrode into welding pool.
That distance, coupled with adequate amperage, ensures that penetration is about right, and that means as much as you can get without burning holes. I must say that stick is much harder to control in that narrow range then MIG. But it is possible, and it is getting easier with practice. I have made a few cutaways of sample butt welded tubing on the same settings and of the same thickness as used for the grid, and it shows slight melting from the underside (inside of the tubing), as well as discoloration of the metal - and that is also a sign of good penetration. I plan to test it in a lab to see the macro-structure as soon as I can, that ought to be interesting.
And I can say I am always trying to learn more, so that is why I joined here. And no one was born with all the knowledge, I would venture to say. And as welding is my job, I have to learn, and keep ahead. Stick is not my job priority at the moment, but it might became one day, and I want to learn it well before that happens.
And on the other note, I have noticed that you refer to the top welder and specialist as one and the same, when they are not. I can be a good specialist without knowing much more about practice of welding then basics. Why? Because as a specialist, my job is to supervise welders, to make sure that they work up to the standards, to make sure they use correct filler rod or wire, to make sure they use correct shielding gas. Then I have to know material properties for special use steels, as example for hardfacing, I have to know how to calculate base, intermediate and final layers properties. To do that, I have to know a load of material properties, how those material respond to heat, pressure and magnetism. I have to know at which amperage and at which speed is welding best done. I have to know the preheat treatments, I have to know interpass time and temperature for best bonding. I have to know filler materials in detail to select the right one. And, I have to do all that while keeping in check a boat load of ISO standards that have to be in compliance with selected work processes.
Next stage is keeping tabs on material sample selection, making sure they are cut in accordance with standards again, that stringent lab tests are done accordingly, as each test costs my employer a substantial sum. And last, I have to guarantee for results of those processes in lifetime use of finished construction and that is not something I take lightly. Most of them are structural applications, and they need regular maintenance, checks, and repair as needed. Also, I must write maintenance and service recommendations in case a problem develops in normal use.
On the other hand, a top welder might know how to weld much better then me, but he does not need to know any of the design properties that a specialist has to know in detail. A welder has to know how to weld well and how to read and follow instructions. That is different from my job.
Sorry for a lengthy post, but some clarification was needed
I wish to eventually master the practical part too, because I think a welding specialist is not well rounded without practical application of all the theoretical knowledge. Apparently, not everyone agrees with me, as I know a few other specialists who apparently dislike practical part. I want to be well rounded in practice and theory. Now back to those welds...
asmeix6g is off welding somewhere and sharing a hotel with some other welders. One of those other welders happens to be the evil dude asmeix. But they are are different people.
For Specialist - I do appreciate the importance of going for practical welding as well as the theoretical stuff. I do the same in my work.
wozzah figured out who it is and now i know. to be honest i think he would have done it more as a joke than to be trult malicious, never fear though! we are doing a course which involves smoke filled tunnels undergroud in pitch black wearing BA. im sure ill think of something fitting as punishment right people am off to sleep will be on again shortly am sure
I haven't had much time lately, being overworked... Anyway, I work in a industry that does welding production in various areas, sometimes we produce things for shipyards, although that is getting a bit rare lately. So mainly it is production and design of whatever some other industry orders, from small things like benches, chairs, modular on-site movable quarters, up to heavy lifting equipment of large span.
I see that the thread is alive but no one says anything about my welds