Testing your welds !!

[hyperbodger]

Yes, tig welding is definitely a slow process! Had I know more when I started I probably would have gone with mig. However, I've been coded in tig now and have got the equipment. I just wondered why most people use mig - now I know! Must say though I'm a bit surprised that there aren't some weld tests in the IVA for self builds given the current state of Health And Safety legislation.

[Bonzo]

Originally Posted by hyperbodger

Must say though I'm a bit surprised that there aren't some weld tests in the IVA for self builds given the current state of Health And Safety legislation.

I guess that the introduction of such a scheme would be unworkable.

A typical welders coding certificate will only be valid for 12 months, unless they are working in a Lloyds certified establishment, then your employer may be able to certify your work until it is time to renew them ( 3 yearly in my day & for my particular set codes )

Then there will be the training aspect of the IVA testers, doubtless that would lead to a huge increase in test fees.

To the trained eye, a good visual inspection will only serve to tell if something is obviously seriously wrong with a particular weld.
Porosity, undercut & poor fusion ( by looking at the heat affected zone ) to name a few.

A visual inspection is very limited once the weld has been subjected to a few layers of paint ( read more or less, worthless )

The last big company I worked for had over 20 welders working on industrial chassis manufacturing amongst other things.
The vast majority of these welders had had no formal training or ever held the most Basic BS4872 coding.
Dragged into a welding booth from other parts of the factory & given a few days training form a more senior welder ( Ironically, one that had never had any formal training )

This seems to be quite normal in the general fabrication industry.

My advice, plenty of practice, plenty of destructive testing & it will soon be second nature to know when a weld is good

[alga]

Just bumped into a funniest and scariest at the same time video on welding technique I've ever seen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us7VDZT-NcQ

[Davey]

Originally Posted by alga

Just bumped into a funniest and scariest at the same time video on welding technique I've ever seen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us7VDZT-NcQ

Strewth, that's a lesson in everything you can get wrong I reckon!

D.

[CTWV50]

Originally Posted by alga

Just bumped into a funniest and scariest at the same time video on welding technique I've ever seen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us7VDZT-NcQ

WTF was that!! Ahahha an awful weld with no real info on producing a decent weld and I am certainly no expert!!

[ayjay]

The scary thing is I think he was serious

[Toyotus]

The scariest thing is that looked like the start of the most dangerous trailer hitch/stinger ever!

[MarkB]

I'm the one who will upset the apple cart and say if you are not an experienced welder, (note I never mentioned qualified as that's just a piece of paper!!) then you shouldn't be making a car chassis as your first project.

[flyerncle]

Should have gone in the bucket at birth !

[Numplumb]

Great information Bonso don't know if I should be posting hear or not sorry if wrong place but hear goes, I need advice on what to purchase I have seen a Sealey Mightymig 150a gas/gasless welder for sale in the price range I feel is okay for me around £200 does anyone have an opinion on this welder or any better ones around this price please.