Welding Tips and Tricks

Otto Nobedder wrote:Fair enough,

But you'd have caught NO grief if you'd asked, "Have you ever heard of this?" as opposed to announcing how funny you thought this was.

Read the WPS carefully, and (assuming it uses a standard suggested format) there will be a line specific to progression, that specifies "stringer", "weave", or "either". If you've not seen this, I have a PQR/WPS at work with this detail in it I'll share.

This is not a new trade, and there are many ways to skin this cat. Our grandmothers did it during WWII It's easy to assume the way you were taught is the only way, or perhaps the best way. It's better not to assume at all. Someone will show you another way.

Steve S

MSLiechty wrote:Boomer63. Do you teach at OCC?

No .. I am at a college in North Central Indiana. What is OCC??


ML


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Boomer63 wrote:Hi drummerwelder! When I first get my students into my class here at community college, I teach them "hard and fast rules". Then later on, I tell them that it is very likely that where ever they end up working, they will do it differently, so the "hard and fast rules" might get tossed out the window. I also teach: "Do it the way the boss tells you!"

For example ... from day one, I teach the students to manipulate EVERY stringer and weld. You know, Z-Weave, etc. This is one reason I go through all of the joints in each process and test them on each one. When we get to groove welds, I require them to do stringers AND weaves - because you never know what the WPS or the Boss will want! My idea is that if they are taught to manipulate, non-manipulation will be easy. If they are familiar with varied manipulation in all positions, getting a job where a 'new' style of manipulation will be easy. It is MUCH easier for someone who can manipulate the electrode (in ALL processes!!!) to learn new techniques or to adapt to zero manipulation.

When they finally get out into the 'real world' I tell the students that the Boss may say things like: "Is THAT how you do that in school??!!!?? Well, that is SO WRONG! WE DON'T DO THAT HERE! This ain't SCHOOL, this is the REAL WORLD!" Blah, blah, blah. I am trying to teach them to be ADAPTABLE and FLEXIBLE!

Personally, I have been in too many situations where the Boss wants XYZ, and I KNOW I can do it better with MY METHOD of "OPQ" ... LOL ... But I learned to shut up and say, "yes Boss, what ever you want!" As long as it doesn't compromise safety or structure, I am OK with it!

School gives you enough information to get into the work place and embarrass yourself if you run around saying things like: "In my experience ... !" LOL!

I also teach that if some one goes on and joins a trade union, they will teach them to weld THEIR way. Then you do it THEIR WAY! End of story! I think it is important to be adaptable, flexible, willing to change, grow and learn. I didn't start out wanting to be in education. In 2008 I had some accidents and knew it would be a few years before I could go back into the field, so I applied at some community colleges to be a welding instructor, and got hired. (I was not completely without experience teaching! I had done some work at the Apprenticeship Training!) What I didn't realize was how much I love this job! Also, I am inside, out of the cold, and I don't have to go to the bathroom in a little blue plastic house! BUT! If it were not for the fact that, over the 30+ year span of my welding career, I sought out training and employment opportunities to expand my knowledge and skills set, I could not hold this job.

This post is too long! Sorry! Remember this! I also teach the students that the difference between a final year apprentice and a ten-year journeyman is this: If I ask the apprentice if they know the craft, the answer I get back will usually be a confident "OH YEAH! I got this down!" If I ask the ten-year journeyman the same question, they will usually kind of sigh, pause, shake their head and say, "well, no. There is a lot I don't know." The cat with experience knows what he don't know; the noob doesn't.

Good luck!