fuselage welding

[SpruceForest]

I have to think there is some sort of society of welding gas bottle collectors that know all about the proof test stamps and history/interesting anecdotes of the inspectors.

"Ah... yes. That one is a '17 by H. Hildegard... very rare... highly collectable. Apparently young Hildegard lasted only three days on the job. Closed casket funeral... (old man whisper) parts missing, you see. Very sad. Could you possibly part with it? I happen to have a bit set aside and ear-marked for a Hildy should one turn up."

 

[raven007]

Yall got way more strict gas bottle ppl than here.

 

[Boscovius]

OK Bill.

You talked me into it. I pulled the trigger on a O/A setup. Smaller size tanks, size Q oxygen bottle with size WQ acetylene bottle, cart, hoses, and Victor regulators and Victor SKH-7A Brazing Welding Torch Handle W/ SKW0 & SKW2 Tips J28 J27 J Series. I'm going to rebuild the old Victor regulators and maybe replace the dial indicators, but even then, I'll be into this for under $500. Oh yeah, I had to spring for a used Linde acetylene tank wrench. Need to find a pair of flame arresters to put on the lines but all in all, I'd say I have what I need to make progress.

 

[David L. Downey]

OK Bill.

You talked me into it. I pulled the trigger on a O/A setup. Smaller size tanks, size Q oxygen bottle with size WQ acetylene bottle, cart, hoses, and Victor regulators and Victor SKH-7A Brazing Welding Torch Handle W/ SKW0 & SKW2 Tips J28 J27 J Series. I'm going to rebuild the old Victor regulators and maybe replace the dial indicators, but even then, I'll be into this for under $500. Oh yeah, I had to spring for a used Linde acetylene tank wrench. Need to find a pair of flame arresters to put on the lines but all in all, I'd say I have what I need to make progress.

The MECO Tiny Torch was a game changer for me: https://www.tinmantech.com/products/welding/meco-torch-accessories/

 

[Boscovius]

Believe it or not, there was a MECO Tiny torch advertised on Ebay, new with hoses for $450. I was going to order that as soon as I got home from picking up the tanks, hoses, regulator and cart, but someone had already snagged it. I'll be keeping my eye out for one all the same. Looks like a much lighter tool for the job.

 

[coloredcoat]

4130 is fool proof,not damnfool proof,but it is tough and forgiving ,does not "air temper" and get glass hard
and as pointed out countless miles and miles of it were welded by farm boys,competent but disinterested
in anything much to do with welding

Just was reading some 1920-1930s US Army manual that talked about this exact practicality. That 4130 was able to weld very successfully by everyone with very rudimentary tools and skills. Exactly why it is so popular today, I suspect.

 

[Methusala]

My shameful confession. I taught plumbing at a technical college for 11 years. O/A welding was part of the course and I knew all of the theory including safe practice. Could weld nicely sometimes but more often had 'the shakes'. The more I concentrate, usually, the worse the shakes. Sometimes when welding I have to hand over to someone less knowledgeable than I just to get it completed. Not sure anything can be done but just saying not every person is cut out to weld.

 

[David L. Downey]

My shameful confession. I taught plumbing at a technical college for 11 years. O/A welding was part of the course and I knew all of the theory including safe practice. Could weld nicely sometimes but more often had 'the shakes'. The more I concentrate, usually, the worse the shakes. Sometimes when welding I have to hand over to someone less knowledgeable than I just to get it completed. Not sure anything can be done but just saying not every person is cut out to weld.

especially if you have "essential tremor". Then the harder you try to stabilize fine motor actions the more divergent the movements become.

 

[raven007]

I hope yall know you got me trolling for an airliner torch now. I need another torch like a hole in my head. Lol.

 

[Pops]

especially if you have "essential tremor". Then the harder you try to stabilize fine motor actions the more divergent the movements become.

In my 80's and now I have to really be in a relaxed position to not shake. My buddy is about the same age and he still has no problems.

 

[Daleandee]

Just was reading some 1920-1930s US Army manual that talked about this exact practicality. That 4130 was able to weld very successfully by everyone with very rudimentary tools and skills.

I'm kinda banking on that ...

 

[Flatiowa]

Some of the best professional welders I’ve ever met (industrial line workers who weld 50 + hours a week for decades) were functioning alcoholics and had severe shakes while working. Some actually used it to their advantage, and while I don’t recommend it, they had developed a crutch reliance on their tremor to do their job. I personally develop a muscle fatigue tremor after a while when tig welding and have learned to always use a “stead rest”, something/anything to rest my hand on to use the torch like a pencil writing on paper, or atleast a rest for my wrist/lower forearm. It really works wonders to steady out shakes.

 

[Pops]

When welding repairing a coal fired power plant boiler that was running I learned to get in rhythm with the shaking. It helped.

You are correct about he functioning alcoholics. Always use a stead rest if you can. I used to be very steady free handed in any position . Also welding right or left handed. I often switched hands when one got tired or hot.

 

[tonyalto1014]

In my 80's and now I have to really be in a relaxed position to not shake. My buddy is about the same age and he still has no problems.

My problem is more my eyesight nowadays. It is frustrating and it is getting worse not better.

 

[BJC]

BJC

 

[Pops]

My problem is more my eyesight nowadays. It is frustrating and it is getting worse not better.

I have always been nearsighted and had better than 20/20 from my arm length inward, and that really helped in my welding where I could see every detail of the puddle. Then got cataracts on both eyes and operated on. Now I can see a piss-ant on a tree leaf 1/2 a mile away. But now have to wear glasses for anything in arms length even with glasses for close work I still can't see the detail like I used to be able to do. So with that and a shaky hand my welding is not what it used to be. Yes , frustrating.

If you can't see it you can't weld it, same for spray painting.

 

[Daleandee]

BJC

Good to see this video recommended as I've been looking at it and had book marked it a few weeks ago ...

 

[Daleandee]

I have always been nearsighted and had better than 20/20 from my arm length inward, and that really helped in my welding where I could see every detail of the puddle. Then got cataracts on both eyes and operated on. Now I can see a piss-ant on a tree leaf 1/2 a mile away. But now have to wear glasses for anything in arms length even with glasses for close work I still can't see the detail like I used to be able to do. So with that and a shaky hand my welding is not what it used to be. Yes , frustrating.

If you can't see it you can't weld it, same for spray painting.

We are alike in regards to the after effects of cataract surgery. My left eye vision at a distance now is 20/15 (the right is not quite as good). Before the surgery I wore glasses to see at a distance but my near vision was excellent. Now I can see everything until it gets close.

So I used to wear glasses to see most of the time and now I don't. Sometimes now I wonder why I can't see as well as I need to and realize that I have my reading glasses on when I don't need them. In the plane I use sunglasses with 2.0 readers built into the bottom of them. At panel distance I really don't need readers but some of the small items on the GPS can be a bit difficult without them.

I just don't want to have the Chuck Schumer look ...