practice welding question

Since this is the place... A buddy stopped by and we were talking... He said he had a job a long time ago welding at a power plant. He is a steel worker and has done some stick welding. He told me they could not start a weld and then dial it in, so they gave them these blocks. He was guessing they were about 3x5 and about 1" thick. You got a couple good welds on them and then you could start the real weld. He said after you were done you could whack the blocks on the side and welds would fall off so you could use the blocks again. He said he has never seen them since. Ever hear of such a thing???

my step dad when do steel worked work had a test like that . he said it was like welding steel but you did not get any penetration when welding the plates and he said you could use them over he had never seen anything like that before he thought was neat / had to me some special metal of some type

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Originally Posted by Rodsmachineshop

my step dad when do steel worked work had a test like that . he said it was like welding steel but you did not get any penetration when welding the plates and he said you could use them over he had never seen anything like that before he thought was neat / had to me some special metal of some type

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The only material that comes to mind would be carbon or possibly graphite plates..would like to see a set of those plates in action myself...

been surfing internet sure would like to know what there made of , I also had afreind at San Onfre nucular plant they use pipes for test welding that was the same way after welding they x rayed the pipe to see how the weld was . they was reusable to weld on, frank was funny he still works there he rides up and down the cooling pipes on his back wearing a radiation suit and ultra sounding the pipes lol he glows in the dark hahahaha

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Originally Posted by geezer

The only material that comes to mind would be carbon or possibly graphite plates..would like to see a set of those plates in action myself...

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I am thinking carbon or graphite would be brittle to knock around. I would think they would shatter... But I could be wrong... Nice to know someone else has heard of them.

I came across some sites on testing blocks welding but did not say anything about them

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Originally Posted by Rodsmachineshop

I came across some sites on testing blocks welding but did not say anything about them

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I tried doing a search and came up empty... My internet has been screwed lately... Only running for a couple minutes an hour... Nice.... They have got some problem with several channels down.

I can not see how you could visually check if no penetration. And X-ray either. Maybe something to weld and break apart just to get the feel of welding and not so much test the actual welds?

I'll ask my Dad next time I talk to him (worked on cranes and cement plants most of his life and semi trucks).

But I have heard every welding story he has back to 50+ years ago and he never told that one. All the pipe welding (G) tests and certs.

And no doubt the man can weld and only requires a stick welder. I can't get him to take one our units, old school (and older now). But I know he would complain about MIG and never admit he likes the look of TIG.

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Originally Posted by everlastsupport

I can not see how you could visually check if no penetration. And X-ray either. Maybe something to weld and break apart just to get the feel of welding and not so much test the actual welds?

I'll ask my Dad next time I talk to him (worked on cranes and cement plants most of his life and semi trucks).

But I have heard every welding story he has back to 50+ years ago and he never told that one. All the pipe welding (G) tests and certs.

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I am curious. Sounds like it was not to test the welds as much as setting up the welder for it being in the right power range for maybe the rod??, but I do agree it sounds strange. He said it was only used on that one job. Never seen them used since.

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Originally Posted by Brian Ski

I am curious. Sounds like it was not to test the welds as much as setting up the welder for it being in the right power range for maybe the rod??, but I do agree it sounds strange. He said it was only used on that one job. Never seen them used since.

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Yea, that might be it too, setting AMPS, etc. As no too people weld quite the same. Otherwise, you could just put a sticker on the front of the machines with the settings.

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Originally Posted by Rodsmachineshop

been surfing internet sure would like to know what there made of , I also had afreind at San Onfre nucular plant they use pipes for test welding that was the same way after welding they x rayed the pipe to see how the weld was . they was reusable to weld on, frank was funny he still works there he rides up and down the cooling pipes on his back wearing a radiation suit and ultra sounding the pipes lol he glows in the dark hahahaha

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Most power Nuclear Power Plants have welders weld a pipe in the 6G position for welding tests.

At my plant we have the welders perform a TIG root and cap the joint with a few with stick passes. This is performed for both Carbon and Stainless materials and then the samples are x-rayed. Less than 30% of welders pass the test and many of these welders have 20+ years’ experience. Other plants may vary the test, just depends on what their program owner and the Level III inspector set up for the test.

As for radiation suits, there is no such thing as a radiation suit. Most radiation nuclear workers are exposed to go through clothing (Gama Rays). The clothing is used as a cover to keep contamination (activated materials or materials giving off radiation) off of workers. By keeping the contamination off of workers, the spread of contamination is better controlled.

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Originally Posted by DVA

As for radiation suits, there is no such thing as a radiation suit. Most radiation nuclear workers are exposed to go through clothing (Gama Rays). The clothing is used as a cover to keep contamination (activated materials or materials giving off radiation) off of workers. By keeping the contamination off of workers, the spread of contamination is better controlled.

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What do they call this clothing ?

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Originally Posted by zoama585

What do they call this clothing ?

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The clothing typically called PCs (Protective Clothing). Just as someone may wear gloves to keep chemicals off of their hands, PCs are worn to keep contamination off of your own clothing and body. Most Nuclear plants use Orex now days, a clothing that melts down with hot water. This clothing is awesome for disposal issues because it drastically minimizes disposal volume compared to the older cotton clothing.

http://www.orex.com/products-services/

http://www.orex.com/our-technology/

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Originally Posted by Brian Ski

Since this is the place... A buddy stopped by and we were talking... He said he had a job a long time ago welding at a power plant. He is a steel worker and has done some stick welding. He told me they could not start a weld and then dial it in, so they gave them these blocks. He was guessing they were about 3x5 and about 1" thick. You got a couple good welds on them and then you could start the real weld. He said after you were done you could whack the blocks on the side and welds would fall off so you could use the blocks again. He said he has never seen them since. Ever hear of such a thing???

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So, I looked into this and spoke with some weld engineers at work and they have not heard of this. Between the two engineers, they have over 60 years in the nuclear/power plant industry and have not come across this type of test. One of the weld engineers is a Level III inspector and both are heavily involved with welding industry standards. If they have not come across this, chances are, no such block exists.

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Originally Posted by DVA

So, I looked into this and spoke with some weld engineers at work and they have not heard of this. Between the two engineers, they have over 60 years in the nuclear/power plant industry and have not come across this type of test. One of the weld engineers is a Level III inspector and both are heavily involved with welding industry standards. If they have not come across this, chances are, no such block exists.

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Be cool if they did exist. Buy once and practice forever. But then again, if they were truly reusable, you would not be able to test to see how much penetration there was and whether there was any ... ahem ... undercut. :cool:

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Originally Posted by DVA

So, I looked into this and spoke with some weld engineers at work and they have not heard of this. Between the two engineers, they have over 60 years in the nuclear/power plant industry and have not come across this type of test. One of the weld engineers is a Level III inspector and both are heavily involved with welding industry standards. If they have not come across this, chances are, no such block exists.

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Thanks for looking into it. I know the guy pretty well so I believe him. I am wondering if it may have been a trial deal or something that was used for a little and never gained any popularity. He was thinking when he left he should have grabbed one of them.

Quite possibly some sort of copper alloy?

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Originally Posted by performance

Quite possibly some sort of copper alloy?

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Something that conducts electricity, won't melt in the temperature of the arc, and will not adhere to the molten steel of the rod. Quick, someone with a metallurgy background, get in here!

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Originally Posted by DVA

Most power Nuclear Power Plants have welders weld a pipe in the 6G position for welding tests.

At my plant we have the welders perform a TIG root and cap the joint with a few with stick passes. This is performed for both Carbon and Stainless materials and then the samples are x-rayed. Less than 30% of welders pass the test and many of these welders have 20+ years’ experience. Other plants may vary the test, just depends on what their program owner and the Level III inspector set up for the test.

As for radiation suits, there is no such thing as a radiation suit. Most radiation nuclear workers are exposed to go through clothing (Gama Rays). The clothing is used as a cover to keep contamination (activated materials or materials giving off radiation) off of workers. By keeping the contamination off of workers, the spread of contamination is better controlled.

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yep.
yep,
and oh yea, every time I see a movie where they dawn the “Radiation Suits” it kills me. They are basically rain coats.

After the accident in Japan, my own Dad ask me why don’t they just get some of those radiation suits and walk in there.

Had to explain you couldn’t walk around with 3’ of lead strapped to you.

My exwife lol

I would think Carbon speaking of carbon have a cool way to do a engine balance test with pieces of vacuum hose

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Originally Posted by Rodsmachineshop

I would think Carbon speaking of carbon have a cool way to do a engine balance test with pieces of vacuum hose

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Or maybe case hardened iron, with a lot of carbon in the hardened layer? A large block of it would wick away the heat,and case hardening is really hard to get anything to stick to at all. Just thinking like a science fiction writer, I’ve never heard of such a thing.

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Originally Posted by Rodsmachineshop

I would think Carbon speaking of carbon have a cool way to do a engine balance test with pieces of vacuum hose

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Hijack...!

but .. Huh, What? (maybe a new thread?)