Proj #2 SeanMurphy265 Storm Shelter Repair, Dec 3 contest

[DaveO]

I made 3-4 passes until it quit leaking. I have never welded on anything that was leaking while I was actually welding.

I was hoping someone would comment on welding on wet metal... it seems like the water would flash to steam or its component oxygen and hydrogen, and cause problems in the weld. Is that a concern?

It's a little annoying to have the government pick up the tab for the guy's poor installation. A foot of water on the top is a heavy load, probably compromising the safety of the structure!

Edit, a few minutes later: can't be too much problem welding on wet metal, because it calls into question the whole science of underwater welding.

[SeanMurphy265]

Someone else would be better to explain this than me, but this is what I understand. I worked for a family owned equipment/machine shop/fab shop. We built a lot of fire trucks for volunteer fire departments. Volunteer fire departments are always needing money, and are always counting their pennies! A gas company gave a local VFD an old tanker bed they used on their 10wheeler delivery trucks. The VFD raised the money and purchased a nice used truck. We took the gas tanker and mounted it on the truck, ran all the pipe, and made it into a fire truck. Because this truck was holding 3500 gallons of water I had to weld everything up with 7018. I asked why could I not mig welder up? I was told purosity and that it will leak eventually if not sooner. By the way these shelters are over $5,000.00. It's basicly 5 5x10 sheets of 11 gauge steel.

[geezer]

I was hoping someone would comment on welding on wet metal... it seems like the water would flash to steam or its component oxygen and hydrogen, and cause problems in the weld. Is that a concern?

It's a little annoying to have the government pick up the tab for the guy's poor installation. A foot of water on the top is a heavy load, probably compromising the safety of the structure!

Edit, a few minutes later: can't be too much problem welding on wet metal, because it calls into question the whole science of underwater welding.

Hi DaveO, interesting you should mention the water on top and the structural loading, (kinda things I dealt with from time to time),,If I remember correctly dirt is heavier than water, so ,,,in order to regrade the surface more dirt may have to be applied which may offset the unloading of the water...not to say water on top is good,,,but there are no free lunches in that senario,,,I agree paying money for a poor installation is a waste,,,however when this fellow and his family are huddled inside when the wind is blowing,,,,the cost and value topic isn't gonna be the subject of the day,,,,these things are a good investment and in some areas they should almost be mandatory......