Old timer told me to quit grinding my welds flush

Was working a shutdown last month at a chemical plant in Baton Rouge. A 30 year veteran walked up and said all my TIG welds looked like garbage because I was grinding them down. He showed me how stacking consistent dimes means zero grinding and actually a stronger joint. Switched to a 3/32 filler rod on my stainless and started keeping my arc tighter. Anyone else been told to completely change their technique by some crusty old hand?

3 comments

3 Comments

green.noah4d ago

Man that's rough but honestly the old timer was probably right. I've been there too where some veteran just shuts down your whole approach and it stings at first. But once you see the difference in the weld strength it makes sense.

brooket434d ago

Man I dunno, it's welding not brain surgery. Like yeah sure technique matters but some of those old guys act like you're insulting their whole career if you try something different. Half the time it's just preference anyway.

phoenix_martin404d ago

better weld strength is the part that changes your mind. Hard to argue with results.