Anything welding

I still get nervous and fuck up but I just gotta get comfortable with tig now. I found out that I move much slower with the torch in my left hand which causes issues. I need to get more relaxed and move at the same speed on both sides with both hands. But thinks are finally looking up.

 

Your doing much better !! I see Tig welders that can`t weld at all with their off hand or away from the bench.

Then brag how great they are

 

Pontoon boat repairs.

It sucked.

Upside down, in the wind because the boat is too big to fit in the shop.

I would prolly hate it more if I had to TIG weld it.

 

Will you be going on the test cruise to make sure the repairs are good??

Or standing by to launch rescue operations

 

Yeah I told the customer I didn't want paid until it was tested and came to the dock crack free.

 

Anyone have any advice when welding to a pressure vessel? I’ve got to add a 1/4” NPT bung to an air tank. Are there any special processes to follow in order to ensure a leak free weld and not get a catastrophic failure on your hands?

 

You have to have a certification to weld pressure vessels.

I'm sure you will get lots of push back for this job. Air tanks can explode catastrophically if not repaired properly.

With that said, what is your skill level? what style of welding are you planning on using? Does the tank have a working pressure relief valve?

Everyone gets worked up and immediately post pics of compressor tanks that blew up. No one ever points out that those tanks had non functional reliefs and the pressure switches were most likely fused closed.

Me? I'm just going to weld mig weld a pipe coupling to the tank and move on. I'm sure I'm going to get shit just for typing this.

 

First off, it’s for my personal use so I’m not worried about getting sued or repercussions outside of just getting myself hurt. That being said, I’ve been welding for about a solid year now. Will be using a MIG welder. This tank will be used for a maximum of 150 psi.

My plan would be to weld the bung over an existing hole in the tank so it shouldn’t weaken the tank at all or so I think.

The reason I can’t just get an adapter for the hole is due to the fact the tank has all metric fittings there are no fittings available for these tanks.

 

I just went and looked at some of your previous projects. I don't see you having a hard time surface welding a coupler over the existing port. just get one big enough that covers the present one completely.

 

Ok, that’s what I like to hear. Thanks!

 

Been a while since I ran MIG, got to run 2 beads on my buddies fire pit. Travel speed was hella slow apparently.

More shock stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr
More shock stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr

 

I am guessing there is more then one port as long as the heated air can vent out you will be fine.

If your worried you can get it hydro tested

I put weld in pipe fittings in air tanks often with no issues

 

Great that you can recognize what is going on. Regardless, your technique is pretty well spot on.

 

Thank you! Would love a mig if my own one day. But def can tell I ran a slower speed when I look at my buddies bead.

 

Maybe a tad slow like you said but honestly those are damn good welds.

 

Thanks man! I think working with the stick has me moving pretty slow lol but I also knew the material was 3/8" IIRC so I could afford to sink a bunch of heat into it.

 

So here’s what I ended up with. It’s not pretty, but the 3/4” bar stock was all I had thick enough to tap the 1/4” NPT threads in to. Pressurized the tank, and everything seemed leak free.

 

That is why I like Weld in Fittings and keep 1/2" 3/8" and1/4" around they don`t spoil

 

Considering I’ve never needed any weld on air fittings in the past, I’m not going to have a stockpile of them. I will now though.

 

They are weld on pipe fittings work pretty good