Welding Resume

[TerapinChef]

Because I can't find it anywhere, and I know I saw it somewhere...
I'm looking for a list of things that I should be asking any local welder about before he works on my kegs. Can you do this, will you do this, etc.
This is what I have so far.

TIG
Backgas/Flux
sanitary welds (not sure if they're neccesary though..)


Help me out, you crazy junkyard wars addicted metalheads!

 

[Bobby_M]

TIG is a given and if you want it to be purdy inside and out, he's gonna need to backgas or use flux. I recall pedalbiker mentioning a gas saving trick of taping a foil pouch to the back side of the weld to hold the protective gas. What are they using these days? argon, co2?

The guy I got to do my kegs did neither and yes, there's a little sugaring going on. However, these don't need to be sanitary because they are not cold sanitized for fermenting in. By the time a 60 minute boil is over, there's not an organism on earth that can survive that beating.

 

[TommyBoy]

By the time a 60 minute boil is over, there's not an organism on earth that can survive that beating.

Thermophilic bacteria live in boiling water.

 

[giligson]

Thermophilic bacteria live in boiling water.

Yes but they die in cold beer.

 

[billtzk]

100% argon gas is normally used for SS welding.

 

[BlindLemonLars]

These guys thrive in water over 800°C. But if you've got them growing in your keggle, you've got bigger things to worry about than welds!

 

[Bobby_M]

As soon as I posted that, I knew someone would bring up the organisms that live in the volcanic vents at the bottom of the ocean.

 

[sjvicker]

These guys thrive in water over 800°C. But if you've got them growing in your keggle, you've got bigger things to worry about than welds!

and in enough pressure to implode a few cornies.

 

[BuffaloSabresBrewer]

As soon as I posted that, I knew someone would bring up the organisms that live in the volcanic vents at the bottom of the ocean.

Im surprised it took that long.

 

[Jaybird]

TIG
Backgas/Flux
sanitary welds (not sure if they're neccesary though..)

You probably won’t find anyone that can weld a "sanitary" weld if you do more power to ya
If they can TIG weld stainless without porosity this is a must.
Back gas is a better method than flux IMHO
Ask them to see some of their welds on stainless if their good they will love to brag a bit.
Just let them know this is for making beer and you want to keep all the welds as good as they can. If their a PRO they know what your up against and will be more than willing to hook you up.
Cheers
JJ

 

[BrewBeemer]

My friend at 62 is a stainless only person 90% marine work as he is on the water in Oakland across from Alameda that does boat railings and many custom one off projects. When done all pipe joints, mounting plates, rope eyes look as one piece of polished chrome. Flawless welds no filler weld ripples. The Chip Foose of stainless and fab work bar none. I'm proud to have him as a friend, just need to watch him weld SS and get some pointers.
He has many custom made bending machines for his trade. I asked about Tri-Mix for stainless, he only uses straight Argon gas. His workhorse is a Miller Synchrowave 250 with 10's of thousands of weld time hours on it. Other welders everywhere.
Like posted above see the welders past welding projects first then his price, if both are good keep him as your welder.

 

[tua022012]

Hi,

Thanks very much for this comment. It help me to think about my ideals.

Tks again and pls keep posting.

 

[SpikeBrewing]

TIG
Backgas/Flux
sanitary welds (not sure if they're neccesary though..)

Ask how often they weld stainless. It is a completely different beast than carbon steel. Cut the top off and have them practice welding a coupler on that. Hire based on the weld.

All sanitary welding means is that the back of the weld was back purged with Argon. It's not necassary in our brewing application (unless you will be fermenting in the vessel) and will cost 2-3 times more (time).

All the fluxs I've come across are not recommended for food use.

You'll get the best weld if the coupler and keg have the smallest gap between them. It will reduce the 'sugaring' (ugly looking backside weld) that happens when welding stainless. You can take a wire brush to the back or a grinding wheel to clean up the weld.