Ambidextrious
Ambidextrious
(OP)
I got a call a few minutes ago concerning a welder that qualified welding right handed and was welding on a component left handed. I know I've always had a left handed welder in maintenance for very specific jobs that needed the left hand approach. I have know some welders that could weld with either hand but they always welded with the dominant one, that I knew of.
Has anyone seen any reference to this in any of the codes (US) that addresses this circumstance?
It seems the AI wasn't happy when he saw the welder switch hands on job site welding SS (SMAW). The guy is an outstanding welder and was qualified to weld anything that wasn't moving when he worked for our maintenance company.
Has anyone seen any reference to this in any of the codes (US) that addresses this circumstance?
It seems the AI wasn't happy when he saw the welder switch hands on job site welding SS (SMAW). The guy is an outstanding welder and was qualified to weld anything that wasn't moving when he worked for our maintenance company.





RE: Ambidextrious
CWI # 97100821
RE: Ambidextrious
Neither Section I nor Section VIII, Div.1 provide the Inspector such carte blanche latitude to reject welds made as you have described.
RE: Ambidextrious
RE: Ambidextrious
I knew that I didn't remember seeing anything in codes that pertained to this. Like I stated I knew welders that could weld with both hands but had just never was aware of anyone using this ability. I’m not to enthralled about the gentleman’s approach or to his resolution either. I keep my mouth shut because this is the same shop that is going to rework the vessel that I just posted about in the Ethics Forum. This vessel is for the same company.
I went by the shop to see, I already knew the vessel, the setup where the problem occurred.
The equipment being fabricated was the 20' lg, 25" Dia, 5/8" tk, CS/SS jacket of a tubular reactor. The welding in question was where the SS ends (30"long) of the jacket were being welded to the CS tube center section. The outside of the weld had been capped out and the inside weld was being made by reaching in. So both hands or a righty and lefty welder is needed. The tube wasn't on rollers as another fitter and welder were fitting nozzles on the other end that the same welder had welded the CS/SS seam earlier, probably using both hands.
They brought the X-Ray crew in and shot the first weld, clear as a bell. He wouldn't allow the welder to complete the second weld. As I left they were trying to get a lefty in and or set the tube on rollers as the last resort.
I am on the phone a lot theses days, just talked to the AI for the Owner and he said that he would have no problems with the practice if the welds pass muster. He and I were on the same page as this weld is to be ground flush and smooth and then PT and RT.
RE: Ambidextrious
RE: Ambidextrious
Sounds like a big job,why not have the welder run a simple test plate with his left hand and do bends. The AI does have the right to verify his capability. Would QW-142/191.2.3 apply?
Have you ever seen a welder tack weld with no hood or no filler? Test plates are great for that.
RE: Ambidextrious
I talked to the shop owner this morning to get his take on the event. He and the AI had a meeting which resulted in this issue hopefully being resolved. The AI is asking for a clarification from his office, which will not put in question the work in progress.
The shop owner is thinking about having this welder run a set of coupons with both hands just to have something to fall back on if the question should arise in the future.
I don't have a ready access to QW-142/191.2.3
[/b]deanc[/b],
The only restriction on this particular WPS is that no down hand welding is allowed.
Tacking
One of the better welders I've ever worked with would do this on at least 2 of the tacks before flipping his hood. This was in the days were a land was specified on the weld prep.
I think I've seen about everything that can be done when prepping, tacking or welding. I thought the hand switch might have been something new but was reminded by the welder that I was present when he was making a repair on a sister vessel and had switched hands. He said that I had given him a hard look but didn’t say any thing.
RE: Ambidextrious
Welders----Never say never. They will do something sometimes just because they can and to prove it to others. So run the test plates,I am sure he would love to pass and show them to the AI.
I have been on both sides of the fence here and I love it every time it comes up.
RE: Ambidextrious
Rod
RE: Ambidextrious
Stonecold
RE: Ambidextrious
Stonecold nailed it. The product is the (good and proper) weld, not the process of producing it.
rmw