240 THE APPLICATION OF ELECTRIC WELDING 



The art or trade of welding is possibly divided into two general classifications — that is, 

 reproduction work of some simple operation, such, for example, as a flue welder in a boiler 

 shop. The other classification is what is known as a general all-round welder who is com- 

 petent to do any work from filling blow-holes in castings to thin metal overhead welding. 

 Under the first classification it is rather easy for a man to l>ecome expert, and he need not 

 be of as high a type of workman as the second class. Many women at the present time 

 are very successful welders on reproduction work, although at present I do not know of any 

 who might be termed general all-round welders, but assume that some will be developed in 

 the future. The all-round welder, in order to be successful, must have a thorough, rigid 

 training, starting with the simplest of all welding operations, striking the arc and laying 

 down metal on a flat surface; from that to joining pieces, filling blow-holes, building up 

 parts, to vertical weld, horizontal weld, overhead welding, welding in difficult places with 

 very long electrode, and he must beconne proficient in all of these exercises before he is com- 

 petent to do important productive work. To become an all-round welder he must develop 

 that peculiar sense of intuition which satisfies him that, as his work progresses, he knows 

 he is making a good weld. 



It must be borne in mind that the mask which it is necessary to wear obstructs his vision 

 to a great extent. One of the final tests which a proficient welder can pass is making a 

 good weld blindfolded. I do not say that this is necessary, but simply state the fact that 

 a number of excellent all-round welders who have come under my observation are able to 

 do it, as they say, by the feel and sound. 



In conclusion I would urge on any member who is contemplating the installation of the 

 arc-welding proposition, or who has an installation he feels he is not getting the best results 

 from, that the first thing he should do is to pick the necessary number of clean, energetic 

 young men, and make use of one of the many training schools for welders. I would also 

 urge that in doing this he be not discouraged if it takes two months or more to make his man 

 proficient. After all when you consider that this is a trade or an art which, when properly 

 applied, is a great benefit as a time saver and a cost reducer, even six months would not be 

 unreasonable to expect a man to take to become proficient, although two or three months 

 should be ample. 



I wish you also to bear in mind that any one can bum up electrodes, that it is no trick 

 whatever to deposit metal, but that to make welds which can be relied upon is an accom- 

 plishment which must be considered on a par with many other skilled trades. 



W. E. Symons, Visitor (Communicated: — Owing to the late receipt of the advance copy 

 of paper on electric welding and the fact that a previotis engagement prevents my attendance at 

 the meeting, I have only been able to make a few hurried remarks. The paper is a valuable 

 addition to engineering literature and will be of much assistance to the practical mechanic. 



I fully agree with the author as to testing welds as outlined on pages 205, 210 and 

 211, and also as a firm believer in the rigid system of joining plates, and that the system 

 of depositing metal outlined by Naval Constructor H. G. Knox, and recommended by the 

 author, if followed, will insure against defective welds and welding. 



I am in full accord with Lloyd's policy in their attitude toward electric welding on 

 ships and ship machinery, and their requirements as to high-grade supervision and competent 

 welders on the work, referred to on pages 213, 214 and 220. The suggestion tO' use disabled 

 soldiers and women on this work is a good one. 



