The importance of a good weld goes far deeper than just good looks; on Navy vessels, a good weld can throughly impact a ship’s overall lifespan.
Some ships built on Coast flawed, Navy says
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS • JANUARY 25, 2010
NEW ORLEANS — The Navy says numerous welds may be bad on warships built in the past two years by Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding at Gulf Coast shipyards.
(File photo/The Associated Press)
Since last summer, engineers have been inspecting Northrop Grumman-built warships after engineers found that between 10 percent and 15 percent of pipe welds inside vessels built at the shipyards in Pascagoula and Avondale, La., were not thick enough and could shorten a vessel’s life-span, the Navy said.
“We’re talking about thousands and thousands of welds to inspect, and we’re probably talking about hundreds of welds that need to be fixed on each ship,” said Jay Stefany, the Navy’s program manager for the LPD 17 amphibious assault ships.
The Navy said faulty pipe welds were found on destroyers, LPD assault ships and on one LHD big-deck amphibious assault ship. All were built at Northrop Grumman’s Avondale and Pascagoula shipyards.
Precision Ground Tungsten Electrodes Minimize Production Variables
Maximize your welding operations by using the best performing tungsten electrodes available! Consistent finish, exceptional quality electrodes that meet or exceed ISO 6848 and AWS A5.12 standards.
Our precision CNC pre-ground electrodes will let you enjoy enhanced weld quality and consistency. Precision ground — or — polished to your specifications — never worry again about inconsistent tungsten electrodes. Arc-Zone.com® delivers pre-ground electrodes for your orbital and “high-purity” automated applications, mechanized TIG welding, micro TIG welding, and plasma arc welding applications.
We stock pre-ground tungsten electrodes for Weldcraft® WP-125 (MT-125) and WP-50 Micro TIG torches, and for your Thermal Dynamics® Plasma Arc Welding Torches. Ready for immediate delivery — We can work with you to schedule deliveries based on your production demands.
Precise… Maintain specified electrode geometry for precise welds.
Efficient… Use our pre-ground electrodes to eliminate the maintenance and repair of dedicated tungsten grinding equipment.
Safe… Our pre-ground electrodes help you Improve safety and eliminate electrode grinding hazards.
Cost-effective… Save time and money because there’s no need to stock bulk-quantities of expensive electrodes.
Ordering Options
Use your welding equipment manufacturer’s part number (if available)
Complete form (below) specifying, material type, length, diameter, grind angle, tip flat and finish.
If you are not sure what you need, or if you would like us to make a recommendation — take a moment to describe your welding equipment and application in the field below. Based on that information an Arc-Zone.com Plasma Arc Welding Specialist will provide you with a electrode solution engineered to improve your weld quality and productivity.
Note: Our pre-ground electrodes are produced on precision CNC grinding machines. To cover our set-up costs, we require a 50 Piece Minimum Order.
When you’re welding in a production environment, you want to make sure you minimize your production variables. And as great as some of the grinders we have are (we do have the most comprehensive line up of tungsten grinders in the industry) precision, pre-ground tungsten electrodes are definitely the way to go. With a pre-ground tungsten electrode you’ll maximize your TIG or Plasma Arc Welding operations. Pre-grounds offer consistent finish, and a precision repeatability you’ll not find with a benchtop grinder.
We stock pre-ground tungsten electrodes for Weldcraft® WP-125 (MT-125) and WP-50 Micro TIG torches, and for your Thermal Dynamics® Plasma Arc Welding Torches. Ready for immediate delivery — We can work with you to schedule deliveries based on your production demands.
Precise… Maintain specified electrode geometry for precise welds.
Efficient… Use our pre-ground electrodes to eliminate the maintenance and repair of dedicated tungsten grinding equipment.
Safe… Our pre-ground electrodes help you Improve safety and eliminate electrode grinding hazards.
Cost-effective… Save time and money because there’s no need to stock bulk-quantities of expensive electrodes.
Ordering Options
Use your welding equipment manufacturer’s part number (if available)
Complete form (below) specifying, material type, length, diameter, grind angle, tip flat and finish.
If you are not sure what you need, or if you would like us to make a recommendation — take a moment to describe your welding equipment and application in the field below. Based on that information an Arc-Zone.com Plasma Arc Welding Specialist will provide you with a electrode solution engineered to improve your weld quality and productivity.
Note: Our pre-ground electrodes are produced on precision CNC grinding machines. To cover our set-up costs, we require a 50 Piece Minimum Order.
Jerry Fuhriman is known throughout the valley for his watercolors and oil paintings, but tonight people will get to see another side of the Providence artist.
A handful of Fuhriman’s newly created metal sculptures will be on display during the downtown Gallery Walk tonight at Fuhriman’s Framing & Fine Art, one of 12 businesses displaying artwork or hosting live music.
But for those who have visited Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City recently, the artwork will look familiar.
Dubbed “Missy’s Rocket,” a 10-foot stainless steel rocket created by Fuhriman and Arthur Taylor of Hyde Park is on display in the symphony hall’s plaza. Like “Missy,” all of Fuhriman’s work on display tonight is put together using salvaged pieces of stainless steel.
“Everything I build is from salvage,” Fuhriman said. “A lot of it comes from bid sales and surplus sales.”
“Missy,” for instance, was made in part by using milking machines from farmers in Southern Idaho and microphones purchased at a Utah State University bid sale.
Included in the dozen or so pieces on display tonight will be two “goofy fish.” They were made from a food conveyor belt and jet landing gear, Fuhriman said. Other items include a collection of other stainless steel pieces.
Jerry Fuhriman is, at heart, a painter. At least, that’s what most people would have thought until this, his most recent exhibition — Mr. Fuhriman has traded in his paintbrush for a welding torch, his pallet of paints for an array of stainless steel.
Showing his metal: Providence artist’s steely sculptures on display tonight
By Emilie H. Wheeler
Published: Friday, September 18, 2009 4:46 AM CDT
Jerry Fuhriman is known throughout the valley for his watercolors and oil paintings, but tonight people will get to see another side of the Providence artist.
A handful of Fuhriman’s newly created metal sculptures will be on display during the downtown Gallery Walk tonight at Fuhriman’s Framing & Fine Art, one of 12 businesses displaying artwork or hosting live music.
But for those who have visited Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City recently, the artwork will look familiar.
Dubbed “Missy’s Rocket,” a 10-foot stainless steel rocket created by Fuhriman and Arthur Taylor of Hyde Park is on display in the symphony hall’s plaza. Like “Missy,” all of Fuhriman’s work on display tonight is put together using salvaged pieces of stainless steel.
ArcTime™ Brand Hybrid, One Tungsten Blend For All Materials
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Fabricators from around the world are using ArcTime™ Hybrid to improve weld-quality, lower tungsten inventory costs and minimize weld defects. What started as “cult product” with a few specialty manufacturers of yatch towers, aerospace parts, mountain bikes and race cars has grown into our most poular tungsten electorde product.
Professional fabricators choose ArcTime™ because of its excellent ignition properties, low burn off rate and Tip longevity. As an added bonus, ArcTime™ hybrid tungsten electrodes work well with all power sources and all metals from mild steel to titanium. The material is clearly differentiated by it’s Sky Blue™ color code.
The NEW ArcTime™ offers all that, at a price even a hobbyist or small weld shop can afford.
We are so certain that you will benefit from the new ArcTime™ Hybrid, we are offering a Unconditional Money Back Guarantee backed by our industry-leading No-Hassle Return Policy.
“You’ll notice a difference just by striking the first arc– no finer electrode exists anywhere,” says Jim Watson, president and founder of Arc-Zone.com, Inc.
ArcTime™ Hybrid Performance Tungsten Electrodes™ pass Arc-Zone.com’s 5-Point Inspection Program and are delivered complete with Arc-Zone’s popular Guide to Tungsten (pdf), and Material Safety Data Sheet (pdf) .
ArcTime™ Brand Hybrid, One Tungsten Blend For All Materials
State-of-the-Art, Non-Radioactive Tungsten Electrode Formula: For all metals, compatible with all welding machines.
Professional fabricators choose ArcTime™ because of its excellent ignition properties, low burn off rate and tip longevity. In other words, this stuff lasts!
As an added bonus, ArcTime™ hybrid tungsten electrodes work well with all power sources and all metals from mild steel to titanium. The material is clearly differentiated by it’s Sky Blue™ color code.
The NEW ArcTime™ offers all that, at a price even a hobbyist or small weld shop can afford.
We are so certain that you will benefit from the new ArcTime™ Hybrid, we are offering a Unconditional Money Back Guarantee backed by our industry-leading No-Hassle Return Policy.
“You’ll notice a difference just by striking the first arc– no finer electrode exists anywhere,” says Jim Watson, president and founder of Arc-Zone.com, Inc.
Amazing TUNGSTEN. I never have to switch it out when I weld something new and the arc always strikes perfectly. I am on this for the rest of my welding days!!
Date Added: 05/14/2009 by Roger Wilcox
Some of the best large tungsten I have ever used. I am a definite believer from now on. And they set me up with a Net account in a couple of minutes. A wonderful experience.
Date Added: 05/25/2009 by Duncan Moore
We started using the ArcTime after we had some major quality issues with our tungsten supply. One of the challenges of being a government entity is the material is supplied for a variety of reasons, and most times quality is not one of them! We were using the 1.5% and 2% Lanthanated material, and it varied in performance and each supplier had a box with a different label on it which did not sit well with our welding shop instructor. We tested the ArcTime material and were very pleased with the look of the material, the supporting documentation and most importantly the performance. We do maintenance welds on Aluminum ship hulls – the ArcTime hybrid tungsten out performs all other materials, and saves us a lot of headaches. Now we can focus on welding!
HT2 Hull Technician Pacific Fleet (sent via email)
Date Added: 06/25/2008 by Arc-Zone Admin
Check out what our very own Roxy Fuel has to say about ArcTime™:
“Is it the machinery or the operator?” That was always my mother’s question when a piece of equipment wouldn’t cooperate with my demands. Was it the computer’s fault that the printer kept jamming? Or perhaps… was it the fault of the operator?
The same applies to the world of welding. Is it really the metal’s fault when a weld doesn’t hold true? Can you blame the steel for warping? Was it the machinery‘s fault, or was it the operator?
‘Bad’ steel — the ultimate scapegoat
By Art Hedrick
August 1, 2009
It seems like every time there is a problem making a good part, the steel is blamed. Often the root problem is the process used to cut and form the steel — the combination of the die, the press, and the lubricant.
What the heck is “bad” steel? It seems like every time there is a problem making a good part, the steel is blamed. Cracking problems? It’s bad steel. Wrinkling problems? It’s bad steel. Springback problems? It’s bad steel. Cold and rainy outside? It’s bad steel. You get the idea.
As a tool- and diemaker, I, too, used to blame the steel for many problems. However, as I learned more about the processes of stamping and metal forming, I quickly came to the conclusion that the steel is not always to blame.
When I’m asked to consult for steel suppliers, the usual scenario is that they are being accused of selling bad steel to their customer, and they want me to go into the stamping facility and defend their honor. To be perfectly honest with you, most of the time nothing is wrong with the steel. Often the root problem is the process used to cut and form the steel — the combination of the die, the press, and the lubricant.
I’m not suggesting that there is never a problem with the steel. Stampers have most certainly received steel that was out of spec. What I am suggesting is that you take a hard look at the data before you make a rash decision.
‘Bad’ steel — the ultimate scapegoat
By Art Hedrick
August 1, 2009
It seems like every time there is a problem making a good part, the steel is blamed. Often the root problem is the process used to cut and form the steel — the combination of the die, the press, and the lubricant.
What the heck is “bad” steel? It seems like every time there is a problem making a good part, the steel is blamed. Cracking problems? It’s bad steel. Wrinkling problems? It’s bad steel. Springback problems? It’s bad steel. Cold and rainy outside? It’s bad steel. You get the idea.
As a tool- and diemaker, I, too, used to blame the steel for many problems. However, as I learned more about the processes of stamping and metal forming, I quickly came to the conclusion that the steel is not always to blame.
When I’m asked to consult for steel suppliers, the usual scenario is that they are being accused of selling bad steel to their customer, and they want me to go into the stamping facility and defend their honor. To be perfectly honest with you, most of the time nothing is wrong with the steel. Often the root problem is the process used to cut and form the steel — the combination of the die, the press, and the lubricant.
There is a new welding process, recently developed in Europe, that is said to not only improve welds but also lower the skill required to make them. It uses a “manual and automated GTAW wire feed control combined with a hot-wire power source” that improves the wire feed, weld pool, and weld deposition and decreases gas consumption.
Enhancing the GTAW process
By Ed Craig, Contributing Writer
September 15, 2009
Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW or TIG), a popular process for high-quality manual welding, has its limitations and requires highly skilled operators. A process used in Europe addresses those limitations, enhances productivity and weld quality, and reduces the skill level required to GTAW.
For at least six decades, traditional gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW or TIG) has been considered the process of choice for attaining high-quality welds in any metal application. However, this process has certain drawbacks, such as the weld energy limitation influenced by the weld pool dynamics and typically slow manual wire feed rates. Manual GTAW requires highly skilled operators who possess the dexterity necessary to feed the wire. Manual GTAW techniques vary, and the weld-wire-to-arc and weld puddle placement are inconsistent.
One of the biggest differences between brand-name and no-name torches is the materials used in manufacturing…
Copper
There is tellurium copper, which is very basic plumbing type copper and then there is leaded nickel copper which is a high conductive, high tensile strength copper alloy. This is important for two reasons, one it’s a better conductor, and two it is more durable, the TIG torch body threads last longer, collets don’t buckle and twist etc.
Silicone Rubber
Weldcraft changed the rules when they introduced the Silicone rubber molded TIG torch. Prior to that all torches were molded in a hard plastic material. Difficult to hold, impossible to bend and very susceptible to arcing out. You would think that silicone rubbers are all the same, but again there is a big difference in the material quality, and how much heat it takes before it begins to breakdown, and how well it is bonded to the copper TIG torch body. Materials and preparation are key here and come back to the basics of production standards (more…)
This unit is a basic WP-17 torch body with the new Red rubber molding and features a very nicely made and well designed amperage control built into the handle!
We checked one out recently and had an opportunity to play with it — the handle features a comfortable design with built in amperage control and cable strain relief on the back end to improve flexibility and torch control.
It’s another example of how good design engineering and manufacturing practices add value to the market and continue to establish Weldcraft as the market leader in TIG welding torches!
I wrote a post a few weeks ago and made some pretty pointed comments about some of the manufacturers/re-sellers in the TIG business. I immediately got a letter from an Attorney claiming that the comments were out of line and not necessary. While I understand the concern, what I was trying to say is that many companies have no ENGINEERING expertise and no Electrical or Mechanical Engineer on staff.
It’s not like back in the 1970s when you could simply tinker with a few parts and market it as better– who would know. Today it’s different. Equipment has improved greatly; machines are far more sophisticated and complex electronically.
In business you have to make many choices — As you know we chose to tie our wagon to the Weldcraft® brand of TIG torches. I have an extensive history with that company and was instrumental in establishing Weldcraft® as the undisputed world-wide leader in TIG and for a short time Plasma Arc Cutting torches. A lot has changed since I left the company: new ownership, factory relocation, management changes…. Weldcraft has gone from a business run out of one guy’s garage to being a part of ITW, a publicly traded, well-respected multi-national corporation.
That brings me to my point. What’s the Difference?
We just received a shipment of the new Weldcraft WP series TIG torches and they are nice. They use a new, patented scalloped or textured ergo style torch body with improved design features. You can’t miss them, they are Red!
Another huge differentiator is the collateral material included with each New Weldcraft TIG Torch. The information is very well laid out and includes great technical information, hook-up instructions, welding techniques, welding symbols, duty-cycle ratings, grounding information, amperage ratings for different tungsten sizes and more. This kind of information comes from having a full bank of engineers on staff, and sharing technical information with sister companies like Miller Electric.
When you compare what you get from other companies it is clear that Weldcraft® is on solid ground and back on their way to being the TIG Welders Choice™
It’s all about who builds them! Sure there are many differences in materials and workmanship, and I’ll talk about those in future posts, but the bottom line is you want to buy from a company that actually knows something about what they are making or selling, how and what it is used for, and what it’s going to connect to.
If you look at the industry there are many companies that sell TIG torches — SouthWeld, ProFax, American Torch Tip, Thermacut, Abicor Binzel, CNI, Kuton, MasterWeld, Radnor, Best Welds, Anchor brand, CM Industries etc. etc.
What’s the Difference?
Most of those companies buy from the same importer that buys from the lowest cost supplier in China. We have been there and have seen first hand the so-called factories where these items are built. That’s fine for some things, but as we have seen more and more in the consumer products market, these products are not made to any standards.
Remember these are electrical components that deliver power from your expensive TIG welding machine to the part you want to weld. Most of these companies offer Zero innovation, 100% reverse engineered product– and I’m being kind. The majority of those parts are built to no specifications of any kind — they receive a sample part and they reproduce it.
No matter what you hear “parts are not parts” there is a huge difference, starting with materials: Tellurium copper versus leaded nickel copper, silicone rubber versus hard plastic and even the kind of teflon that is used for insulating gaskets. And then there’s the workmanship: soldering versus brazing, how the cables are made, etc.
A handful of Fuhriman’s newly created metal sculptures will be on display during the downtown Gallery Walk tonight at Fuhriman’s Framing & Fine Art, one of 12 businesses displaying artwork or hosting live music.
For at least six decades, traditional gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW or TIG) has been considered the process of choice for attaining high-quality welds in any metal application. However, this process has certain drawbacks, such as the weld energy limitation influenced by the weld pool dynamics and typically slow manual wire feed rates. Manual GTAW requires highly skilled operators who possess the dexterity necessary to feed the wire. Manual GTAW techniques vary, and the weld-wire-to-arc and weld puddle placement are inconsistent.
A lot of folks wonder what the difference between inexpensive import TIG Torches you see being sold at a lot of online welding suppliers, and the 
