Jobs you wish you did not have to do

[HT1(SW)]

Yes that is a picture of me welding a Patch on to the side of my ship from a paint punt. we are both wearing rubber boats, because between beads, we had to bail out the boat. and yes that is the extension cord for my grinder dangling, between beads, they would pull up my stinger so it would dangle so it would not get in the water. trust me I have done some painful jobs, but welding on something that moves while sitting in a moving boat was near to impossible. the fished product looked like bird droppings, but it passed a 90 psi soap bubble test, 6 months of steaming, and a trip across the Atlantic in hurricane season.

P.S. it was darn colds that day also

[Jim-Tx]

Makes the ordinary welding jobs seem easy, huh? Cold in Florida? lol Actually I was there (FL) last fall and the nights were in the 40s so I know it's not always 80 and sunny.

[HT1(SW)]

Makes the ordinary welding jobs seem easy, huh? Cold in Florida? lol Actually I was there (FL) last fall and the nights were in the 40s so I know it's not always 80 and sunny.

We where in the Black sea at the time of this repair, March, and it was Just above freezing. very unpleasent, though that particular day was perfect, completely still and sunny. if it had been even a litle windy, I would not hae been able to do the repair at all

[vicegrip]

Why is it that;
I'm OK climbing a 30' rusted antena tower, in gusts to 20 mph
with 2 of four guys (guy-wires) gone, to the roof of a two-story house
to attach tag-lines to safely remove said tower.............

BUT your whole chore there seems like a death-wish to me??
Better you than me >>>>> there in the Black Sea.

Thanks for posting ...... FUN!
vg

NOW GIMMY SOME PICS OF YOUR SHIP..........
or else !!

[lars66]

Reminds me of the time I was called to the local marinia to weld a leaky bottom of an alum. Coast Guard boat. When I got there the boat was hanging about 5' above the water level in the well, when I asked why it wasn't up on land and cribbed yet they explained that when the cable on the travel lift reached the next wrap on the winches it couldn't lift the boat. Guess who got to stand in an alum. rowboat under the Coast Guard boat welding the bottom. I can't even use young and stupid as an excuse because I was in my 40's at the time.

[LittleJohnDeere]

Well Lars, its like Big Jim told me, "I've been welding for 40 years. I know when to weld and when to rig."

[Roger]

A diver could have welded it maybe a little easier but a coffer dam could have made a dry stable area to weld. Coffer dam would be harder to make and install
than making your welds.

If your ever have to make welds while setting or standing in water again use air grinder not electric grinder.

When I went to diving school we had to be in a leak free dry suit. Now they can be in a wet suit but must have wet suit gloves with no holes. Real world they wear surgical rubber glove under wet suit gloves which really helps. Tape electrode holder and don't use spring clamp rod holder. Switch off welding current when changing rods. Divers phone talker use knife switch wearing electricians rubber glove while standing on rubber mat.

Last spring I was in chest deep water drilling holes in wood pilings with 3/4" electric drill. Then installed bolts to attach pier deck to pilings. Original construction only used nails. GFI was used at end of 200ft extension cord to drill. They had planed on using a John boat but I said it wasn't practical.