I've got a rumor and i need some opinions about it

[Roadrider]

My instructor in welding school used to tell us that prep and fit was the biggest part of the battle.

[epjohnso]

I'll be the first to admit I'm not the most experienced welder, and joined this site to learn the proper procedure, process(es), and hints and tips. However there is probably one universal truth, and that is 90% isn't good enough. Just as working on a car, being 90% operational can be dangerous if the 10% not working are the brakes.
Toolaholic's comment fits right to the point - if a 90% joint was strong enough, then you don't need to do anything else - we just ask you let us know before we trust anything you do!

Any good effort, is doing all aspects of the work properly, fit-up, cleaning, materials, arc, etc. Understanding and performing the processes and technique is actually 99% of the strength, since you then make sure the work is done properly. The other 1%, is the person who will be using it will push it beyond the capability you built and will make it fail. That's what I see in my normal job - and I'm certain it applies to welding.

[hockeyguynick]

Was it a Fitter who said that?

Wasn't any of the fitters I know. They get it somewhat close and say "Best I can do, you're a good welder, have fun"

[Northweldor]

Wasn't any of the fitters I know. They get it somewhat close and say "Best I can do, you're a good welder, have fun"

I've had that experience, as well as some really good guys, who made it really easy for me. I think the statement probably should have been something like, " If all of the preparation is done properly, it's 80% easier to make a good weld."

[toolaholic]

I've had that experience, as well as some really good guys, who made it really easy for me. I think the statement probably should have been something like, " If all of the preparation is done properly, it's 80% easier to make a good weld."

That's more like it. I can't imagine Not cleaning up ,and fitting up. And remember anything thick as a pencil and larger Gets pre heat. Always interesting to see the water coming off big iron with weed burner on a 80 degree
day !

[Dan Timberlake]

Wasn't any of the fitters I know. They get it somewhat close and say "Best I can do, you're a good welder, have fun"

Everybody's probably heard this before
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KH7e8...jmA&playnext=1

[P3T3R ST33L]

Good fit up is condusive to good weld job. The ratio your friend gave you is lop sided. I have had plenty of fitters do sloppy work. It just makes the weld out more of a pain that it should have to be. You can still do a good and proper job with poorly fit parts, but by no means is it ideal. If you end up working as a fitter for a shop you will get along with the welders better by doing good fit up work.

[JohnT]

Putting that much emphasis on fit-up is kind of like saying one of the wheels on a motorcycle is more important than the other or that the wheels are more important than the engine or the chain. If any of those are missing or crappy, you are out of luck.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. I don't pretend to be a good welder for anything but the simplest joints, but when I screw up I try to figure out why. Much of the time it's just plain laziness. I didn't do good prep or go get the right rod or practice the weld on scrap.

My father-in-law had a sign in his shop that he got from a service station he worked in as a teenager. It said "Think. Use the right tool. Take the time to do it right." Pretty well applies to everything.