nedconinternati... Just another day at the office.....welding on the top grating of an intake structure at a nuclear power plant. Tricky current, bubbles were steep that day.
Thanks! I would like to post more but recent jobs have me diving in water with no visibility. To answer your question, I work for a company. I was with one of the larger inland dive companies for ten years then quit when I questioned their integrity when it came to safety. But lucky for me I found another company that is doing great. You too, be safe!
THANK YOU for a GREAT video! Also, thank you to the folks who put down some very informative comments! I teach welding (ZERO underwater experience!), and I have students who ask about underwater careers. Like I say, the video shows a lot of what is involved. After watching, I was more able to appreciate the difficulties that you face in your job. THANK YOU!
Any time. If you have more questions please don't hesitate to ask. I check back every no and again and try to answer everyone's questions the best I can.
Yes. Make sure your O2 is set with correct pressure. Angle your rod and move it away from you, like "pushing" don't drag it to you. This is helpful for long flat surfaces. MAKE SURE WHATEVER YOU ARE CUTTING IS PROPERLY VENTILATED TO PREVENT TRAPPED GAS! This is especially trick when cutting sheet pile, the knuckles can trap gas. Do not burn the rods as far as you would a weld rod as this is a quick way to burn your gasket behind the retaining collet. Once that is gone you will get shocked
this is one of the video's that made me go to college as a welding student and made me want to become an underwater welder. Can't wait to grad and be able to weld at a pro level.
I wore once a long sleeve shirt with hamburgers printed all over it......confused the hell out of the fish. But yes, the overalls is my formal wear ;p Cheers!
Respect, Im just a newbie in stick welding, so it kinda feels nice that its about the same process underwater.. I heard it pays well... And also has a 50%+ mortality rate or so I heard... Music is GREAT.
Hey, welcome to welding. You are in many ways correct about the process being similar however, the technique is very different. And for the mortality rate being 50%+ I'm happy to say is grossly incorrect. It's something I do these days, researching, analyzing, statistics of diver injuries, all for various interest groups and companies. Not sure where you might have heard that. Thank you for the compliment, Cheers!
im almost 15, freshman in highschool and i took metals class. and first unit was welding. i loved it!!! we only did stick welding but we start up again in a month or so, and do both stick and wire feed. i would like to get a welding job cause i hear its good money
This industry is a love/hate relationship on the grounds of work, pay, and companies. My number one suggestion out of all advise out there is safety. Go with a company that is truly safe and lives by that standard. Second thing is initiative. Don't stand around. Learn fast and stay engaged with the task at hand.
Yeah im 19 & I start wielding school in October and I wanna get into underwater wielding because its great money & im glad you posted this video cus it makes me confident enough dive right in it doesn't look like nothing I cant handle.
The key is consistency and making sure you really clean your path before your next run. Other than that practice, practice, practice. Good luck and if you make it, welcome!
The US is beginning to accept IMCA dive certification. I do know a few Americans who went to Canadian schools and came back to work in the US. As far as work visas, I honestly don't know I'm really sorry I can't be of more help with that. Companies are always looking for entry level divers; there is a high turn over rate in this industry. For those who stay and don't mind travel it can be rewarding. As far as Canadian experience it doesn't matter where. Any experience is great for lob hunting.
eric tencamp Your welcome Eric. But by no means is anything impossible; I just would hate to see someone go through hardships that might have been unforeseen by an individual. To give you an idea also, even the young people; let's say 20 are in a class; 18 will graduate;12 will go on to find work; maybe from those 12, 7 of them will work for a year, and then possibly 2or3 will work over one year from the original 20 and then one might go on to see 10yrs. *Please note these are estimates, not actual figures*
In many situations it can be due to visibility, accessibility to weld location, surface condition of metal and so on. But the principle is fairly easy. Once you have correct amperage concentrate on rod angle and travel speed and your rod pretty much feeds itself. Couple things. Make sure your surface is completely prep'd and you are comfortable with your body location to reach your weld. Do not continue if you think you messed up...stop immediately, clean your spot and restart.
Need to check dive companies in the area. Off hand I don't know. Find out who works the FP&L plants. They usually got work in the spring and fall. Might also want to see companies who do reef restorations in the area. This industry unfortunately takes some job hunting until you get in good with someone...
Hey! No problem dude. Just be patient and research the companies you go work for. Safety is paramount. But like most technical fields seniority plays a part, but good companies know talent when they see it. Be mindful that you work for a company that gets contracted, so when they have work so will you (be aware a lot of work is seasonal). Stay safe and stay focused and you will do fine. Cheers, brah!
For one thing (unless you are really good and given right circumstances) you never move your puddle. Where the bead lies is exactly the result you will get. So much goes into the aspects of wet welding such as water temperature, depth (the deeper/ more pressure the smaller the bead), turbidity (particles can enter your weld), water current(can actually push your puddle)....and so on. I'm sorry to say, but not all topside welders make good dive welders.
To avoid fogging cameras housing, U have to pack camera in cold Air conditioned room. Other solution to put inside housind silicagel bag, but GoPro's housing is too small. I do pot silicagel in other bigger camera than GoPro.
thank you very much for your information and hands on experience. I have found a new School close to me which provides the basics needed, but at least anything else I learn at this Facility is International accredited. I am glad to hear that it can be a long lived career. I am a Martial Artist since Birth and Bone Necrosis would be a nightmare to my lifestyle lol. ty again : )
you know my intention was to weld underwater but along the line I decided I will do tig and maybe in the nearest future I will love to be an underwater welder,from Nigeria
Only if you go by way of union companies. Non union (mostly inland) the need of the company dictates whether they will train you as an underwater welder. For example when I hired on to a company a while ago there was a lot of weld repairs needed for GE and Westinghouse so the dive company set up a program to meet their goals. Guys straight out of dive school were sent through the weld program.
Not necessarily. There is plenty of ambient light on clear dives to assist with positioning, ie. starts and rod angle etc. The thing with underwater welding is that turbidity can affect visibility as well. I personally use a #7 lens on almost all welding. For burning I use a #5, or for example I'm in th Ohio River this week and will burn with no lens seeing as how there is absolutely zero viz.
Sorry, one more thing. Even with the lens flipped down, in the hat you can angle your head to get a quick glimpse of the start and just turn your head back into position without ever losing hand position.
Get a commercial dive cert that is recognized in the area you want to work. Once you've been with a company for a bit and display good work ethics and an aptitude for fabrication, request to be put on weld jobs. When I run jobs for example that do not require a certified structural weld and have the time to do so, I might put someone in to get the experience. I'm of the mindset that the more guys I have that can weld really well the better off I am at completing the project.
Awesome! Just remember not to pay extra at dive school for welding. As long as you have top side you're good to go. The company you work for will have to certify you. The school thing is a waste of money.
+Ben Komito The turn over rate is quite significant in this field. The difficult part is for one to be patient once hired in. The work can be long, strenuous and as Bill Dickson (comments bellow) pointed out; cold and miserable at times, being out in the elements.....sometimes it can be amazing. The difficult task is for one to find a reputable and safe company to work for. DO NOT forgo safety. It also depends on your situation. The best way to enter this industry is single and willing to live out of a suitcase for a while.
Thanks for the encouragement. But since I hate the water, I wouldn't want to do underwater welding, even though I hear the pay is amazing. I'll look into regular welding though.
It's in respect to the weld qualification. For example. The dive company you work for has a project to weld on a General Electric component. GE cannot accept your weld certification from a dive school for which it has no oversight or control to the procedures you welded under. GE will have it's own guidelines and specs and will have the company you work for set up a program that is in accordance to their Quality Control program. In other words your company will make you a welder they need.
I'm watching the huge amount of bubbles exhaled per breath and I would imagine you could increase the oxygen concentration and breathe slower and smaller volume
I highly recommend the Young Memorial School in Louisiana. I have heard decent things about the one in Minnesota as well. The less you spend the better off you are. The other schools you will be paying off student loans for years.
I just went to commercial dive school then found a job working inland. As far as welding goes, don't pay extra at the schools it is a waste of money. Your company will have to re-certify you anyway.
You need to understand they are vastly different in technique. When you start, make sure you have an absolutely clean surface. Use a die grinder to help "groove" your first bead (set a track, your rod will actually rest on the project), and most important is STOP....if you mess up you will not recover and will have to remove everything you did. And another biggie, don't leave a mess for the next diver to grind out; it is a sure way of not being part of a weld team.
Да. Он использует постоянный ток / прямой полярности. SMAW(Shield Metal Arc Welding). Ток течет непосредственно из жала на землю. Однако, вы должны использовать защитные перчатки. Я была в шоке несколько раз прежде, но ничего серьезного. Он чувствует, как трогательно свободный провод от вашего дома. Всегда убедитесь, что ваша машина постоянного тока.
Mr. Richter, this is what i want my future to be like, im a junior in highschool. im 17 and i would love to become an underwater welder. idk y im telling you this? i just felt like it...
I stated Mechatrition in Germany or called KFZ in Germany which is electrition and mechanic and Pneumatic and work all in one. However I did only one of 1 out of 4 years due too moving back to U.S. However I did work hands on all year round with classes as well and took a basic welding School doing Gas, electric welding with Steal, as well as soldering with Steel. However ill defenitley will look into the school in Louisiana
I bet more people exist, that have climbed Mt Everest ,than proficient underwater welders..Must feel good to know, only a few people on earth can do what you do... Is this piece work for a company or by the hour...
Amigo, en respuesta: No. En mi experiencia, por lo menos por aqui, lo que te promueve es etica de trabajo en todo lo que abarca el buceo. Soladar bajo el agua no es el 100% de lo que hace ni una compania ni un buzo. Asi es que, saber como hacerlo es un bono, pero no una garantia de que eso es lo unico que haras. Saber como soldar fuera del agua, conocer el equipo y teoria si es definitivamente recomendable.
you guys are awesome, i wish im as tough as you guys😂, im also a welder and i dont plan on doing underwater welding, im too scared😂, good work you guys.
Dive schools will sell you anything and everything to make money. I recommend separating the two, but whatever you do DEFINITELY DO NOT got to "underwater welding classes" that you pay extra for. Another 'tidbit'....careful with your ego coming new into diving and being a topside welder. Welders are not rock stars, we just put two pieces of metal together on top of having to work like everyone else on the team.
Vielen Dank! Das bedeutet eine Menge hören es von dir. The first video I made with the GoPro I think you can see by clicking my user name....nothing to do with diving though ;-) The only problem I'm having in the water is temperature change keeps fogging the case....
omg man awesome right now im on a welding school, im gonna go to an underwater welding school in 2 years. im looking for it to do it man it really rocks!!
Money can be good if you are willing to travel....a lot. There are inherent dangers to diving but proper training and a safety conscious work environment mitigates a lot of those concerns. Although nothing is fool proof. Hydrogen pockets is mostly a concern when doing underwater cutting with torches.....not so much with welding. The arc flash of a weld rod doesn't travel like the explosive force of a burning rod.
Please see my above response. I am not joking. You will come out ahead by not going to those schools. With them you will start your career in debt for several years and will be just like everyone else who went to college. Like I mentioned, your personality and work ethic is the most important thing. Schools can't teach that....they will sell you classes that serve no purpose. Your crew when you first hire on is the most important lesson along with common sense and a safety culture mindset
Gracias. Estoy de acuerdo contigo sobre lo de la camara. El casco no es mio. La compania para la que trabajaba mantenia todos lo cascos (por seguridad, en trabajo en plantas nucleares). No conosco mucho de escuelas en EU. Pero tengo conocidos que fueron a la Underwater Centre, en Escocia. Tiene fama de ser buena escuela. De hecho, hay dos escuelas en Escocia con buena fama, que ofrecen las certificaiones apropiadas para trabajar en EU y el resto del mundo. Suerte!
Nope. Not a topside welder, I watched a youtube "How to.." video ;-P Just kidding, couldn't resist. Seriously though, I just pick things up quickly. And for me I know I was lucky and at the right place at the right time. I do wish back then I knew more about topside welding, it would have put me that much further ahead of the game. I entered commercial dive school at 32.
Nice video! que corriente! Bueno decirte que ha gustado cuando se cae la cámara, la pena es que tendrías que comprar una carcasa con lente plano para tu go-pro! El casco es tuyo? Que escuela me recomiendas en europa para hacer el curso de comercial diver? Saludos y sigue subiendo videos!!!
You have to do some research in your area and find forums online. You'd be surprised what you can find with inland companies. Hydro/dam repairs, pier repair, power plants.... If I were you I would start locally (Europe) with diving. It is important to get your name out there first as a good worker. Let your abilities find the work for you at first. Once established (work/finance) then go explore outside options.
How come we don't just feed regular oxygen thru a tube down to the diver? Or it the pressure so strong that the oxygen would not work its way down? Or a full suit where you stay dry and have own atmosphere inside, based on surface pressure.
What's the most dangerous thing about underwater welding? I know for certain projects you have to actually live down there. what's the longest time you'd actually have to be down there?
Please see my previous posts and think really hard if that is the way you want to go about doing it. You might save yourself the trouble and a lot of money. Let the companies that hire you pay for your training. Regardless, good for you. It's nice to hear someone with drive these days Chase your dream down and kick its ass.
quick question, why do not use flippers and what kind of tank are you using as it seems kind of small to be down there any prolonged periods of time. (like 30 to an hour)
If you mean divers license as in PADI or NAUI scuba cert., I'm afraid it's not enough for the industry. It does help however because you will need one of those certs for a commercial dive school. Depth depends on which jobs you are sent to. Inland can range from 1'-200', and offshore even greater depths. It is true there are not many women in the industry. It is an extremely male dominant line of work and 99% of them have ridiculous ego and insecurity issues.
most likely not, unless the shark is extremely aggressive or territorial most sharks should stay away as humans are not there prey and when welding it sends an eletric charge that they can feel or at the very least "see".
