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Warning: I had to pick between a 3/8-inch and a 1/2-inch backing bar for a 2-inch thick pressure vessel weld last week.
The specs were a bit vague, and the old-timer on site swore by the 3/8 for better penetration control. I went with the 1/2-inch for the extra support, thinking it would handle the heat input better on that thick plate. The weld passed the UT, but it took way more filler and time than I expected. Anyone else been in a spot like that, where the 'right' choice just feels like a toss-up?
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blake_bell291mo ago
My buddy had the same call on a bridge job last year. He picked the thicker bar for support and it ate up his whole schedule with extra passes. Sometimes the old school way saves more than just weld metal.
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zara57224d ago
Yeah @blake_bell29 you're dead right about that. It's tough watching a young guy burn through a whole day just because he wanted the flashy new setup.
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