c/boilermakers

Hot take: The 12-inch extension on an autogenous weld wasn't BS after all

I spent three years swearing by a short torch setup for stainless. Last month, a retired millwright from Local 150 told me to switch to a 12-inch extension on my autogenous weld for tube and sheet. He said it gives you a cleaner puddle and less filler wicking. I tried it on a 304L stainless tank at a plant in Gary, and he was dead right. Anyone else got a trick they fought against for too long?

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theas28•14h ago

Old timer told me I was overcleaning boiler tubes and he was right

Was on a job in Gary last month prepping for an inspection and spent 3 hours scrubbing tubes till they shined. This guy in his 60s walks by and goes "you're gonna wear em out before they see steam." Laughed it off but then the next day the boiler came up 8% lower on draft loss compared to my last cleanout where I was aggressive. Turns out leaving that thin oxide layer actually helps heat transfer. Now I just knock off the heavy soot and leave the rest. Any of you guys go easy on tube cleaning or am I still doing it wrong?

c/boilermakers

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