Why Do Fitters Have Such an Aversion To Grinding High/Low?

Date 03-06-2009 11:11

refuse the fit before he even puts it up again, unless he transitions itn first. Then if he doesn't want to to it hit him in the pride, and tell him if he can't or won't do it to get out of the way and let a real hand do it.

By ZCat

Date 03-06-2009 13:20

These guys try to build a refinery like they would the shipyard they came out of. It's pretty frustrating for somebody that takes pride in his work when they try to throw any old kind of slop up there and say 'tack'. Whatever happened to craftsmanship?

By Kix

Date 03-06-2009 13:29

I would of told ya I'm not grinding the high low out of a pipe either and handed you the grinder. lol Maybe if it was a drain or something, but even then I would of said "it's a drain, weld the thing or give me the stinger. ;-) He may be right about thinning the wall thickness of the pipe. Weld some dogs on there and try to get it close.

By ZCat

Date 03-06-2009 13:38

It's not the pipe, it's the flange. You can't dog out high/low that's all the way around.

See, this is exactly the attitude I'm talking about, it's easier for the welder to spend an hour welding on and grinding off dogs than it is for the fitter to put the flange in a vise and spend ten minutes transitioning.

I just don't get it.

It's not a drain, it's a high temp/ high pressure chrome moly oil line.

By johnnyh (***)

Date 03-06-2009 14:14 Edited 03-08-2009 04:05

The old salt is probably covering his ass.

By Joe Davidson (**)

Date 03-06-2009 15:09

I know in pipeline work we always have the helper grind a transition (if he is a good helper). This is usually on flanges, fittings, or when going to a different thickness pipe, like in a bend (usually .500 wall). Which would mean you are removing material from a thicker piece and only enough to fit to the pipe. I have never heard any inspector say "no, you will make it to thin". As far as that goes most of the heavier flanges are factory transitioned when they arrive. I have had some that were not transitioned very well and due to time constraints the boss had me weld it instead of spending more time getting a "proper" line up. It makes it real hard sometimes to get the root in far enough, crank the heat and hope you catch that back edge, and if you miss the edge it shows up in x-ray as IP. Not sure what the standards are for the type line you are doing but just my 2 cents. Joe

By Kix

Date 03-06-2009 20:50

Weld it up then!! It's a flange, check your root afterwards. Remember he was just test fitting it and maybe when he puts the clamps to it, he'll be able to get you a somewhat half decent fit-up.

By Shane Feder (****)

Date 03-06-2009 23:37

Zcat,
Stick to your guns and don't accept poor workmanship.
On every project I have ever worked on I stress to the welders that once they start welding a joint they have taken ownership of that joint. No good complaining of misalignment when the RT comes back with root defects.
If the fitters can't get the alignment right on a weldneck flange (when they can reach inside and feel it) how are they possibly going to get the alignment right when they can't see inside ?
You don't mention what code you are working to but if it is Chromolly it may be B31.1 and that only allows 1/16" maximum misalignment so the 1/8" you mentioned is not code compliant.
Good luck,
Regards,
Shane

By ZCat

Date 03-07-2009 01:59

Well, I surreptitiously had the QC look at it before we tacked it and ended up being transitioned, after all.

Would have been kind of hard to backweld a 12" flange on a horizontal weld when they have the preheat coils at 400 degrees.

By spgtti

Date 03-07-2009 03:11

Call for QC. Thats what I do and it'll just get you moved to another crew usually once you've called them on bad fits a couple times. Lazy fitters or "pipe holders" are becoming more the norm anymore, as everyone wants the money without investing the time it takes to learn their craft.