This is similar to the other post in this section,but I wanted to ask you this personally because I know you welded on many wellheads over the years. Being you know how difficult it is to see the inside weld on a wellhead,what shade lens do you use when welding the inside of the head. You`ve probably done it too,weld away,and at times you are more or less just feeling your way around because of all the smoke. This always makes me nervous,because I never want a bad weld when pressure checking,[no one does].So far I`ve never had a leak in all my years,but at 57 I have a few strikes against me,namely my eyes. Is there anything you have done to see better,and like I mentioned above,what shade lens do you use when welding the inside? Thanks for any input.
I used a Shade 9 for many years, I have had an Optrel Quick Change #10 for the last 7-8 years. If you clean the Cellar good and are able to move around, you shoulds be able to see everything ok. There ARE times when you "Weld by Feel" It just takes practice. If you have a "Ledge" or "Lip" to set your rod on during your pass, a 7018 is relativley easy to weld with when you can't see. I also wear Bifocals, Tom Waters "Blue" or "Rose" color. They seem to help alot.
Perfect answer, NM welding how far north do you go? I moved back to suttons bay( home).
Weaver, it's been a while since I have been up north. Back in the 80's and 90's I used to get up to Grayling and Osineke at times chasing rigs. Now my work is closer to home at this time. If the drilling ever picks up I plan on getting around more. If the Collingwood/Utica ever kicks off up north that should create a lot of work, and down closer to me there is much interest developing for the A-1 Carbonate, which some say could have the potential of the Bakken Shale. I'll have to see that to believe that. Devon Energy is drilling in the A-1 and Encana is drilling in the Collingwood/Utica Shale. I've never worked for either of them before and if I do I'll need to know if any special requirements exist as far as insurance goes. One other thing, the A-1 Carbonate is the source rock for the Niagaran formation, and you being from up north likely know how well that enhanced the economy up there in its day. The A-1 is being drilled horizontally which is the only way it would be economical. I read an awful lot about geology and such, and sometimes wonder if I shouldn't have became a geologist or petroleum engineer or something related to that. But I'm just a mediocore oilfield welder.
Cactus, the weld on the O.D. of the surface pipe, I have no problem with, it is the weld down inside the head where I at times have to feel my way because of all the smoke. I use an auto darkening hood, I will just try a 9 shade. I've been welding the inside at a 10 or 11 shade. I guess I have been just using to dark a shade all these years. Maybe I should also try Lincoln's Excalibur, I've heard they produce less smoke, I use Hobart 418 which I like very much.
I generally use Excaliber Rods. The Weld INSIDE should be the easiest. It is Flat, and you have a "Lip" to hang your Rod on.
The weld inside if the bowl is the easiest by far. 3/16 lh all the way , just make sure the grease is wiped off from inside of the bowl.
Is 5p a big No No on a well head..?? Could you run a HOT 5p+ bead in to cut the grease if there was any left behind then cap it with 3/16 Lo Hy..??
I would think that you could get the head clean before you put it on and that the preheat would bun out all the oil before hand but if for some reason there was some left... I would think that 5P+ would burn it out pretty rapid..!!
i never use a p5 on the head, bead will crack
Most heads are 4130 or a 1040 alloy. You preheat to bake out hydrogen and weld using low hydrogen electrodes. Running 5p is a big no no. You're just asking for problems.
I never have alot of problem with Smoke. It seems that the Wind is ALWAYS whipping through the Sub. It keeps the Smoke clear. IF I had smoke problems, I would just bring a small fan and have one of the Roughnecks (who are always standing around watching you) hold it in place. Problem solved. I might try that anyway. It will keep them from snooping around my truck........Maybe. The Rig ALWAYS has plenty of Airhose laying around. You might try throwing the end of it in the Head. That will keep the smoke out.
Or just have the company man watch and talk, there always full of lots of hot air.
The blue or rose colored lens of the glasses knock out the smoke that's the purpose of the colored lens not just to look cool
You have to admit, Those Blue ones look better on me than they do on you !!!
But my purple ones are darker
I have always used a shade 10 and the smoke has never bothered me like Cactus said just catch the lip and burn it.
Thanks Rafter
Yea,that`s what I always did,caught the lip,and kind of felt my way around when I couldn`t see because of the smoke from the rod. Never had a problem yet, just thought maybe someone had a different and better way[because of the smoke issue]. I always have the roughnecks help when I prep the head before welding,like cleaning off all grease and then preheating. I can`t believe after all these years the roughnecks up here still do not realize how critical it is to get the head PERFECTLY clean of all grease. I always double check their work when they help me.
Have you EVER seen an application for a Roughneck Postition ? NO WHERE on it does it ask if you have a Brain in your head, or do you have common sense.
It's the same way with these frac hands man some of them can't breathe and walk at the same time
Yeah sorry about that my fingers are bigger than the keys on this phone
last month i went to set a head and was use to it being clean when it was set so i didnt check. i got it set tacked in place and welded out then went to weld the inside and you guessed it full of grease. I asked the rough neck they sent to help me why it wasnt clean he told me they never clean the grease i told him the next 1 better be cleaned. I went back to that rig 2 weeks ago and again a greasy head i told/made them clean it before i set oit thr driller told me we dont clean them i told him for me you do and next time the cellar better be dug out before i get there. dont thinl he likes me to much but the company man does and thats all that matters lol.
let me tell ya, most floorhands aint got a damn clue, and that includes the drillers, these land hands they got now are the bottom feeders of the patch, you drop ur hood and these dopeheads r stealing from ur truck, screw land get ya some deepwater
Hojo, You must admit, When I set up a Job on a Rig, I do it right. I think our conditions in Lafayette were pretty damn good ! Shad (RafterG) and a few others on here will tell you about some other jobs. The Brady Job was Famous !!
yes they were, dont see it like that to often, had a good time on that one, lets do it again sometime, still in korea but heading home next week
Brady was awesome everything had its place and own crew. I worked on a lil bit of everything even pulled some nights it was a great job im ready to go back. Shreveport was fun too. Got moved to nights when 2 guys pulled up on location got told they were on nights they said no they ain't. They got told to leave. I was standing there when it happened then got told now you're on nights. Ummmm ok lol must of thought I was a good hand to put me and another guy by ourselves on nights. I even got on the high rollers floor at a casino id go back to that ranch anytime. Galveston was fun too minus the light pole. SHUT UP CACTUS lol
Remember the Poop Deck ? I remember the look on the guys face when you stood up,........Priceless !!!!!!
yeah lol we partied at the poop deck
If I go deep water I wont make what im use to. And when you're 6'9" and 265I lbs they think twice before robbing you. Lol
Hey Shad....................I have more Diamonds than you. Just thought you might want to know.
Hey thats great for you. ill catch up soon enuff.
Dont stress about it Shad..!! Its not the quantity of dimonds you have its the Quality...
Sorry Cactus I couldnt hold that one in..LOL
Shads are all CZ anyway !!!
Blah blah blah drop your hood and get to work lol
