Thanks Brian, what a nice change from the usual "crap-fest" I encounter herein. Yes- I started with Lincoln Electric welding machines and SMAW (stick rod) in my GrandFather's machine shop in Ohio at about 14-welding up bases for die sets, etc. Learned to use the oxy-acetylene torch for soldering, brazing and welding, which was best start for the later on TIG process, controlling the puddle in the HAZ and using the filler rod. Before Lincoln developed the "Shield-Arc" process in the 1920's, most schedule pipe was welded with the oxy-acetylene process.
The military, especially the USAF and the Navy have about the best welding programs going- and anyone who qualifies for Sub and especially Nuclear Sub code welding is at the "Top of Their Game", in my book. I welding to API and AWS codes before I retired about 3 years ago, but teach part-time GED welding classes two nights/week- Oxy-SMAW-MIG and TIG. I belong to the AWS and keep up on their data- but the many other welding processes- Spray, Plasma, copper electrode "spot" welding" and others are not my "forte"- I learned from the "old hands" and also at Lincoln Electric in Cleveland-but just like the double guns that arouse both so much interest, as well as controvery and "head-banging" posts here, no one person can know it all-there is just too much to learn, and like a flowing river, always changing. RWTF
