Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] warning for smyth

["Jake" <sirius@riverstyx.com>]

Alec,

If you're going to reweld the joint, then yes, you should grind the weld out
before you reweld it. I was under the impression that you were just grinding
it down flush with the surface to make it "look nice" or be more
hydrodynamic. I should have given you more credit than that, but I've seen
some strange things in my short time as an aircraft mechanic and grinding
down weld beads so they look flush is one of them. In that case, carry on!
BTW, how did you come up with your design? It looks awesome, especially the
tail! =)

- Jacob Lauser

----- Original Message -----
From: "Alec Smyth" <Asmyth@changepoint.com>
To: <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 2002 9:05 PM
Subject: RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] warning for smyth


Hi Jacob,

Hmmm... that's how the certified welder I hired fixed things, and that's
also what the welding speaker said at the PSUBS conference. If you can't
grind it out and re-weld a joint, what method d'you recommend? Its not as if
welded structures are never repaired.

thanks,

Alec

-----Original Message-----
From: Jacob Lauser [mailto:sirius@riverstyx.com]
Sent: Tue 9/24/2002 9:28 PM
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Cc:
Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] warning for smyth

ATTENTION ALEC SMYTH:

Alec,

It was great to see your progress on the SOLO sub, but I read something that
caused me great concern for your safety, so if you're listening, please pay
attention! I'm sorry to post this over the list, but I didn't have your
e-mail address at hand.

In your description from August 29th, you mentioned a few things needing
attention and in one you said "grinding out small welding flaws in the
hull". I don't want to be an alarmist, and perhaps someone else has brought
it to your attention (hopefully), but you should NEVER EVER EVER EVER grind
on a weld. It will weaken the weld and can seriously endanger your
submarining efforts if it is on the pressure hull. I say this only to keep
you safe. I can only imagine, not that I particularly want to, what could
happen to a weakened pressure hull weld at depth. Please be careful since it
looks like such a cool sub and I wouldn't want anything to happen to the
operator. Good luck and keep working hard!

- Jacob Lauser
  University of Arizona Student Underwater Bouyancy System Initiative
(UASUBSI)