Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] warning for smyth

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

Gary,

I sure you saw my response to Alec, but if not, I was just making sure that
he wasn't trying to buff/grind a weld bead down to make it pretty or more
hydrodynamic since I see such idiocy all the time in the aircraft industry.
Thanks for the reassurance and restoring my confidence in PSUB builders
everywhere. BTW I speak from experience. I ground a weld bead down on a
liquid-fuel rocket engine I made a few years ago and when I pressurized the
cooling jacket and fired it up, the bead cracked and shot out a jet of
steam, ruining the cooling capabilities of the engine. I never fixed it, but
it was a good experience as I later learned, while in a welding class, that
you should never grind on weld beads. consequently, I have applied this to
my submarining endeavors. Hope all is well with everyone. I should have a
major update on the UASUBS Initiative soon for any interested party...

- Jacob Lauser

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary R. Boucher" <protek@shreve.net>
To: <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 25, 2002 7:43 AM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] warning for smyth


> Mr. Lauser,
>
>      They radiograph and use ultrasonic methods to find cracks and flaws
in
> a weld.  Exactly how would you suggest fixing a flaw?  Perhaps drill it
> out?  Of course you grind it out.  There is no way other than to throw the
> hull away and start over.  That is the method used by certified welders
and
> has been since the beginning.
>      As far as grinding of a finished weld goes, it does tend to weaken
the
> weld, but all must be considered in the larger scope of things such as the
> amount of stress the weld will be subjected to and the types of materials
> used.  If you want to see some grinding, I suggest you come look at my
> sub's sail section.
>      I have met Smyth, and sir, I can assure you he is paying attention.
>
> Gary R. Boucher, D.Eng.
> Dept. Chemistry-Physics
> Louisiana State University - Shreveport
>
>
> At 06:28 PM 9/24/2002, you wrote:
> >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)
> >
>
>
>
>