Please critique the weld quality (photos enclosed)

[Bikenstein]

I agree with the other threads to have the welds ground out and redone. My recommendation would be to repair with E7018 1/8 rods at 110 to 120 amps and vertical up. This rod has alloys that will not be as brittle as 6010 or 6011 though they will work fine too.

 

[Rockbadchild]

C- at best , more likely D+ , would not pass muster on an oil rig

lol this weld wouldn't even get a D in my 11th grade welding class ... its a F

 

[Doofy]

Our High Scool turned out many Certified Welders over the years that went directly in to the work force and are still in high demand.

Those welds must have been done by a 3rd Grader.

 

[frcnLS]

I have never welded but have done silver soldering, lead/tin soldering, and brass brazing. I agree with all the comments concerning the poor job done. The welds look exactly like solder does when a small iron is used on a big, cold piece of metal. The gaps and holes in the welds are going to hold water, and the smallest fissure over time will rust and the weld will fail. Those weld beads should be a completely solid line of metal which would look more like a an application of epoxy.

 

[lukeh]

I won't add much to the welding conversation (other than I stick stuff together a couple of times a year, and my welds are 1000x better than this. These look like the first time i tried to use a $90 HF gasless mig).

But in your opening statement, you said that the gates were powder coated. I could be wrong, but I'm 95% sure those are not powder coated, they are spray painted (poorly). Powder coat is amazing at hiding things like grinder marks, smoothing out lumps and bumps etc.

 

[Lena]

Like Ovrszd, I see a battle.

Without a contract, you could reasonably expect performance (the welding job) to meet the minimum standards of the trade. In the following link, are provided the six standards of the trade, with the lowest standard being appearance.
6 Levels of Welding Quality Standards

​ 6 Levels of Welding Quality Standards​ We received a large number of email responses and comments to our article from two weeks ago pertaining to weld ...

Present the judgements from TBN participants to support your claim that the work does not meet appearance standards of the trade.
If you decide not to pay for the job, and the vendor will not redo the job, be careful. You do not want an enforceable mechanic's lien placed on your Kinda rustic looking. I wonder if they didn't grind any paint off before they welded it.

W

 

[Lena]

We always called that chew gum welding. I wouldn’t trust that any further than I could throw the gate

 

[Little Red Tractor]

I don't weld enough to call myself a welder; but mine look better than that. Mine generally hold up; but don't have a lot of stress on them. The welding on this gate might be problematic.

 

[priberc]

I am having fencing/gates installed. Steel material that is/was powder coated.

The photos are for hinge welds for heavy gates. 6x6 steel posts and steel gates to cover a 16 foot opening.

Before approving the job, I'd like to make sure the weld quality is sufficient for long term reliable use. Except I do not know how to evaluate the quality of a weld. Does this work look right to you?

You should have had these powder coated after the hinges were welded on....or ground the powder coat off before welding the hinges on. The welder should have known to grind that crap off though

 

[Gord Baker]

As a Welding Inspector for over 40 years, these are some of the worst I have seen. Lack of heat, done in windy conditions (porosity) and over-all Garbage. Amateur trying to weld vertical. Remove all of it.

 

[efox]

Done many of these. Worst thing about that slobber job is that is is unknown and unknowable strength. Probably needn't be completely removed but can be ground out and rewelded one side at a time. Best if done uphill with 7018 or similar.
What I see moreover, is that both hinges are turned the same direction, allowing the gate to be lifted off the hinges. If only one was reversed though it would put all the thrust on one hinge.
One could be removed and reverse the weldment to the other post allowing a tab to be welded above the hinge.
Or, remove both, put the zerk half on the post side and a tab above one or the other to prevent lifting the gate.

 

[Bob Rooks]

FYI - All welders in Texas must be certified.
Those welds represent the best in amateur and bad practice. Bad prep/dirty, and low heat/amps. Probably using 6011 "farmer's rod" or a 110 volt flux core welder.
At this point it's too late to cut your losses. Accept it as-is and hire a professional welder to redo it if you choose.

 

[frcnLS]

Do they normally charge extra to weld the entire hinge?

 

[sea2summit]

View attachment 767278
Do they normally charge extra to weld the entire hinge?

Show's how little you know, that's on purpose so water can drain

 

[panamaguy]

I am having fencing/gates installed. Steel material that is/was powder coated.

The photos are for hinge welds for heavy gates. 6x6 steel posts and steel gates to cover a 16 foot opening.

Before approving the job, I'd like to make sure the weld quality is sufficient for long term reliable use. Except I do not know how to evaluate the quality of a weld. Does this work look right to you?

Not trying to be nasty but as a welder the last 50 years as a living they are very bad. Did you weld them up hand from bottom to top which is the correct way. You might want to hire someone if you want them to last. Those welds need to be ground out as there is just no going over them. And the rod used should be E7018

 

[Tony H]

Obviously they did not grind off the powder coat before starting. They look like my 'snot welds' when trying to work thru nasty rusted exhaust systems. Otherwise, my welds are much flatter and are in 'V' patterns My guess is that about 50% of those beads have penetrated properly. I wouldn't be satisfied with that.
I just read thru more Posts..good I'm glad you are getting satisfaction. We hope the second time around works out.

 

[Jallcorn]

I am having fencing/gates installed. Steel material that is/was powder coated.

The photos are for hinge welds for heavy gates. 6x6 steel posts and steel gates to cover a 16 foot opening.

Before approving the job, I'd like to make sure the weld quality is sufficient for long term reliable use. Except I do not know how to evaluate the quality of a weld. Does this work look right to you?

I construct hand-forged ornamental ironwork (gates, fences, railings, staircases, furniture, etc. etc.) for discriminating clients and charge accordingly. These welds are completely unsatisfactory by any standard and were attempted by someone who does NOT know how to weld!

They could be salvaged by grinding/cutting out the welds one at a time and re-welding (pre-heat if the weather is cold). I would probably use a root pass and a weld on each side of the root, probably vertical up for better penetration using either stick or flux-core wire. This is mild steel and it's not rocket science!

 

[Rockbadchild]

Not trying to be nasty but as a welder the last 50 years as a living they are very bad. Did you weld them up hand from bottom to top which is the correct way. You might want to hire someone if you want them to last. Those welds need to be ground out as there is just no going over them. And the rod used should be E7018

Op did not weld that popcorn

 

[jbmcc1]

A friend calls this 'Structural Slag Welding'.

 

[lilranch2001]

I sure hope the OP gets satisfaction…..