Weldors just love to brag, talk shit, criticize and grandstand. Set them up with catchy names, fancy leathers and scary lids and let them go on bitter rants against their rivals before and after matches.

Welding itself is an intricate craft with many processes, settings, positions, materials, techniques, inspection procedures etc. It doesn't lend itself to spectation in real life but with cameras and filters it could make interesting TV.
-- afinehowdoyoudo, Nov 25 2024

That's a weld of beauty ... https://www.reddit....ter_welder_at_work/
[normzone, Dec 02 2024]

Definitely.
-- Loris, Nov 25 2024


Explain the "sport" aspect of it more.

What kind of competitions do you envisage?

- each competitor has a pile of 100 bits, they have to attach them all together, the first to do so wins?

- Each competitor stands beside a rail, the stopwatch counts down 3 minutes, the longest continuous weld line wins?

Other suggestions?
-- pocmloc, Nov 25 2024


I like it.

Perhaps 3 contestants in adjacent workshops each receive identical jobs, the materials for completion all being in each workshop. Cameras might record material selection and prep, technique, safety concerns and final product quality.
-- whatrock, Nov 25 2024


Basic weld tests such as fillet and groove welds in each of flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions are judged on a pass/fail basis on various criteria such as appearance, x-ray inspection, and bend testing. These tests might work as qualifying rounds but in a competition between skilled weldors the judging would be very subjective. Fortunately, more challenging events can be created, especially if welding-adjacent tasks such as cutting are included.

Oxy-acetylene severance races would be a nice combo of skill and strategy. Each person gets an identical torch, all running off the same oxygen and fuel pressures, and identical pieces of plate to cut in two. Go slow and ensure severance, or go fast and try to break off minor bridges later. Other oxy-fuel events might be freehand straight-line or circle cutting... straightness or cicularity determined by mathematical algorithm.

Oxygen lance cutting would have appeal, just for being obscure and extreme. The longest cut through 6 inch steel plate, using just one lance...

More challenging weld tests could be stick welding an airtight box of a difficult material e.g. aluminum. Leaks are guaranteed. Show off esoteric vacuum pumps and leak-detection technology. Or do ultimate tensile testing on welds done on super rusty pieces (no weld prep allowed)

Joke events could be fun too.. downhand, blindfolded, welding the backside of something viewed in a mirror, something involving cigarettes...
-- afinehowdoyoudo, Nov 26 2024


I like any activity that makes kids look at productive activities as interesting and fun.
-- Voice, Nov 26 2024


Most Beautiful Bead

Strongest Weld

Thinnest Material

Fewest Burns/Most Burns

# of Shop Fires/Shops

All Fluxed Up
-- minoradjustments, Nov 27 2024


Blindfolded.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Nov 28 2024


Charpy
-- bhumphrys, Nov 29 2024


Having inspected probably a mile of welds back in the late eighties, I like this. Welding would be fun to do, but I don't want to do it for a living.
-- normzone, Nov 30 2024


Welding is the next skill I intend to put under my belt. I dabbled in my teens and have two mirror reflective scars on the inside bend of one arm to show for it. (+) Welding is cool...

...don't do it above your head in a t-shirt.

Bad idea.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Dec 03 2024



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