Sanitary Welding Made Simple: Expert Tips And Tricks For Welding Stainless Steel Pipe And Tubing

[@BlueCollarDrew]

More on how and specifically what I use to clean sanitary and pipe welds.. check it out... kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHa9YWlsfr-rj9k

[@mandoky1647]

Hey Drew quick question. I'm doing my first sanitary job. I'm struggling with getting a good color and a good root on a test piece. I either can get hot and burn the pass on the outside with good penetration, or I can move fast and get good color with lack of fusion on the inside. I'm stumped on what my issue could be. I'm running a WP-17 torch, 3/32 gas lens, #8 cup, purge at 10 cfm with 3 small 1/16 holes for my exhaust, 2" pipe, and running it at 47 amps.

[@tuckerjustice2232]

first video I’ve seen about sanitary tubing that is actually worth watching.

[@BlueCollarDrew]

Not much content out there! That’s what inspired me to make this.

[@jondavidmcnabb]

AGREED!!! DUDE KNOWS HIS SHIT!!!

[@Altruistic-Viking]

@@BlueCollarDrew hi, I hope you don’t mind answering a couple of questions, being a skilled stainless steel welder I’m surprised to put it mildly, have watched multiple welding vids 3 things seems to repeat regarding Americans welding and I’d REALLY like to know why that is… 1. Argon as purging gas ? It’s unstable and uncontrollable unless you have hours to patiently wait. 2. Discoloration on the root, in Europe we have a color schedule to follow, especially in any applications involving food, water or other consumables, even a slight yellow color isn’t approved, you do not have something similar?? Looking at comments it appears that an almost black root is acceptable 😮 3. walking the cup, and foot pedal why ? I’ve never seen any other than Americans doing it like that… of course I’ve tried and practiced the techniques but it seems irrelevant as far as a good end result. 4. No slope down when stopping a weld, alarm bells are howling 😳 crater prevention is one thing but protecting the hot surface is another, are you taught to do things this way??? Not telling you what to do, I’m just baffled and curious 🙏 Thank you for doing a good job teaching others

[@jeffallen6754]

I’ve been welding sanitary tube for twenty one years and pipe welding for ten years before that and can tell you guys there is not one second of bad information in this video. Everything this guy said is exactly how it’s done.

[@Cptnbond]

As a young aspiring welder, this was fantastic. Please continue with more tips on sanitary welding. Cheers.

[@liamhumm6785]

FINALLY. Someone who knows what they're talking about when it comes to food grade sanitary welding. Great stuff keep up the good work!

[@bradleyfjackson]

This might be the best welding video on KZbin.

[@loganharper8054]

This could very well be the most underrated welding video on youtube.

[@lukeholm88]

Really like this video. Just wish it existed when I first started.

[@theabsentmindedprofessor8357]

This would have been most useful around 1999 when I retired from the US Navy as a tig welder, I welded Stainles, aluminum, inconel, and high carbon steel, did a massive amount of heat treating and annealing, along with some bubble work with magnesium and titanium. I worked on burn cans from Pratand Whitney Engines as well as tail pipes from EA-6B aircraft and everything else in between. I was looking for a specific fields to get into but had no direction as to what was avaliable out their. This part of this Video alone is Golden. Thank you and what you are doing is incredibly valuable to the aspiring welder in today's world. Great content!

[@tysonlws]

Great Video Drew! As someone who has been in the food grade industry side of welding/fitting for over 12 years now, I found your video brief, concise, and accurate on all topics. 10/10!

[@BlueCollarDrew]

Thanks! Its great to hear feedback from someone in the industry..

[@victorlopes8341]

Do you have a email my friend.

[@texascellarguy]

I work at Winery and have been doing a couple little projects with stainless steel ( mainly karts and tools) and I have been really worried because I can’t find any content about sanitary welding and I practiced on a keg and got “sugar” rust spots. This is an incredible video and I’ve been watching all your videos probably for the last two hours. Thank you and keep up the awesome work!!!

[@Jonatan-097]

You read my mind and answered every question i was thinking! Hands down one of the best tutorials ive seen!

[@pedrolanhas4120]

No doubt you are extremely efficient and thanks for the precious information, but your welding with no gloves? YES a video on purging with Argon for S Steel tubes is very welcome. Thank you so much from an amateur in Portugal.

[@ccrdns]

Very good video. You kept it quick simple with out missing any important info. Its so true "people that say not to walk cup is because they don't know how".

[@mikemehevic5292]

I been doing santitary tube and stainless pipe for 10 years and i learned something here. Thanks brother, God bless

[@ForgeGiven]

Great video! I appreciate your no-nonsense way of explaining the details. I would really enjoy a walking the cup tutorial from you. I've been learning multiple industries for 18 years and that is one I haven't done yet. Gotta stay flexible on the left coast 🤣

[@WorstTasteEver]

This is right up there with the indepth look at welding tests for valuable, 'how to actually do a real job' information. Thanks for your work on it.

[@jorgeamoranto]

You are one of few that I’ve seen that also doesn’t weld with gloves on. Keep it up buds.

[@Prettynoise]

Let's see a purge vid as well as what you take on the road. Great info and thanks!

[@John-xv4jm]

One of the most useful welding videos I have seen. Very helpful

[@jkprojectsnstuff697]

Great video! I'm a 24 year member of the Union Pipefitters. I have welded in some of the biggest name brand food production plants in the US. The way you explained things is the way it's done!

[@lukeholm88]

Union sucks. You should know that.

[@johnzillner1596]

@@lukeholm88 said by a true non-union rat bastard. You do realize that the pay you get (yes non-union) is determined by our union scale. Every time we negotiate a raise in pay and benefits, your non-union contractor has to try to keep up for fear of losing you. If not for the unions, you'd be making minimum wage.

[@jovannygaray4313]

Awesome video man I'm a 23 year old and been around sanitary welding for 2 years and I just busted out last June as a welder. You speak straight facts!

[@Honeyddripdiddler]

Dude despite working all day with this shit with nobody willing to teach.... I watch videos constantly. This was exactly what I wanted... like no shifty rap music... no guff.. two videos I want are the cup walk cuz I never use it.. cuz like you said I don't know it. Was never trained and just told go go go go. And also amperage... I use the max star. On 1-2 inch I'm usually 48 amps on fittings on a tur table.... I can tell if it's too cold but ... same base lines or rules of thumbs help for everything. Cheers. I'm subscribed so pump out those videos

[@rnk482]

I loved this video because I was a sanitary welder for 5 years. I'm a maintenance mechanic now because that's where the money is but I love this type of work. Once in a while the company I worked for would contract two guys, a fitter and a welder. And they made four times what I was making. I'd like to know how to get that gig.

[@EnriqueGonzalez-iu3so]

Awesome work ! I am a dentist but I love this kind of welding.. is amazing thanks for sharing! Greetings from Mexico

[@rd_hurley]

This video is great. Just got a call last night to weld some 316 6” tube. Got some great tips from this. Thanks!

[@AngelOfdeath-t7g]

Bro...your are a great welder ..that is the reason i like to work with you and Asian people

[@robertpierce4520]

Great video, no BS, no repeating yourself and very informative. Thanks. I'm interested in all three topics mentioned for future videos. Again thanks for all the information without taking much of my time.

[@Tuesday_Gaming]

Trying to insert some sensors into a research project for college that uses stainless steel pipes to transport hot gas. The guy who welded everything to start graduated and it’s look like I’m gonna have to learn to put some pipes and flanges together myself. This video helped me out a lot

[@hanford_adventures]

i love sanitary welding. Ive been doing it for about 3 years here in the PNW

[@austinmckenzie3688]

I wanna see the trailer video and the purge video. This was a great video

[@nearlynativenursery8638]

Great tips and instructional information. Thanks. I looking to buy a 44' sailboat to sail around the world and will need to know how to custom fit 1"-2" 316 ss tubing fitted to build and or repair aft arch for a solar frame. All the Very Best! Jim Rodgers

[@grumpycricket]

Fascinating! I learned so much that I didn't know about sanitary welding. I'm a tool & die welder, and I've welded hydraulic piping at stamping plants on occasion. I've always diy purged, now I can up my game ... thanks! ... and subbed!

[@DudleyToolwright]

Excellent explanations. A natural teacher.

[@MycSailor]

Great info. I’m working on stainless boat rails, top and davits. I haven’t seen this process on KZbin yet. Lots of other tig videos out there on basics. Cheers

[@charliehuntsman9827]

You should have over a million followers bro this is awesome never knew about this .

[@dominicgandy8360]

Really professional video I would love to watch any further videos you make on this subject Thanks for this

[@allenhover3230]

This is absolutely awesome information. Every time I try to find info on this topic for my students there’s nothing available. Not anymore. I’m gonna be showing this video to all my students running sanitary welding from now on. Thank you so much man!

[@pcorps999]

New subscriber here. And that is a most definitely on a video on purging! Great content seriously !

[@noride11]

What a treasure trove! Thanks Drew

[@Flyingdinosaur69]

Crazy you can walk the cup so fast keeping the tungsten out of the pool. Impresses me so much. The quality you get out of basic machines and consumables is testament to your skill.

[@sjagain]

Check the angle he uses...Pretty easy to avoid contamination, but I guarantee he experiences LOTS of dips.

[@brandonstrickland6444]

To the point and honest! love it. Also, the dig at guys that can't walk the cup! lol

[@Oneminutetofixit]

Good explanation on the process. I was surprised that all your welding has to be a position weld even on the bench. I have always filed all butt ends to flatten the surface for maximum seating of the tube. Some factory elbows from Waukesha aren't perfectly flat to start out with. The tail/ drag off is so critical, it's probably the most important part especially when having to polish ID and OD. Passivation of surface is ok in the shop but factories are always skeptical about chemicals that fume around the food processor. Also important for people to know if you work with stainless and do sanitary work it is imperative that all tools used in a food plant have to be dedicated for that. Rust doesn't look good if you're wire brush and grinder/polishing materials were used on regular metals. Awesome video!!! I subscribed!

[@dirtbike9432]

We need a purge video!

[@thomasryktarczyk]

Ty a lot I have a job tomorrow in sanitary bill follow your direction

[@rockyrodriguez1340]

Please keep making more videos on this, as many as you can, even if it’s on tips on how to feel more comfortable kneeling anything that has to do with sanitary tube and pipe I’m all eyes and ears!!!

[@alexmckeithan1317]

As an aluminum tig welder that has never welded stainless. I found this video very helpful

[@damienkirk7712]

Great vid! Just started tig welding. I’m doing a 4” exhaust down pipe with a bunch of pie cuts. I have it all tacked up and I made aluminum plugs on the lathe to bolt onto vbands. I’m pretty nervous to finish it so I’m going to practice a bunch before I get in there. I don’t know if the back purge is needed on a car exhaust part, but I figured why not.

[@BlueCollarDrew]

Awesome! Always a good idea to purge SS

[@chris.heffernan]

Yeah man, smoother the better for flow.

[@jeretpolivka2225]

Only true video out there about this topic🔥

[@donleejr7624]

AWESOME THANKS!!!!! I DO THIS IN MY SLEEP!!!!!

[@JOROZC7009]

Been doing this for 4 years now, oh how I wish you would've posted this then lol Very good video and very informative

[@val3stef]

is the maxstar 161s a high frequency machine or do you have to used the 161sth?

[@johnw4590]

Straight to the point! Excellent video

[@levijeska8961]

Great video! Was half tempted to do a video of my own. But you covered everything a guy needs to know

[@AlessioSangalli]

No amp control (foot pedal)?

[@stevemucyk963]

Would like to hear your opinion on purging. Also some details on material thickness, amperage and tungsten type/diameter, gas pressure. Cheers, Steve

[@mddenis1]

I'm glad I have come across this video. So little good videos on sanitary welding on youtube. Two questions - what if fitting is not perfect and there is some gap? And how are repairs done on sanitary?

[@BlueCollarDrew]

Thanks for watching! Good questions. Worst case scenario, you can’t rework the line and you need to fill a small gap. I do 1 pass with minimal filler followed by 1 final pass with no filler. Might make a video on this. As far as repairs go.. i usually cut out and rework the parts that need repaired.

[@bartletscott]

Great video Thank you! Please continue with the videos!

[@mattfuchs7626]

Great explanation and explaining tail off and how to avoid sugar

[@andyherbert2304]

That was an awesome intro thank you

[@calebc6028]

hoping to get on my first job here soon

[@timothyhendershott9333]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Most guy are pretty stingy and guard anything that might help. Keep the video coming. Thanks again. Sparky

[@pauloliveira4147]

Drew, Thank you so much for this awesome video, that was some great info. Please keep the videos coming.

[@jaykay8550]

Bro, You'r vid's are freaking great with lots of info. Keep it up!!

[@nathana.keenjr.4841]

Very informative, defiantly answered my main question of how to execute while keeping post flow!.

[@giffordsamuelson2163]

Please make a video on how to purge. I’m working on a welding certificate right now and I really want to work in this field

[@precisionarc]

Great video, haven't done sanitary but a fair amount of pipe requiring purging and have always wanted to know more about this...subscribed! Would be very interested in how to achieve the right purge pressure

[@misplacedpawn]

Informative, straightforward, and very helpful. Thanks a ton man!

[@albertbeever5463]

Hi Drew, I have a need to weld stainless steel tubing that is 5mm with .5mm wall. I do have an internal sleve at the weld joints. This is hobby work that soldering is not doing the job I want. What type of welding would you recomend that I try and do?

[@midnighttutor]

Great video. At 4:00 when you are discussing your setup do you also have a 25 foot cable for a pedal? I do not see any trigger or switch on your ck17. If you are doing scratch start with no amperage control other than what you dialed into the welder can you sometime please describe how you keep a consistent puddle and avoid burning through? Thank you.

[@danielsplayhouse3804]

This is the first video I've ever seen that explains about sanitary welding also too it's very interesting can you use the same technique to weld titanium the same way?

[@zacharytroiano4895]

Fantastic video, great work

[@clauderamsey9904]

Good video. Please comment why L type stainless (i.e 304-L) is required in sanitary welding. Thanks.

[@75blackviking]

Excellent video. The information density here is really high. I'm probably going to need to watch it more than once to get it to all sink in. As for that purge video idea, and the cup walking video, that would help the rest of us mere mortals out.

[@BlueCollarDrew]

Thanks! Purge Video was posted recently!

[@ieatslag5947]

This is a suuuper solid video. Glad it was recommended to me.

[@adamsheffield4704]

Pharma grade sanitary will usually be done with an automated orbital welder. Hand welds in lower criticality process lines or where the weld head won’t fit.

[@cheyennewhite9167]

Working doing sanitary at a brewery now. I'd love to see what you bring with you on the road. Also, any tips on getting a little better pipefitting training? I like how you lay things out with iso paper.

[@terencemcleod1341]

Hey Drew make a cup walking piece, I'm sure you will explain it as well as you have this one💯

[@sloppydoggy9257]

ty bro. I'm guessing this technique works with any material that can be tig welded? 4130, Titanium, aluminum, etc?

[@krispribanic9288]

Enjoyed the video, keep them coming.

[@edusab5310]

Excelente vídeo Gracias por compartir tus conocimientos saludos desde Venezuela 🇻🇪

[@simeonpadmore1419]

Drew.. Thank you. I have subscribed, and would like a video on how to walk the cup. I can freehand alright and my carbon Tig is decent, but my stainless and walking the cup need work.

[@aaronhoward7562]

My vote is for the purge video🤘🏼

[@edgarargumedo1315]

Great video!!!!!! Not much out there about sanitary

[@jason41295]

I would like to see your tig rig setup

[@JasonWilliams-ix4bx]

How do you go about getting into sanitary pipe welding?

[@summersoldier3311]

Have you done the video on purging?

[@BlueCollarDrew]

Yes

[@scottmurphy1563]

Great video! Thank you for posting💯 I am currently learning on my own to tig weld sanitary tubing at work. You're video has been the most informative by far. Great angles of the welding process also. Thanks again!

[@catsmoothies3414]

very helpful thanks for sharing your experience.

[@haxguy0]

Wow this was very informative. Thank you

[@jesusolivo2461]

Can do you a video on how you set up a purge for the small ferrells ??

[@2424DMC]

I actually got a yes welder just to see if I really wanted to tig, I’ve since got an everlast 161 and it’s been an awesome machine. The live lift is great for this.

[@barryhulett2986]

‘Don’t hit the Subscribe button. That’s the best way to tell me you don’t like my content’ 😂 I subscribed immediately.

[@shenaemcdonald6640]

In New Zealand we always use filler wire to weld sanitary tubing

[@liamjenkins82]

Do you know why. I recently worked with another kiwi over in Aus, and he said the same but didn't really know the reason.

[@samb8414]

Walking the cup tutorial please!!

[@nelsonserrano7551]

How hot you run on a 2” tubing?

[@robedmiston8023]

What type and diameter of tungsten are you using? Thanks for the video

[@BlueCollarDrew]

2% thoriated 3/32

[@robedmiston8023]

Thank you! I work at a brewery and I’m starting to get into tig welding. One other question, do you think the cup size makes it easier or harder to walk?

[@BlueCollarDrew]

I find bigger cups are easier to walk. Gives a larger surface area to make contact. But a mid size cup is usually what i prefer. (8-10)

[@shhadyest]

What is the perge pressure you use?

[@1stMolten_Alchemist]

Totally down for a purge video! Excellent welding content for anyone who's inspired by pro tips. Thanks man!

[@sss-op6km]

probably the best video out there