Underwater welding, has anyone here ever done it?

[alcova]

I seem to have less of a problem picturing welding underwater than... How do you use a cutting torch underwater without the water cooling off everything as fast as you try to heat it.

[Wirecutter]

More on topic here - is underwater welding one of the uses for Thermite? I know it's used on some very large scale welding, like some bridges, and it's very difficult to put out once it's going. It burns underwater, doesn't it?

What is the heat source for UW?

As for safety equipment, maybe you have to worry less about molten slag getting in your shoe...

[Wirecutter]

Hoffman? Hoffman where are you?

3Phase - it's the same here. Air you can wear.

-M

If you live on the East coast and you're doing any welding outside right now (MIG, TIG, Stick, O/A), then that's basically underwater welding... I feel more dry taking a shower than I do being outside right now

-Adrian

[Your Old Dog]

One of my friends just finished up a stint in the Naval Reserves and he taught underwater welding and repair of ships for several years. He got out about the time the Islamic terriorst that we can't profile popped a hole in the Cole.

[Boucher]

Texas State Technical Instute at waco had a course in underwater welding. The campus is on the old James Connally AFB. They had a Lab in an old fuel storage tank. There was a portal in the tank where you could watch them practice. Lots of safety issues but the guys that do repairs on the offshore rigs get top dollar. Had a friend that went thru the course decided to go into welding quality control after he got out.

[fencepost]

Underwater welding has mystified me for years. I've seen photos of it, seen the results (on the surface, the thought of breathing underwater is not natural to me). I ponder things like the welders goggles, how do they work with a mask or hood? AC or DC? How do you shield the molten pool? Insulating yourself from the electrode? Is salt water easier to weld in, or is fresh, or does it matter?

I've done some reading on it, but most implies the reader has experience. I peed on an electric fence once, does that count as experience (I was very young - haven't done it since, guess I learned from that experience, eh)?

Can anyone share any thoughts and ideas?

Just wondering,

Axel