Do welders make good caulkers?

[vavet]

I've dabbled with welding a few times in my life. I can make two pieces of metal stick together. I know enough about it to know that I don't know much about it, but I have a lot of respect for those who can do it and do it well.

Caulking is another one of those things that are hard to master. There are principles for how to do it, but you can make a mess of things quickly.

Don't know why, but it occurred to me that the techniques for applying caulk are similar to techniques for welding. Welding is little hotter and a little harder to see, but otherwise similar.

What say you?

 

[Catfishdan]

You can smooth a bead of caulk with your finger. A bead of weld... Not so much.

 

[ER70S-2]

You can also grind down welds, but that's cheesy. I always think about how caulking is kind of like welding when I caulk. I try to lay it down nice so I don't have to smooth it depending on what I'm caulking... same with my welds. If you're good, you don't have to do anything else to it.

 

[BLUE72CAMARO]

My dad can weld but not what I would call pretty be any means. But being a retired glazier he can run beads of caulk that look like a machine did it with out having to go back and smooth out anything. The old saying practice makes perfect applies to both of these skills I believe.

 

[kkroger]

I'd end up with an Evenly spaced Ripple Pattern in the Caulk....

 

[VR6ix]

I'd end up with an Evenly spaced Ripple Pattern in the Caulk....

Reminded me of this YouTube funny video:

 

[Pitalplace]

My wife says that I can do the welding but she will do the caulking. Something about I can't caulk and I don't try. OK I will stay out of her way

 

[Trey T]

Caulking is a developed skill. If I just pick up a caulking gun after months of practice, I would do a pretty bad job w/o cleaning it up (typically w/ finger).

The difficulty is applying w/ appropriate sealant flow and caulk gun push rate- all at the same time to create a perfect chamfer.

 

[rockettgpw]

Ha, On a lot of the cheaper made Chinese shipping containers the 'welding' IS caulk.

 

[Brian_WK]

A roll of tape is what makes me a pretty caulker just like the grinder makes me a pretty welder...

Brian

 

[Earp69]

A good caulk gun Is key

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[Musicinabottle]

As a carpenter for years, I thing caulking things lead the way to me being able to weld. I'm one of those that can caulk like a machine.

 

[dogdog]

I am glad they invented that caulk finishing tool...

 

[purplezr2]

I used self tooling caulk recommended by the manufacture of my siding, I started on the back of the house, there are a few spots I'm not proud of, but 99% of the house looks better then most of the construction I have seen locally. It was not hard to pickup the technique, I would say easier then welding.

 

[f150skidoo]

Short answer no, I can lay weld beads all day but I can't caulk worth a ****.

 

[Musicinabottle]

Short answer no, I can lay weld beads all day but I can't caulk worth a ****.

Oh, you can caulk, you just don't know it yet. Believe in yourself. Get pissed. You can do this!

 

[ADSR]

I've caulked 100's of windows and thousands of feet of base, trim and siding. The key is, start with a small hole and get a gun with the anti-drip option. Cut a 45* on the tip and then it's all about hand control. Caulking is all straight runs, welding.. I draw circles or C's.

 

[jd_1138]

A good caulk gun Is key

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Yep. Get the drip less quality ones. They're only like $5 more. I don't find caulking hard when you use a nice caulk gun and cut the tip of the caulking tube to the right size.

 

[koditten]

I can weld awesome, but can't caulk for ****.

 

[Musicinabottle]

I have 4 of the vintage Newborn caulk guns. Made in England, non syphon. I hate those anti drip guns. Pieces of ****.

 

[taumac]

I can caulk really good but learning how to weld better. I use a non ratcheting style gun. I learned this while working for a painter. You hold the gun somewhere between 45 and 90 degrees to the joint depending on angle you can get. Then use finger or damp cloth to just smooth everything over.

 

[Earp69]

I don't use the anti drips either. Best way I've found to seal an open tube of caulk is a large wire nut, works great for months. What do you guys use?

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[Notgrownup]

I’m pretty good at drinking beer or Bourbon.

 

[jmarkwolf]

I've dabbled with welding a few times in my life. I can make two pieces of metal stick together. I know enough about it to know that I don't know much about it, but I have a lot of respect for those who can do it and do it well.

Caulking is another one of those things that are hard to master. There are principles for how to do it, but you can make a mess of things quickly.

Don't know why, but it occurred to me that the techniques for applying caulk are similar to techniques for welding. Welding is little hotter and a little harder to see, but otherwise similar.

What say you?

When I was about 12 years old, my dad made a big deal one day about wanting to teach me how to replace and glaze a broken window.

He showed me how to push the glazier points in, and how to apply the putty, and use the putty knife, etc. He did one side of the pane, then I did the remaining 3 sides. He seemed particularly pleased for some reason.

I found out from my mom many years later, that he had tried the same "experiment" with my two older brothers. They couldn't get the hang of it.

Don't tell them!

 

[johnyg]

im pretty good at calking but better at drinking beer. bourbon ,like welding is too hard.

 

[ER70S-2]

I don't use the anti drips either. Best way I've found to seal an open tube of caulk is a large wire nut, works great for months. What do you guys use?

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Two pieces of electrical tape stretched tight in an X shape over the tip and then a long piece tightly wrapped around the tip to hold the X on.

 

[Brian_WK]

Two pieces of electrical tape stretched tight in an X shape over the tip and then a long piece tightly wrapped around the tip to hold the X on.

I just stick a 3 inch wood screw in the tip. I store all my caulk in a air tight box. Silicone needs moisture to cure. When I go to use the tube I just grab the screw and pull out the silicone plug that has formed 1/2 inch in.

Brian

 

[RW-7]

 

[FRANKIEWHIPIT]

#truth

 

[okie18]

Here's another dilemma. Should you push or pull the caulk gun for proper sealing

 

[AMCguy]

I dunno. "Hold my beer while I caulk this." just doesn't have the same ring to it.

 

[taumac]

lmao

 

[NASTYZEN]

Well, I can weld or braze just about anything and get paid for it. You would think I could make a decent project out of caulking. HA! NOT!
I am really good at making a damned mess with caulking .