wit2003
Well-known member
Does anyone in the NE Ohio area do sanitary welding? I am looking to add a port onto my SS Brew kettle and would rather not pay shipping both ways to go back to the manufacturer.
Sanitary Welding
- Thread starter wit2003
- Start date
rmack898
Well-known member
Paging Dr. Clyde, Paging Dr. Clyde
LOL you have to say it three times before he pops up
Stealership stealership stealership......
Oops wrong guy....
While more than qualified, Dr. Clyde is in SW Michigan.
op, post a local ad on FB marketplace or the like. There are tons of professional welders that have a rig at home for stuff like this, especially since home brewing became the in thing.
op, post a local ad on FB marketplace or the like. There are tons of professional welders that have a rig at home for stuff like this, especially since home brewing became the in thing.
dr_clyde
Well-known member
I'd be happy to help if I was closer, unfortunately I'm a little far away.
I would stop by a few small breweries in the area and see who they use for their welding. Most of the big places use mechanical contractors, but some of the smaller guys still use a small outfit that may be willing to give you a hand.
I do work for some pretty big companies and I'm a small shop, so its very possible.
Be prepared for even a seemingly small job like this to take a couple hours labor. It takes longer than you think to do some of this stuff. Depending on what size ferrule you want and where you want to put it, it could go from a very easy job to having to purge the vessel, grinding the ferrule to fit the curve, sanding and blending, etc. It all adds up, and this kind of metalwork is not something most shops know how to deal with so it commands a premium rate.
I would stop by a few small breweries in the area and see who they use for their welding. Most of the big places use mechanical contractors, but some of the smaller guys still use a small outfit that may be willing to give you a hand.
I do work for some pretty big companies and I'm a small shop, so its very possible.
Be prepared for even a seemingly small job like this to take a couple hours labor. It takes longer than you think to do some of this stuff. Depending on what size ferrule you want and where you want to put it, it could go from a very easy job to having to purge the vessel, grinding the ferrule to fit the curve, sanding and blending, etc. It all adds up, and this kind of metalwork is not something most shops know how to deal with so it commands a premium rate.
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
Would you typically have to weld the bung on the inside of the kettle (to keep it sanitary) or can you get away with just welding the bung to the exterior?
I am not looking for a cheap way out....also not looking to get ripped off. I understand this is a skill that not many have. Basically looking to avoid paying shipping both ways to Milwaukee from Ohio.
Good call on checking with local breweries....I actually know a few owners in the area!
Good call on checking with local breweries....I actually know a few owners in the area!
bczygan
Well-known member
Call the local voc-tech schools or community colleges with welding programs. Might get it done for free.
Bill
Bill
dr_clyde
Well-known member
You want both sides to be welded, so there's no seams or crevices to harbor bacteria.
This isn't as critical before or during the boil, but is super critical during fermentation, conditioning and packaging, as the beer is much more susceptible to infections after the boil.
Typically if the tank is big enough, you can just weld both sides and polish then out, as you can physically fit a person inside to weld it out.
However, on most small vessels or pipes, you can't get to the inside so both must be done from the outside in one pass. You purge the pipe/tank with argon, and prep the joint such that the inside of the root ties in and is fully consumed from the outside as you weld. This makes it smooth and sanitary if done correctly.
Problem is this is time consuming and difficult to do well.
I'm happy to hear the OP say he's willing to pay the right price to get this done correctly, as most home brewing guys get scared off by the couple hundred bucks it takes to do this job the right way.
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
Interesting, thanks!
turbowoodworker
Well-known member
I actually bought my TIG from a guy employed to do this kind of work. Not at a brewery but at a chicken processing plant. I would hook you up but again, not local
thejimmy
Well-known member
dr_clyde
Well-known member
Jonathan and Superior would be an outstanding choice if he's willing to take it on. He does top notch work.
sberry
Banned
Wonder how they feel about walk in for a bung on a home beer boiler? Stop what they are doing and put a guy on that?
dr_clyde
Well-known member
Depends on a lot of factors. Big shops with lots of work are less likely to want to deal with walk ins, but you'll find lots of smaller places are happy to help if you're paitent and willing to pay shop rate.
I make the same money per hour working for a big company as I do an individual. If they're willing to wait for a break in the action I'll try and squeeze little jobs like this in when I have some time.
I don't want to stop a big job just to take an hour for a little bracket or whatever but if you're willing to work with my schedule and understand that your job is less priority than the big client, we can do business.
I have found these little jobs can lead to very big jobs. CEOs, purchasing agents, and other businessfolks have hobbies and needs. I have gotten lots of work welding up a part for a hot rod or whatever just to find out that guy is in purchasing for a big company that needs fab shop vendors.
It pays to pay attention and take care of customers. Even the little ones.
dr_clyde
Well-known member
You bring up a good point, that this is more crucial for after the boil.....
Since this is for my boil kettle, I wonder if I have to worry about full on sanitary weld or if I'm ok with a standard weld....
I personally would make it as sanitary as I can. Makes it easier to clean.
bggrnchvy
Well-known member
We build/service integrated wine filtration systems.
If somebody walks in and is ok with the hourly rate, I'll find a spot for them in the schedule within 24hrs. The shop makes better money on hourly rate stuff than production machines.
You bring up a good point, that this is more crucial for after the boil.....
Since this is for my boil kettle, I wonder if I have to worry about full on sanitary weld or if I'm ok with a standard weld....
It's stainless. Best case you get a thin oxide layer on the inside and a big(well small, but large for bacteria/mold) spot for funk to grow. Worst case, they burn through and overheat the weld, it sugars and now you have a really unsanitary porous area for stuff to grow and you get carbide precipitation so the HAZ is no longer resistant to oxidizing (rusts).
It has to be welded in, the difference in whether you purge it or not is not breaking the budget but it will drastically affect the outcome. Anybody familiar with welding stainless process pipe/tube should be able to handle it.
sberry
Banned
I agree there are a lot of shops be glad to do it, its not for everyone.