Jasic True Colour Welding Headshield

Jasic has recently launched it's latest 'True Colour View' auto darkening welding and grinding helmet. The latest model offers smart microchip technology and a new external switch for selecting grind mode. This new technologically enhanced (Second Edition) welding/grinding helmet provides improved visibility, increased productivity and comes with a comprehensive 3 year ADF filter warranty.

 

You can purchase the Jasic JH-HDX welding helmet on the SCION SUPPLY website just click on this link.

Welding Cast Iron

Welding Cast Iron has quite a few potential pitfalls, but if done correctly, it’s not difficult.

Why is Welding Cast Iron problematic

The key reason why welding cast iron can be problematic is the high carbon content. During the welding process, this carbon migrates into the weld metal and/or the heat affected zone adjacent to the weld metal, causing elevated hardness/brittleness. This is how Cast Iron gets its reputation for post weld cracking.

Process for Welding Cast Iron

Gas Welding heats the Cast Iron slower than Arc based processes and the flame is lower temperature than an arc. This means Carbon migration is not normally a problem. Use of a proprietary Cast iron Gas Welding rod is important. The only real downsides to Gas Welding Cast Iron is the amount of heat needed if components are large. Gas Welding is also a slow process.

Arc/Stick Welding is, arguably, the best all-round process for Welding Cast Iron, provided the correct welding rods are used. Cast iron Welding Rods have a special Graphite rich flux, this graphite chemically ties up the Carbon in the Cast Iron, limiting migration into the weld metal and heat affected zone. There are two common types of Cast iron Welding Rod, Ferro-Nickel and Pure Nickel. Ferro-Nickel are typically 53% Steel and 47% Nickel. Ferro-Nickel Rods are cheaper than pure Nickel and are ideal for welding Cast Iron to Steel. Pure Nickel will produce a softer, more malleable weld deposit. I would advocate using Ferro-Nickel, unless the job specifically requires Pure Nickel.

Mig Welding is, in my opinion, not a great way to weld Cast Iron. Whilst there are specialist Flux Cored Wires available, unless you have a repeating application that you can create a procedure for, I would not advocate Mig Welding Cast iron.

Tig Welding is not considered a suitable process for Welding Cast Iron. An open arc process such as Tig offers no opportunity to mitigate Carbon migration.

Welding Techniques

Gas Welding – There are no specific techniques that need to be deployed.

Arc/Stick Welding – All of the following are important:

Prep the job with a ‘U’ shaped groove, avoid sharp corners as this can lead to heat build up which will exacerbate carbon migration.

Use the correct type of welding rod.
Ensure the component is AT LEAST at room temperature, adding a small amount of pre-heat will help, but you only need the component to be warm to the touch.
Limit the amount of welding done in one run. As a rule of thumb, do not put down a continuous run that has a length greater than 10x the diameter of the welding rod being used. Having said that, it’s ok to put down multiple runs in different parts of the component (see graphic in next item). Eg, if repairing a 300mm crack with a 3.2mm rod, you can weld a run of 32mm, then do another 32mm run in another part of the crack. Avoid letting the weld area get too hot, this is the purpose of short runs.
If you’re repairing crack, run a bead across each end of the crack to avoid the crack spreading further.

Keep the welding rod vertical, not at an angle, like you would for most stick welding.
Don’t expect to weld cast iron quickly, the key is to take you time and do it properly.

I hope you found this blog article about Welding Cast Iron useful, if things work out well for you, please feel free to post some pictures of your achievements on our Facebook Page or tweet us @ScionSupply

Please let me know what you thought of this article by leaving a comment. Don’t worry, your email address won’t be added to a database or shared and you won’t receive any unsolicited email.

If you need cast iron electrodes, both main types are available on our website

Keeping Focus: On or In the Business?

I'm puzzling over a bit of a dilemma this weekend.

I have two distinct aspects to my business born of the expertise of myself and my co-director. The organisation was set up as an engineering firm, but as I have become increasingly involved, and since I sold my shares in another company I owned which sold tools and engineering supplies, I have been increasingly interested in developing a sales dimension to L&B Technical Services Ltd, using our expertise to supply tools and welding consumables to trade, industry and commerce in the South East of England and up the East Coast (Suffolk/ Northamptonshire/ Linciolnshire/ Herefordshire/ Peterborough/ Norfolk). A couple of years ago now I merged a third business I own with L&B Technical Services Ltd, which also sells engineering and welding products. Obviously this is an allied area of industry and there are distinct advantages to the amalgamation in terms of sourcing product.

We have secured some important distributorships, notably Huntingdon Fusion Techniques superb range of Pipe Purging Equipment and Kemppi, probably the most popular brand of welding plant in the world today!

Our engineering function is currently much larger than our supplies function, but I would like to see that change and have been dabbling quite a bit, employing different sales people and admin staff to see if I could find someone who would really make it roar ahead. I haven't.

In fact the sales thing is quite extraordinary. How does one find a decent sales person these days? Even with my extensive connections in the marketplace, I don't even know anyone good enough to poach even if I could! I think the model used to be that someone would join a trade counter and learn about products and services, eventually seeking promotion to field sales. Things are very different today with on-line buying and the job of the sales rep seems largely redundant. Still, the same old players are out there earning a living, so there must be something to say for the tried and tested way of doing things.

So now I face a dilemma. I could just leave the sales function bubbling along as it is and through all my energy and commitment into the engineering aspect of the business, or I could do what I do best and get out there and sell to the customers myself. This would be fun and I know I can do it, but can I continue to effectively work on the Company and work in it at the same time? Taking your eye off the ball can be the worst mistake anyone makes in business, but does getting more involved with the work of the Company mean taking my eye off the ball or being more on it?

Another part of the equation is that I feel quite stagnant in the office. I would like to get out and about and shake things up a bit; see where I can take it. It could be a healthy and valuable change for me to get out a bit and see the customers, after all who has more passion and belief in L&B Technical Services Ltd and the products we supply than me?

If you would like to know more about the products and services we offer at L&B Technical Services Ltd, please do not hesitate to call and arrange a meeting, or check out our website here for mechanical and electrical engineering, facilities maintenance and engineering consultancy and here for hand and power tools, fixings and fasteners, abrasives, welding plant and consumable and other allied products.

Field Sales Manager Vacancy

L&B Technical Services Ltd is a dynamic, growing wholesale supplier of industrial consumables to major industry. The Company’s success is a result of the implementation of a unique strategy which builds strong relationships with leading international manufacturers, and offers unparalleled service to our clients. 

L&B Technical Services has a unique attitude to staff which focuses on recognising talent & nurturing it, inspiring & motivating individuals to get the best from them. We firmly believe that success comes from building a strong, happy team of motivated and talented individuals who are committed to achieving. Our Company strategy is born of an intellectual conviction that labour takes precedence over capital, people are more important than things, and that work is more than just an activity or commodity; it is an essential dimension of human nature. L&B Technical Services functions on an integral ideology which encourages and fosters the dignity of every human being.

As the Company continues to grow and expand, a fantastic and unique opportunity has arisen for a Field Sales Engineer based at our exciting new premises, ideally located in the busy industrial centre of Basildon, Essex.

Having led the independent market for over twenty years, the directors of L&B Technical are now beginning a new chapter of development for the Company. An unprecedented three year run of success and growth has opened the door to an experienced Sales Executive to cover the local area, with opportunities for further development throughout the South East.

You will be selling an extensive portfolio of products including Welding Plant and Consumables with the full back up of leading manufacturers, including Kemppi, GYS, Migatronic and HFT. You will also be required to develop sales of Weld Purging Equipment, Abrasives, Hand and Power Tools and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Our target markets are Industrial Fabrication organisations, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Process Engineering, Construction, Facilities Maintenance, Pipeline and Sheet Metal sectors. Our approach is to find the best product for the client and sell it based on it’s features and benefits, suitability, and the value it will add for them.

L&B has an extensive presence in the City of London as well as a base in Peterborough. 

The Candidate
The Field Sales Engineer will have a passion for welding technology and process. A previous experience and a successful track record of networking, developing new business, sales and account management, and deep knowledge of market as it relates to Welding Plant & Consumables, Abrasive Products, Hand & Power Tools, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). You will be a tenacious individual looking for career advancement, self-motivated and target-driven, who thrives on working within a fast paced and rapidly changing environment, building client relationships & delivering continued improvement.

The Package
As Field Sales Engineer you will be rewarded with a basic salary of between £25,000 and £35,000, (This is negotiable based on previous experience with the possibility of a higher base for a truly exceptional candidate) with a generous, uncapped commission structure bringing OTE to around £45,000. Benefits include Pension, car, laptop and phone.

We are looking for an individual who is interested in joining a dynamic team at a key moment in development. You will have an extensive customer base with a proven track record of success in the industry. You will be working alongside the directors under your own initiative in order to grow the business in an environment where success will be richly rewarded. You will join the directors in sourcing new manufacturers and developing relationships with international suppliers and manufacturers as well as customers.

Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity! Apply now!

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, contact us immediately and we will arrange an interview.

Job Title - Field Sales Engineer
Products - Industrial Consumables including Welding Equipment, Welding Supplies, Abrasive Equipment, Power Tools, PPE, Personal Protective Equipment
Location - Primarily Essex/ Suffolk/ Kent but not fixed.

Package - £25,000-£35,000 basic AAE, uncapped OTE £45,000, Pension, Car, Laptop, Phone.

To apply, send your email to info@landbtechnical.com or using LinkedIn.

The Difference Welding with Trailing Shields Makes

I was recently at Huntingdon Fusion Techniques factory in Bury Port for an update on their products and to see an old friend and business mentor, Ron Sewell. Ron is hugely respected in the industry and is often contacted by multi-national organisations for advice on weld purging practice. I have known him for about 16 years and consider him a good friend. He is a great innovator with deep technical knowledge. This is reflected in his organisation, which is constantly evolving and innovating. It is this professionalism, depth of technical knowledge, and constant innovation, that makes me proud to sell products manufactured by Huntingdon Fusion Techniques.

One insight gained during my visit was with regard to Argweld® Trailing Shields.

Argweld® Trailing Shields allow the user to weld faster, save money and produce bright shiny welds. They are suitable for welding titanium, nickel, and cobalt alloys, stainless and duplex steels and other reactive metals.

Using these devices saves re-work, reduces gas use, and saves wasted material costs by avoiding rejected welds due to oxidation.

Flat models for sheet or plate work are available as well as profiled models for the welding of both internal and external pipes, vessels and tanks.

By using Argweld® Trailing Shields, welds will be left bright and shiny without discolouration and oxidation even when welding at faster speeds.

We keep Argweld® Trailing Shields in stock for most popular sizes of pipes and vessels. I don't think there's any more graphic demonstration of their value than the results of our tests at HFT:

Without an Argweld® Trailing Shield:

With an Argweld® Trailing Shield: