Why do we never see the welder?

[Sparkey]

Right, i'm a discovery channel fan....but coulden't help but wonder why do we never see the welders in those big construction engineering programs???
You'll see them briefly, lol in a flash and that's it!
The only people we see actually do some welding give the wrong example, welding without helmets, etc (yes, we all know those "shows"!)
I wish they would make something interesting about real welders!
Think i just have to contact discovery and invite them on our forum!
Whatcha think lads.... ahem, and lasses! (sorry Debs)

 

[Debs.]

Right, i'm a discovery channel fan....but coulden't help but wonder why do we never see the welders in those big construction engineering programs???
You'll see them briefly, lol in a flash and that's it!
The only people we see actually do some welding give the wrong example, welding without helmets, etc (yes, we all know those "shows"!)
I wish they would make something interesting about real welders!
Think i just have to contact discovery and invite them on our forum!
Whatcha think lads....

I agree, welders seem only shown as an aside from the 'real' action....even shows like 'American Hotrod' only show quick shots of a bit of MIG-tacking or TIG`ing an exhaust........I`d love to watch professional welders working.
There should be a "Welding Channel".....perhaps with the popular programme; "Sparkey`s tack-time

 

[rtbcomp]

Those programmes would be too teccy for the general public if they made them more interesting for us.

 

[rtbcomp]

........perhaps with the popular programme; "Sparkey`s tack-time

Starring Miss Tiggywinks

 

[Sparkey]

LOL yeah! i like that..... Sparkey's tack time!

 

[tigler]

I once had a conversation with a TV producer which was very enlightening. Basically they just have to dumb it down to a level that will attract the casual viewer and not intimidate them to change channel. Things have to be as entertaining as possible so as to indulge the instant gratification that the average TV viewer has become accustomed to. Everything has to be dramatic , punchy and sensationalised to keep the viewers interest. Very little of the tech stuff on TV can hold my interest due to this policy. It's all too basic or simplified. American Hotrod is just bilge !! The only REALLY skilled guys in that shop were Roy , god rest his soul , and Mike the CNC dude. As soon as I saw them soldering wires with a micro blow torch I virtually stopped watching it !! They don't (didn't , due to Boyds death the company has closed) build engines or transmissions , they just buy in parts and built Boydsters !! There were some really dreadful cars coming out of there , I mean what is it with American colour scheme taste ??!! They think colour matching everything is good ??!! That Yellow Vette had a yellow engine , even a yellow prop shaft FFS !! And what isn't painted the same colour is chromed !! Arrrrrgggghhh !!!
Horizon and Equinox used to get close to what I like to see , but even they have jumped on the reality bandwagon

 

[pedrobedro]

I like the shots in programmes like NCIS where they are in the workshop and someone is always up a gantry aimlessly grinding a piece of metal and making massive showers of sparks like magnesium flares. They ought to make it more like a spectator thing like the darts with everyone sat in the audience in welding goggles "How many amps are you using there Tony ?" " One hundred and eightyyyyyyy" or a " So you think you can weld" format, sorry that was Scrapheap challenge wasn't it ?

I tried to watch American Hotrod because I like cars but what they were doing was wrong. They were all wannabe actors trying to hog the camera and welding in T shirts with no gloves is just dumb. I didn't mind the paint guy but even he admitted they were bodging with filler most of the time.

 

[tigler]

Ah yes , the token aimless grinder !! Followed closely by the aimless spanner twirler , wrenching something on a carb with a 32mm open ender !!

 

[slim_boy_fat]

...perhaps with the popular programme; "Sparkey`s tack-time

I like that, but it'd probably end up as something to do with horses....

 

[Shox Dr]

I once had a conversation with a TV producer which was very enlightening. Basically they just have to dumb it down to a level that will attract the casual viewer and not intimidate them to change channel. Things have to be as entertaining as possible so as to indulge the instant gratification that the average TV viewer has become accustomed to. Everything has to be dramatic , punchy and sensationalised to keep the viewers interest. Very little of the tech stuff on TV can hold my interest due to this policy. It's all too basic or simplified. American Hotrod is just bilge !! The only REALLY skilled guys in that shop were Roy , god rest his soul , and Mike the CNC dude. As soon as I saw them soldering wires with a micro blow torch I virtually stopped watching it !! They don't (didn't , due to Boyds death the company has closed) build engines or transmissions , they just buy in parts and built Boydsters !! There were some really dreadful cars coming out of there , I mean what is it with American colour scheme taste ??!! They think colour matching everything is good ??!! That Yellow Vette had a yellow engine , even a yellow prop shaft FFS !! And what isn't painted the same colour is chromed !! Arrrrrgggghhh !!!
Horizon and Equinox used to get close to what I like to see , but even they have jumped on the reality bandwagon

Nail on the head right there Tigler. It really gets me when they fabricate a problem, which to anyone with an once of common can see it's bull. Jesus they must think the veiwer must be thick

 

[pete3000]

Don't get me started too.....

......too late, a 4x4 is born was dreadful, mark evans "rushing this off to the gearbox shop". Whilst ramming all the "cough" carefully dismantled parts such as the carbs and the manifolds, with a pallet truck.

No technical value but it looked good for 5 seconds, even the ashcroft bit was sped up so the whole process was over in 10 seconds. And heres one I made earlier. Drivel

Pete

 

[onenastyviper]

4x4 wasn't 'that' bad.

Anyway, the tv producer was right, tv is dumbed (spelling?) down for the masses and I think the masses are getting 'dumber'.
For example, one channel has a hit with people dancing then 'every' channel must have a dancing programme. After all if there wasn't the audience then there would not be the show!
It is a worry when supposedly serious documentary programs (Panorama, Horizon etc.) become very sensationalist.
Look what happened to Tomorrow's World, it disappeared but it has since been replaced with programmes like 'The Gadget Show' the Tomorrow's World for todays generation.
Even Blue Peter took a nose dive and now kids TV has been replaced with soap and reality TV repeats.
TV today is an endless choice of C@!p, you have to channel surf to find the odd gem...

Rant over.

 

[tigler]

Oh my word , the Gadget Show !! Started off OK then Ms Perry's skirts get shorter and shorter and they just endlessly review the same old stuff !! Oh , and when did a TV become a gadget ??!!
One show I do quite like is Tank Overhaul. You just sense the Tanks saying , is that all you got ??!!

 

[Wedg1e]

The way you guys sell it, I'm bloody glad I don't own (and never have) a telly...

 

[tigler]

Now that is something you don't hear everyday !!!

Actually , just thinking about Tank Overhaul , you do see quite a bit of proper welding on there !! My fave bit is when that one team weld two halves of a Sherman together !! That was impressive.

 

[Bigjoe]

Was that the one where they had to use stainless wire (316L) because of the high strength steel?

I like those but im told im sad and its boring!

But of course i find endless repeats of Hannah Montana,Kardashians etc interesting!!

 

[rtbcomp]

Remember "Salvage Squad?" Three blokes and a girl restoring derelict vehicles as if the survival of the human race depended on it.

 

[Bigjoe]

I quite enjoyed salvage squad,especially some of the more eccentric people that had on there

 

[Arsonista]

Ms Perry's skirts get shorter and shorter

You say that like it's a bad thing!!!.

We had the same conversation on Saturday evening when wifey was watching the latest bunch of wannabes prancing about. I said, oh good, another batch of celebrities. That'll get the country back on it's feet. Why can't we have 'so you think you can weld', or 'celebrity panel beating'. I was told not to be silly. Obviously this huge debt this country is in will be solved by bright young things ponceing about on stage with Arleene screeching in the background. Not.

 

[tigler]

Not a problem in itself , it's just that it's virtually all the program is now !!