[TheForge] tig welding, 18 gauge 316 stainless steel, chemical fume hood

[terry l. ridder]

hello;

while attempting to come up with a reasonable budget for the
construction of a metallurgical laboratory, to be used for the detailed
analysis of metal, one of the requirements per numerous environmental
health and safety rules and regulations is the chemcial fume hood design,
construction and operation.

design is better standard.
construction is also better standard, 18 gauge 316 stainless steel, tig
welded. must be able to withstand a negative operating pressure.

the exhaust fan must be corrosion resistant and explosion resistant.
the stack for the hood must be a straight shot with the exhaust fan
mounted as close to the top of the stack as possible.

given the amount of tig welding required i am weighing the cost and
option of sending someone to training for tig welding and perhaps attend
myself. in my case it is not so much to be able to weld but to be able
to have the required knowledge to discuss the construction of the lab
with the authorities and the various enviromental health and safety
organizations. i am not particularly thrilled at the idea of outsourcing
the design and construction of the metalurgical lab chemical fume hood.
when it comes down to safety, particularly mine, and environmental
safety, doing it in house at least i have the perception that i know
what i have got. outsourcing, i am relying on someone i hardily even
know, to design and construction of an safety item. when they are done
and gone i do not even have the perception that i know what i have got.

that is the background for my quesions.

0. just how difficult is it to work with 18 gauge 316 stainless steel?
need to be able to make bends, roll it, etc.
1. knowing that it depends on the individual who would be learning to
  tig weld, what is a good average length of time for the training?
2. would taking a community college course work in tig welding be
sufficient for what needs to be done?
3. what training would members of theforge recommend?

please feel free to provide insights that you may have.

-- 
terry l. ridder ><>