Witty Miscommunication: Welder Takes Instructions Too Seriously

Skylar Hawthorne

Updated Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at 12:00 AM CDT

In the world of construction and crafting, precision is everything. However, a recent Reddit post titled "Haha, welder took the instructions seriously" has taken the internet by storm, highlighting the humorous consequences of overly literal interpretations.

The image comprises a series of three photographs, each detailing the stages of a construction project involving measurements and layouts.

**Top Photograph:**

The first image showcases a hand-drawn sketch on paper. This sketch displays a rectangular frame divided into three smaller rectangles, with measurements annotated. The entire length is marked as "60 cm," and the height is labeled "25 cm."

**Middle Photograph:**

Moving to the second image, we see a metal framework under construction. A red circle emphasizes part of the frame, labeling it "60 cm," which corresponds to the earlier sketch. The background reveals a typical workshop floor, scattered with tools and materials.

**Bottom Photograph:**

The final image provides another perspective of the metal framework. Detailed further, this view shows a small piece of metal wire shaped to contain the text "25," likely referring to the framework's height measurement. This scene, too, is set against a workshop backdrop.

Reddit users were quick to react to this comical scenario. One user commented, "Are the measurements correct, though?" while another humorously noted, "He is the biggest troll I have ever seen." The subreddit r/maliciouscompliance was mentioned as a fitting category for this post, given the welder’s literal compliance with the sketch.

Several users pointed out the flawed nature of the original drawing. One remarked, "These measurement positions are reason enough to completely botch the job anyways. Should it be the inside of the frame or the outside? With these crooked lines, nobody will be able to tell." Another added, "The measurements were not conforming with the rules of technical drawing. So they could be interpreted as part of the design."

A special inspector by trade shared insights, stating, "Our responsibility is not to tell a contractor how to do their job, but often when we inform them that we will have to write them up for doing something incorrectly, they will ask us what we want them to do. My boss says at that point it’s ok to dumb it down and tell them to 'make it look like the picture'. Seems like something similar may have been communicated in this instance."

Other comments ranged from appreciation of the welder’s sense of humor to critiques of the drawing itself. One user joked, "Is this for the stage for Spinal Tap's new tour?" referencing the band's infamous on-stage mishaps.

This Reddit post serves as a lighthearted reminder of the importance of clear communication and precise instructions in construction projects. While the welder's literal interpretation provided a good laugh, it also highlights the potential pitfalls of ambiguous blueprints.

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View source: Reddit

Top Comments from Reddit

jikushi

Are the measurements correct, though?

Julia_Rosee_

He is the biggest troll I have ever seen

cokendsmile

r/maliciouscompliance

suniealy

It probably took him some time! lol. The downside of being overly obedient, haha.

ScrewThisBanana

These measurement positions are reason enough to completely botch the job anyways. Should it be the inside of the frame or the outside? With these crooked lines, nobody will be able to tell.

Jeoshua

Clearly, the numbers were supposed to be free floating. 0/10, did not properly disregard the laws of physics.

Softestwebsiteintown

As a special inspector by trade, my job is to report out on what a contractor does or doesn’t do with respect to the plans and specs of a job as well as code requirements. Our responsibility is not to tell a contractor how to do their job, but often when we inform them that we will have to write them up for doing something incorrectly, they will ask us what we want them to do. My boss says at that point it’s ok to dumb it down and tell them to “make it look like the picture”. Seems like something similar may have been communicated in this instance.

therealfatlizard

I think you have a welder with a great sense of humor

JR_LikeOnTheTVshow

Is this for the stage for Spinal Tap's new tour?

02meepmeep

Thanks for posting this. I thought I had seen some dumb stuff in construction but this is blue ribbon here.

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