Welding test.

dr sportster

Well-known Member
I took the welding test yesterday. I took my time and thought I did okay. It was 6G postition [which I always thought was a pipe test] but it was coupons on a 45 degree angle. I cleaned each passes slag really well . In the end a pipefitter super or someone I'm not really sure who they were, wanted to fail me for stray arc strikes on the coupons.[other wedling trades do not like electricians welding but if it is for electrical work it is for electricians to weld] After I pointed out the the pipefitter who tested that day had stray grinder marks on his coupons a big argument ensued[ not me],then the employee for the General contractor said it would be sent for x-ray. [I'm not even sure if the marks on my coupons even were stray strikes or just some marks from the steel and I don't like to grind the coupons.I thought I sruck all my arcs in the groove above not off to the side at all..Bead appearance was okay or that would be an instant fail- no x-ray. We were allowed grinders and I brought some made in USA tough picks for slag. I don't think I had any slag entrapment [from cleaning slag anyway]. The bad thing is the electricians are welding on a high scaffold using MIG to weld pipe for oil-a- static. The one guy welding now, I know and worked with at the powerhouse and is a good weldor. I stressed I would like to be transfered to the high voltage splicing and terminating crew. I am told if I took the call as weldor this is not possible. I have not seen the other splicer since the drug test safety day. He is somewhere on site . Find out if I pass x-ray soon. They do not bend stress the coupons ,just x-ray. But the x-ray has taken down many a good lookin' coupon. Hate to say it but if I get run out of there there is a nice job 20 miles closer to my house.
I was not stressed at all during the test.
 
Good job!

All you can do is your best and I'll bet you did good.

If they are x-raying your welds I would not sweat stray marks on the coupons. The weld is the important thing.

Really hope you do well as it seems to be important to your career.

Brad
 
That's good news, dr. I like to hear good welding stories. I'm retiring soon after 41 years at Lincoln Electric. Personally, I can't weld my way out of a paper bag. I'm more of a machine guy.
 
A weld performed on a sample piece of metal with exactly the same variables outlined in the welding procedure specification for the purpose of testing and inspection.
 
Be glad it wasn't the 6GR with the chill ring. I really don't know why they are giving a 6G to an electrician as that is usually a tube welder test- boilermakers and such as it qualifies you for anything except the chill ring....

I have heard of a lot of people who like to break guys out. Never really did myself as it doesn't do anyone any good. Just more money down the drain and another guy back to the bench.
 
My oldest has excelled as a wireman welder.Does'nt do a lot of arc mostly tig on stainless conduct and aluminum tray work.Has his own little fab shop in the local refinery and pretty much is his own boss.Not bad for a fourth year journeyman.He also has Home Land Security clearance to work in any nuke or refinery in the US.
There's a big demand for wireman welders if your willing to travel.
Good Luck.
 
The stray arcs are cause for failure. Typically, if you are allowed mechanical cleaning the stray arcs aren't a big deal (they can easily be removed provided they do not leave undercut). Our code work at work requires arc marks to be ground out, filled and ground flat.
 
Tell me whats the issue with a stray arc. Is it a professional quality of work appearance thing. Or is it a problem with material strength or damage?

Thanks
Tim
 
A stray arc can gouge the steel (technically undercut) causing a weak spot. Typically on your everyday welding jobs its not a big deal. However, by the book, it is unacceptable.
 
It was not stray arc but stray strike marks. Leaving a scar on the coupons outside of the weld zone. This is a cause for failure on a pipe test.
 
The electricians are welding pipe which is oil filled with a coolant and carries high voltage conductors. A job best left for a pipefitters but classified as electrical work.
 

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