Welding Tips and Tricks

RocketSurgeon wrote:It's been 9-10 weeks into the course. 4G plate is kicking my......
I really can't complain, at all, about the course or the instructor. As it turns out, he used to work for the same company I do now. Doing the same thing, building the same section. Only, I do it with a $5mil robot.

We will be going thru combo-pipe later (TIG root/stick out). If there is time along the way, he will help me with my Al cert(s).

What process on the 4G? Stick, I presume, for AWS? Will the aluminum cert be GTAW?

I'm a bit envious, as I've never had any formal training (and my employer is unlikely to finance it, since my welds pass).

Steve S

Stick for all the plate tests. It is for AWS.
The Al most definitely will be TIG.

I finally (knock on wood) made a good weld tonight on 4G. I made the work come to me instead of me going to the work. If I can make three more that are good or better in a row, I think I'll be confident to test out on it.

Sorry it's been so long since I've even looked at the forum, let alone post.

PROGRESS!! School is moving along quite nicely. I'm learning a LOT and able to move along at my own pace. I don't feel rushed or slowed from the other students or curriculum.
I've passed ALL 4 process qual tests and have passed my stick cert. I have to retest my FC. Afterwards I can choose MIG or TIG next. I just might have all 4 by the end of February.

I'll keep saying it, because it's true: The best $1500 I've ever spent.

Nice coupons!

What was the issue with the FC?

Steve S

2G test didn't pass. Lack of fusion between the stringers.
3 and 4G passed easily.

Gravity sucks. lol

Wanna know what sucks?

Being sick for two weeks and not being able to go to school.

I'm better and have returned to school on a mission.

FCAW cert: DONE!

MIG cert: 2/3 done!

Class tonight and should have MIG complete (knocks on wood).

RocketSurgeon wrote:Wanna know what sucks?

Being sick for two weeks and not being able to go to school.

I'm better and have returned to school on a mission.

FCAW cert: DONE!

MIG cert: 2/3 done!

Class tonight and should have MIG complete (knocks on wood).

Way to go Chris!

Well done!

Thanks for the update!

Steve S

Thanks everyone.

Unfortunately, knocking on wood doesn't help weld metal. My bend test last night snapped in two. I'll try it again Friday night.

RocketSurgeon wrote:Thanks everyone.

Unfortunately, knocking on wood doesn't help weld metal. My bend test last night snapped in two. I'll try it again Friday night.

No problem, scroll up a few post and see your last batch that did pass. You'll get it

Yup! Last Friday was the day!

PASSED! GMAW is mine!

GTAW is next and the last one.

DONE!
AWS certs are DONE!

RocketSurgeon wrote:DONE!
AWS certs are DONE!

GOLD JERRY, GOLD!!

Thanks! (That's funny, too.)

The class isn't over, but I have eared all the certs it had to offer.
Depending on who calls me up to put these certs to work, will sway my direction on the next technique I try to pick up (pipe or aluminum).

Congratulations, Chris!

As for where to go next, pipe vs. aluminum, both are in demand locally, and you can put either to use. I see why you'd want to see where your current education takes you before making a choice. Do you have equipment at home that you could use to study/practice either one?

Steve S

I have a 200A TIG/Stick with all the bells and whistles (including a 50A plasma torch and pedal).
As long as I can get the He, I can even do aerospace Al alloys.
I will be getting scrap pieces of thin wall stainless tubing from a source so I can practice tacking for orbital.

Last Friday's ceremony:
(All AWS certs offered in the curriculum)

RocketSurgeon wrote:Last Friday's ceremony:
(All AWS certs offered in the curriculum)

CONGRATULATIONS Chris...

BTW what happened to the guy hanging on the far right? Is this what happens if you don't pass??

LtBadd wrote: CONGRATULATIONS Chris...

BTW what happened to the guy hanging on the far right? Is this what happens if you don't pass??

Yeah, you end up starving.

As you can see in the pic, I'm eating well.

Congratulations!

I see you, too, have a red head in your life. That seems to happen at a disproportionately high rate for welders... Maybe it's related to our tolerance for pain...

Steve S

Otto Nobedder wrote:Congratulations!

I see you, too, have a red head in your life. That seems to happen at a disproportionately high rate for welders... Maybe it's related to our tolerance for pain...

Steve S

That's Amy. The admin for the course. My wife is taking the picture.

A red-head involved in your education might be even worse, for the pain factor...


Steve S

Congratulations, and good on ya!

Dang, I wish that course was offered near me!