I passed my welding certification for structual steel 3g and 4g. Which allows me to weld anything except pressure pipe.

This is who did the testing.
http://www.fischerengr.com/

Several people who I work with have tried the test and failed it. I am the seconf one to pass out of about 10 welders. I am 23 and most of the people who have failed it have been welding for 10+ years. They even went on to say that my test pieces were some of the best they have seen in years. I dont think the welds were the best looking but in regards to how they test it. (stretch,bend and x-ray).

I wish I would have taken pictures of the plates before I sent them in. I install scoreboards and the company that hires us requres all welders to be certifed.

 

congrats. now was this cert through your employer? 1" plate?

 

Congrats on passing! It is an achievement that's much greater than what a guy may do welding a trailer at home or something like that. Certifications, in many ways, mean nothing...but they can open doors to jobs. The average HR person thinks you can't weld if you have no certifications. It's like saying that if Dale Earnheart didn't have a drivers license that he'd not be a good racecar driver. Whether he has the card or not, he's a good driver. Likewise, passing the test didn't make you any better than you were the day before...you just have papers to prove it now.

I don't know what code/spec you tested to, but the above statement is probably incorrect....even if that's what they told you.

Assuming that you tested to AWS D1.1:
1) 3G and 4G tests will not qualify you to weld any pipe at all, regardless of whether it's pressure or not. You have to take a pipe test to even be qualified to weld structural pipe (under 36" diameter, I believe it is). AWS D1.1 is only for STRUCTURAL steel and doesn't even include any provisions for pressurized pipe and/or vessels.

2) You likely will be either certified to weld either 1/2T-2T or 1/2T-unlimited thickness. What this means is that, depending on the thickness you tested on, you are probably qualified to weld 1/2 that, up to twice that, or 1/2 that with no upper thickness limit. The reason for this is because a person that tests on 6010/7018 plate (3/4") can't possibly weld 20ga plate with the same procdure.



I'm not trying to bust your ***** on this, so don't take offense. I'm pretty sure that you were told the info you posted, and are just repeating it.

 

The plates were 1/2" thick. I am only repeating what another welder told me. I just have the cert required by daktronics to weld their video boards in place. Which is good because it will help ensure that I do not get laid off this winter.

I tried finding a link on what the 3g and 4g cert allowed me to do. if you could supply a link please. From what I understand my cert stays with the company so If i quit I lose it. I want to get certified so that it stays with me. If i do a pipe test will it also allow me to weld to weld what the 3g and 4g allowed me to do?

Thanks for the help.

 

you will almost always have to re-certify if you change jobs

 

is that the one that has the bevelled edge, flat edge, backing plate?
up here that's a CWB test, i could never remember the corresponding aws number.

i have my asme b31.3 pressure cert, (called "b" pressure up here) and i've had my cwb in the past but it expired. it's definitely a good ticket to hold though. congrats!

 

It's good for the resume also. Certs are never a bad thing.

It depends on the code or specification. The certification paper should tell what it is. The problem with giving a link is that places like the AWS don't put all the info up for the public to access freely. They sell the books. Therefore, what happens is that you have to either have access to the books or take the word of somebody else...who may or may not be right.

Don't worry about that, is my advice. Any company that needs certified welders will likely retest you anyway. I've been welding for a living for 20 years, and have not yet hired in a place that accepted any certs that were obtained previously. The fact that you have been certified can help you to get through a company's HR people and to their hire in test. They at least know that you're familiar with the testing process and have some level of skill beyond burning a few beads one night in your garage.

Typically, yes. In most codes/specs, passing a 6g pipe test will qualify you for all positions of plate. Rightfully so, because if you can do a 6g pipe, flat plate won't be any problem.

Also remember that if you plan to excel in welding, and stay in the field, having one certification is nothing. You can never get too many under your belt. I had one job in which I had about 30 certifications at. They were ASME certs, so they expired when I left the company. AWS certs aren't all that valued in my area, so I wasn't concerned with keeping records that would allow me to carry those that were also in accordance to AWS.

 

Thanks for the input. My boss is on vacation so when he gets back i will ask to see my cert paper to see what it qualifies me for. I appreciate the help.

 

The cert paper may or may not show that you're qualified for anything more than the specific thing you tested on. However, if it says what spec/code you tested in accordance to, you can then find out what all you're covered to do. Also keep in mind that it's the company's responsibility to see to it that you're qualified to weld what they give you to weld...so you really don't have to know the info anyway.

 

you did it through the company? cool, you will prboably pass the aws d1.1 now, try it.

1" plate, 45* overall bevel.
vertical up, and over head.

same ****, backing plate, weld clean weld etc. cut slits out grind, bend.
2 from v-up. and 2 from overhead.

 

thats what im doing now in school but on 3/8" plate........

 

you should be able to knockthat out sub 1 1/2 or 2 hours. grinding/cleaning included, with some time to go probably half wat through another.

 

AWS D1.1 isn't just one single test. It's a code. There's virtually no limit to the number of tests you can take, in accordance with this code. Each test passed will have limitations on what it qualifies you for. There are limitations on variables such as gas type, filler type, basemetal type, fitup, position, progression, etc. As a simple example, if you pass a particular vertical test welding uphill, you will not be qualified to weld that same exact thing downhill, as progression of vertical welds is considered to be an "essential variable." Progression in horizontal, flat, and overhead is a "nonessential variable" and doesn't require retesting.


https://www.awspubs.com/product_info...roducts_id=325

 

Are the American weld test plates done with both sides beveled?

Just curious if the plates are the same as the CWB test plates.

I know I haven't been on here in ages. Apparently the last time I logged in was 12-31-1969 at 4pm, lol

 

its all going to depend on what type of certification you are going for, most require a bevel on both sides although some only have a bevel on one side. Its just a differnt certification.

 

well i had to hand cut then bevel it with the track cutter, have to fit up 5 pieces so 10 plates total, grind the bevel clean and grind any millscale/rust 1" from the bevel. then I finally get to fit it up and weld. its taken me 3 days to fit up (I only go part time), but I think the welding will go fast. he has to visually OK 4 of them (root and cover), and then I do a test joint that is bend tested. If I fail, I have to do 4 more again........................

 

Ah ok. All of our Canadian certs are done with only one side beveled. Except pressure pipe I believe.

 

Are you planning on useing this in car fab world or is this work only .

 

I dont think alot of automotive work calls for a 3G structural certification.