Picture of one of my welds

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 15:35:36 GMT

go to see Welding Machine for Picture of one of my welds

Well i'm by no means an expert, i've only been at it for a couple years now. Just passed my Common arc test to become certified to weld on pressurized vessels, got 16 or the 18 companies there so i guess i did ok. Along with that certification is a stainless and inconel on the same style tubes and position.This wasn't the test tube since that one was cut up and bent. But this was one prior to my test,6g position2 3/4in 3/32 open root. 1st pass was heliarc with 3/32, hot pass, flush out and cap were all done with 7018 3/32 at 85 amps. I know i didn't clean up the spater.
Reply:Two words: Macro Mode (on the camera).Aside from that, really nice job!! [Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:sorry, it was the camera on my phone. I don't even own a digital camera. Oh and for those wondering the machine was a Miller XMT 304 scratch start tig, 3/32 ceriated tungsten. Sorry theres no root pass shot.
Reply:was that foto a practice piece? that cap is 8 beads wide....?
Reply:the cap is 6 passes, every heavy wall tube i capped has been 6 passes. its a 37 degree bevel on the tubes, creates a pretty large spot to cap on the final pass. The tube that got me my certification had 6 beads for the cap also. If you can picture behind the center of the top and bottom beads is the leading edge of the tube bevel. 5 passes would actually cap it, but with the tube being scorching hot from all the weld it normally gets undercut, I could file it out, but running a extra pass is acceptable by common arc standards so why not.The only hand tools we can use on the actual test are a hand file, so running a extra pass is a hell of a lot easier than running a file around the whole tube since its in a fixed position and can't be removed until all the inspectors have looked at it. When we test on the jobs we're allowed any and all tools available on the job. This is actually the first time i ever posted welds on any fourm i frequent. Remembering that the first time i touched a stick welder was only 3 years ago, and my first day the teacher told me i had to chip the slag from it and i had no clue what slag was...haha. IMO i think i've come a long way, lots of guys go through the cert test 5 and 6 times before finally passing. I'm not trying to sound cocky but its an accomplishment i'm quite proud of.Here's a little better of a shot i had on my phone.Last edited by claymans13; 07-28-2011 at 02:27 PM.ESAB MigMaster 275Miller Econotwin HFMiller Syncrowave 250
Reply:What SCH pipe is that? 6 stringers for a cap, damn... I don't jump to two stringers unless it's over SCH 80 - 100. SCH 160? Test?Either way, looks alright to me. Stringers could be more consistent in speed and overlay if you were looking for a critique...Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120
Reply:Originally Posted by MadMax31What SCH pipe is that? 6 stringers for a cap, damn... I don't jump to two stringers unless it's over SCH 80 - 100. SCH 160? Test?Either way, looks alright to me. Stringers could be more consistent in speed and overlay if you were looking for a critique...
Reply:Congratulations claymans13!  You're absolutely right about being a hard test to pass.  With nothing but a file and a wire brush to clean your weld with it needs to be just about perfect to pass.  Much harder than most  X-ray tests.  The side bends will get you every time if there is even a small defect there.As to the number of passes on this tube, 5 or 6 is the norm.  Usually welded with 3/32" tig wire for the root and the hot, fill and cap passes are 3/32" 7018.  You can use 1/8" on the common arc if you want but with no power tools allowed, a mistake is easier to fix if done with 3/32".  The wall thickness of the tube used is 5/8" of an inch which makes for a large amount of weld to be put in less than four hours.  Remember, you have to have all contractors sign off on the visual for each step before going on to the next.  They check your fit up, your tacks, your root and your cap.  Then your four coupons for the side bends are cut and inspected and then bends are made and inspected. Anyone who can consistently pass this test is pretty darn good.  Congrats once more, claymans13.  I take it you're out of Local 13?"The man of great wealth owes a peculiar obligation to the State, because he derives special advantages from the mere existence of government."  Teddy RooseveltAmerican by birth, Union by choice!  Boilermakers # 60America is a Union.
Reply:I'm actually out of Local 154, best decision i ever made. I'll never go back to a non union non construction job. Thanks bob, everything you said was right except the hot pass, we have the option to heliarc or stick it in. I choose to stick it in as i'm more comfortable welding with right and left handed in that position with a stick electrode. You are correct on the wall though, it most likely is 5/8, i never measured it but knew it was at least 1/2in. It was easily the most stressful test i've ever took, but I nailed 16 of the 18 contractors there so I was very pleased with it being my first time.ESAB MigMaster 275Miller Econotwin HFMiller Syncrowave 250
Reply:Nice I had a 5stringer cap on some sch 160 6" carbon pipe with 1/8 7018 .. That was a huge bevel :]
Reply:The welds we do in the field are no where near the size of this, but they test us on heavy wall so we're certified for girth welds on steam headers. That might be the most miserable part of the job, pounding 5/16 rod all day with a heat wrap at 900 degrees next to you.ESAB MigMaster 275Miller Econotwin HFMiller Syncrowave 250