Certification talk.

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So recently I've had this personal goal to try and get a certification. I'm searching the AWS website and can't find any solid information.Anyone have any idea on pricing ? Can you take more than 1 test at a time?Would like to try and get a few mig and tig certs and not even sure where to start. What joint and what process and such.Is it much different if I practice at home on say a 110v mig and go test on a 220v mig? Never used a 220v mig welder before.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:1st question I'd have to ask is WHY you want a cert? Certs expire if they aren't kept current, and don't mean all that much to many employers, since most will have you retest anyways. It's a big expense for something that has limited use unless you really need a cert.As far as cost, that all depends on the testing procedures. The one set of certs I was practicing for a few years back added up to several hundred dollars per test. To qualify I'd need to have taken 4 tests at a minimum. 3g and 4g in both mig and stick at a bare minimum, and you could also add in two more if I'd have gone on to do the 6g in each process as well. At almost well over $1K in testing, you'd have better been able to pass. Simple bend tests for say D1.1 would be a lot cheaper.As far as using a 110v machine to practice for a cert, I'd say it's not in your best interest. Biggest issue I see with most students who are practicing the 3/8" bevel but joints at simulate cert tests is that they have the most problems with their root passes. They either run too cold and don't get good penetration, or they run to hot and blow thru. A 110v mig won't help you practice for either, and it's not hot enough to get good fusion along the sides either. It's sort of like practicing for a golf match with Tiger Woods by using a kids croquet mallet. Yeah you can drive the ball down range, but you aren't really going to get any quality practice from the exercise.Check with local tech schools if you are serious. Many have classes geared to getting students thru a particular test and in some cases even include one test as a "final" as part of the class fee..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:No particular reason. Just my own personal goal to get at least one.From what I found it's $200 a test.Definitely not looking to spend $1000 a test, thanks for the heads up on that. Maybe just some basic ones.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:If just doing it for ****s and grins, build yourself a bending rig and bend them yourself.  It won't be official, but the real thing won't do much for ya anyway.  All of my certs expired a long time ago.  Hasn't mattered one bit.My name's not Jim....
Reply:I did a job for a big company, they called, asked if I was certified, and that was it. I did the job got paid and my certs never left the filing cabinet.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Well if you are really interested, I would suggest this.Join AWS first as a student member or member at large. Then with the membership, buy the AWS D17.1 weld spec at a discount. Also see if you can google Mil-STD-2219, and Mil-STD-1595A, and print them out. They are very simple and straight forward, and both obsolete but the precursor to AWS D17.1.Understanding the process makes qualifying much easier. Then if you are still interested, I can point you to two testing houses, one NADCAP approved, the other not but schools use them. PM me if you want to talk.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:I joined as a student member already. Seems like a waste of money thus far. To be honest.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI joined as a student member already. Seems like a waste of money thus far. To be honest.
Reply:Originally Posted by lotechmanAn AWS membership opens doors.  Be sure to attend the local meetings.  Usually there are monthly meetings in your area and you should have had a notice in the mail or by email.   In my area the meetings often have a short lecture given by a guest along with a sit down dinner.  You learn something from the presentation as well as sit face to face with other people having the same interests.  Often it includes engineers, welding equipment salesmen, foreman from local industry, as well as just regular welders.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI joined as a student member already. Seems like a waste of money thus far. To be honest.
Reply:Here is a link to the mil specs. They are free but not current, as they have been superceded by the AWS specs.http://www.everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL...D-2219A_10187/http://www.everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL...TD_1595A_1375/Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:So if you read thru these, I can coach you thru a simple qualification for whatever material. I suggest going with minimum .080 thickness so that a groove weld can qualify for both groove and fillet. If you opt for .06" thick or less, you will have to do both. Simple operator qualifications can be as small as 6" x 6", welded in your facility (home).Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Thanks! I'll do some reading on this later tonight when I have time.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer