ASME questions

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I welded for a heat exchanger outfit a while back and passed their ASME boiler tests. The tests consisted of stainless to carbon, 3/8" plates, 2G position, both MIG and TIG.They did a visual, 1 traverse root bend and 1 face bend per QW-462.2I have the Performance Qualifications they handed me.One tester a while back said that if the state recognizes the cert though the company, that I can carry it with me elsewhere.  So I am wondering if this means that I do have my ASME certs for MIG and TIG up to 3/4" plate or pipe outside of that company.Any info would much be appreciated.-MikeLast edited by Brainfarth; 09-18-2009 at 12:12 PM.Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Reply:No. ASME Sec IX requires each employer to issue papers, which means they need to witness the test, and that the test be done to a particular weld procedure specifying the appropriate essential variables.Some employers may hire you and let you weld without retesting, but the work is not in compliance with SecIX in that case.
Reply:ASME IX welder qualifications are portable, period of vaildity is 6 months from date of test, or proof of production welding NDE to relevant standards,eg: ASME VIII or B31.3 etc.Refer to QW-300.3 for welders changing employers and QW-322 for period of effectiveness.Most employers will require you to re-qualify though, despite holding a valid welder qualification. At least it gets your foot in the door !!Cheers
Reply:I have worked in various industries for 20+ years and have numerous certs. Currently I'm working for myself. My question is, are there certs I can carry with me anywhere?Miller TrailBlazer 251Miller HF-250-1Miller MaxStar 150 STLHyperTherm PowerMax 380 plasmaLincoln PowerMig 180Millermatic 252Miller Diversion 180
Reply:Both AWS and Section IX certs are theoretically "universal" given the code limitations, but as was mentioned, you're more than likely going to be retested no matter where you go.  Best bet is just to keep hard copies of your welder quals wherever you go.The Common Arc test would also be considered universal to some extent, though more and more employers are brushing off its merits.
Reply:Originally Posted by waginI have worked in various industries for 20+ years and have numerous certs. Currently I'm working for myself. My question is, are there certs I can carry with me anywhere?
Reply:Just remember that those AWS certs need to be renewed, usually every 6 months.  If you got them from an employer, they're responsible for verifying that you've welded with the relevant processes at least once in the previous six months.  If you hold your own AWS certs that you paid for independent of an employer, you have to submit the renewal form,  and your $10 fee every six months in order to keep your certs valid.  Once you let them lapse, you have to re-test.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:Okay... So I have the CWI here and they said that the 2" XX Hvy pipe I have here is enough to get me unlimited in the 6G position.  But one thing that I am having problems with is the root pass is not crowning inside the pipe.  They called out for 60 degrees.  That seems a bit tight to me.. I did some checking on the net and saw a bit of literature that said 75 degrees, +/- 5 was pretty common.. Any ideas?Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Reply:37.5 degree bevel on each side is the norm.  What are you testing to, ASME IX?  2" XXS will not qualify you to unlimited thickness, it will bring you out to .872" wall if you use the same process all the way out.  1/2" wall with each process is required for unlimited performance qualification.
Reply:Well... I took the test and they didnt bother to cut it up or charge us because the root weld on the inside was concaved.  I'm not sure what I am doing wrong on my root pass... But I cannot get it to build up on the inside. I've tried it was 3/32" opening, hotter, colder, more filler without any good results. I'm running TIG, 1/16" filler and my amperage ranged from 70 to 120. It is the same all the way around.  Any ideas?I see your point on the 1/2" wall.. I will have to pick out a thicker piece of tube.Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Reply:asme is american society of enginers right?
Reply:Yes, mechanical engineers.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Are you freehanding it or walking the cup? I have never used 1/16" wire for pipe welding. Too much feeding. I usually gap the root opening slightly larger than the wire that I'm using for the root pass. After the tacks it will draw up to about the size of the rod.I try to gap the bottom half just a tad larger than the top half...gravity takes care of the top.there are so many variables to consider when trying to help with a tig root pass problem.You might be traveling too slow; sucking the root out.Too much stick out on the tungsten could contribute to suck back.I use 1/8" wire for the root, that gets some meat on the inside. Loose gap and freehand will get penetration but that requires more dexterity IMO.I "pressure weld" the root, holding pressure on the wire and walking/rocking the cup over the wire.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrainfarthI welded for a heat exchanger outfit a while back and passed their ASME boiler tests. The tests consisted of stainless to carbon, 3/8" plates, 2G position, both MIG and TIG.They did a visual, 1 traverse root bend and 1 face bend per QW-462.2I have the Performance Qualifications they handed me.One tester a while back said that if the state recognizes the cert though the company, that I can carry it with me elsewhere.  So I am wondering if this means that I do have my ASME certs for MIG and TIG up to 3/4" plate or pipe outside of that company.Any info would much be appreciated.-Mike
Reply:I had some problems with the first test.. Mainly the root.  So I grabbed some new material on a different day, 70 degree open V, 3/32" gap and 3/32" filler.. It turns out that I couldnt ram enough 1/16" rod in the puddle to get it to poke out on the inside.  The 3/32 did the trick.  So now I am qualified for ASME IX 1/8"-3/4"(not unlimited.  ) 6G with ER70S-2 on SA-53(GR.B)Even with bigger filler, that was a long test because I had to let it cool down from time to time.  About 2 hours total.I will have to try "pressure weld" next time.. I did free hand the whole thing since I couldn't rest my hands on the part.  I still have a pretty steady arm, so it wasnt too big of a deal.  But many hours of that would be a little taxing.  So I'll practice the 'walking the cup' sometime soon.Oh yeah... This cert expires 1 year from date.  Does that mean I have to retest or do I just have to get jobs signed off on it like with a city cert?Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Reply:Congrats on passing the test Brainfarth!!IMO the pressure technique will be worth the effort to learn. Thousands upon thousands of xray acceptable welds at nukes have been made with this technique. There is no substitute for free handing though.Walking the cup just makes life and work so much easier.Usually weld certs expire in six months. You should make and maintain a weld continuity log sheet. At LEAST once every six months you need to weld and document the process that you used. You can maintain it yourself or have a super or QC or CWI verify it and sign it if you wish.Maybe I missed it but what agency did you test with? I see it is ASME test but curious why they said the certs expire in one year. Typically, if you weld every six months, they never expire unless it is for a company that makes their own rules. Their rules should not be less stringent than the applicable code though. Glad to hear you passed the test.