certify for what you weld?

admin

For the past few years I've been doing primarily .065 to .120 wall round tube,  between 1"-1-3/4".  Notched joints, MIG and TIG.  I only stray from this for the odd job or project.  I can honestly say I've worked on ONE piece of pipe, and that was for a smoker chimney!  I read a lot about certs last night and didn't find anything that was like what I do; everything seemed geared towards pipe and construction.  I'm trying to move into doing for random fab work and repairs and want to be certified somehow, both to appeal to folks and to hopefully attain a good insurance rate (still up in the air on in$$$urance for a PART time gig)
Reply:Look through this list of certs, and see anything will fit your needs. http://ppatks.org/assets/uploads/Wel..._Test_List.pdfDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:As cool as it would be, I don't need a 6G cert.  I haven't arc welded in 10 years either, and it's not something I'll be doing any time soon.  If I were to practice for and achieve any 6G cert, how would I maintain it, or any other cert, being a one-man shop?  Would I have to drive to another state (nearest test center to me) and retest every 6 months?
Reply:Some times it’s once a year, some times it’s every two years. I worked at one place, we had to re-test every 3-months. Just the cost of being a welder.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:If I was working for another outfit that would be no big deal.  Other than looking good on a business card and maybe to an insurance company,  I have no real need for a certificate.  Likewise, being a small time shop, I have no need for unnecessary expense.  I just can't see going for something I won't use until the cert renewal and retest.
Reply:You do not mention which country you reside in in your title.  Every region has several welding authorities associated with the type of welding being done.  You can't be welding anything that requires more than one atmosphere pressure otherwise you would have to certified in order to bid on the work.  Decide on what type of work you are doing.  The demands of the customer is often what makes shops certify themselves as well as certifying their employees.  If you are making furniture it is unlikely you need certification and it's a waste of time and money.  If you enter the field of construction most general contractors and their engineers demand you be certified as a matter of quality control.
Reply:I'm in the US, Florida.  Most of what I DO is for the off-road automotive industry with some marine and general fabrication mixed in.
Reply:Welcome the site. In my opinion if you can't afford insurance you can't afford to be in business. One claim, even if you win, could cost into the thousands and you don't recover that cost just because you won the case, and if you loose the case you get to pay the legal fees and the judgment. If you have that kind of coin available to loose you probably don't need the income from your welding. Insurance is one of those costs that none of us in business like, but most of us don't have the resources to be self insured. Good luck with your search.
Reply:Originally Posted by whitsonmetalIf I was working for another outfit that would be no big deal.  Other than looking good on a business card and maybe to an insurance company,  I have no real need for a certificate.  Likewise, being a small time shop, I have no need for unnecessary expense.  I just can't see going for something I won't use until the cert renewal and retest.
Reply:Excellent information burns.  I'll research the certifications and ask the guys at the LWS as well.