Pipe welding?

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I want to get into pipe welding. Let me clarify, NOT pipeline welding. Currently doing ship repair, virtually all flux core dual shield. Never welded pipe with stick, but I have welded it with TIG. Is it realistic for me to get AWS certified 6G and find work? I really would like to stay away from the waterfront (shipyard.) Any suggestions/comments?
Reply:Look into the ASME IX certification, for boiler and pressure vessel piping. Food, Dairy and Pharm all have sanitary welding requirement, it varies greatly from industry to industry but it pays decent if you get in good somewhere.AWS 17.1, D1.1 and ASME IX (GTAW)Miller Syncrowave 350LX, Maxstar 150sth, Maxstar 200DX and  Millermatic 252 w/ Spoolmatic 30aMiller buzz box with Lincolin TombstoneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38
Reply:Thank for the info. Are most of the welds one pipe done with TIG with the exception of something outdoors?
Reply:entirely depends on what the customer want's, sometimes we do all stick, sometimes TIG root with stick fill and cap, sometimes STT root, flux core fill and sub-arc cap, get a qualification and go from there, if you have half a brain you'll find where the money is, usually it's a good idea to be able to pass x-ray with all kinda of welding (TIG, Stick, MIG, STT and sub arc).
Reply:Ok, makes sense. The company I work for has procedures for CuNi pipe, stainless, and aluminum, but sadly all those are no good outside of my job. How does testing work with ASME?
Reply:I took a class at a local certified testing center, then took the test. Basically practiced on 6" pipe in 3g, 5g and 6g, root, hot pass then stacked beads and a cover then the test was on 2" sch 80 6g...welded up one side RH and the other LH. They recommend you walk the cup but you don't have to according to the WPS. Then they cut it up, bend it. I also had the opportunity to have some xray done since they had it at the center. The entire test and my cert is GTAW...AWS 17.1, D1.1 and ASME IX (GTAW)Miller Syncrowave 350LX, Maxstar 150sth, Maxstar 200DX and  Millermatic 252 w/ Spoolmatic 30aMiller buzz box with Lincolin TombstoneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38
Reply:Your certs generally don't carry over at all. You pretty much have to test everywhere you go. Having an AWS cert might get you a foot in the door...
Reply:Do a Craigslist search for "pipe welders". All I do is TIG from 3/4" to 16", and I get paid pretty damn well. That's how I found my gig. Don't waste your time or resources with AWS certs. It means nothing to an employer, because all the certs in the world won't X-ray, or bend unless you can put the metal in the joint. You should know if you can do that or not.
Reply:The advice given is solid. Forget the aws certs. In my opinion they are as useful as yesterday's news paper. Every company and job is going to re test you. You should know if you can pass x ray or not. One question. Why would you not want to pipeline ? It's a lot of fun and pays damn good. Get to work the line and building plants.  Practices and be good at all processes on 2inch. Then all the other pipe is cake. Fitting skills will take you as far as good welding skills.
Reply:Ok, guess my next question is what does it take to weld the pipeline? Could I get 6g cert SMAW 6010 root, 7018 fill or whatever they use on that pipe and walk on site and start welding? Also what does it pay?
Reply:Originally Posted by gweahOk, guess my next question is what does it take to weld the pipeline? Could I get 6g cert SMAW 6010 root, 7018 fill or whatever they use on that pipe and walk on site and start welding? Also what does it pay?
Reply:Got it, I planned out welding pipe where I live then try to get on the pipeline. So far 100% of the jobs for pipe welding are for the Navy or commercial marine industry. All of that is x-ray tested, so good practice.
Reply:That sounds like a good plan, easier to get a foot in the door there than pipelining. They have pipes to weld on those ships, too.
Reply:Nobody mentioned orbital welding ...Another specializationWeldorwes does aerospace and nuclear welding Those are in shop certs for their respective industries ...You can always PM himBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck