Need to get certified, advice? ( Roanoke VA )

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Hello, sorry I am missing the intro part, but I need to get right to the point.  I am out of work and trying to change careers from corrections to welding. Ive welded professionally in the past, did MIG and spray transfer, but was never certified.Now I find myself trying to get work with a company that fabs pressure vessels.  They want the welder to be certified in vertical uphill.There opinion (and I agree) is that if the welder can do vert up, they can sure as hell do flat.I live in Roanoke Virginia... Can someone help point me in the right direction? Anyone live close by that can offer assistance or help? Maybe even some mentoring?Welding is my passion, but by no means that that mean I know it all.Many thanks!Andrew
Reply:They are a bit of a hike for you, but check out Earlbeck in Baltimore.  They used to help us out in college whenever we had various questions and when trying to set up or fix our old Miller TIG.  If they are too far away, contact them and maybe they could point you in the right direction.
Reply:I believe the Virginia Tech Power Plant has some certified welders on staff.  This guy may be able to help you out or at least lead you in the right direction:Byron NicholsAssociate Director, Utilities & Strategic Initiatives (0383)Power PlantBlacksburg, VA 24061 E-mail: [email protected]: 540-231-2073
Reply:Originally Posted by DieselWarriorHello, sorry I am missing the intro part, but I need to get right to the point.  I am out of work and trying to change careers from corrections to welding. Ive welded professionally in the past, did MIG and spray transfer, but was never certified.Now I find myself trying to get work with a company that fabs pressure vessels.  They want the welder to be certified in vertical uphill.There opinion (and I agree) is that if the welder can do vert up, they can sure as hell do flat.I live in Roanoke Virginia... Can someone help point me in the right direction? Anyone live close by that can offer assistance or help? Maybe even some mentoring?Welding is my passion, but by no means that that mean I know it all.Many thanks!Andrew
Reply:If your working presure vessels, and uphill.It should fall under ASME Section IX no?And most likely SMAW or GTAW?1981 Lincoln SA 200Miller Trailblazer 302gMiller 211 Mig Welder w/ AutosetI'm learning to stick metal together
Reply:Originally Posted by jsm11If your working presure vessels, and uphill.It should fall under ASME Section IX no?And most likely SMAW or GTAW?
Reply:If you are just looking to take a test, I used these guys when I was in Va......http://www.celinea.com/d-473796644.htmThey used to be in Springfield. They look to be a tad closer to you, but still a ways out. If you didn't want to go there...I bet they could point you in a direction nearer to your location.QamuIs Heg qaq law' lorvIs yInqaq puS
Reply:Don't pay for a welder qualification test yourself.  Take FB's advice and find a local votech or community college that will train you in Stick(SMAW) and fluxcore wire.  Just taking a qualification test, which will likely cost you ~$300, won't do much other than demonstrate you might have the skills.  The company you're interviewing for will still have to test you again to their welding procedure.  They won't just accept whatever outside cert you have in your hand, if they're a reputable fabrication company, complying with ASME code requirements.A training class, at a reputable school, is just as good a means of demonstrating your skills and determination to learn new techniques.  The test center isn't going to teach you how to take the test.  A good welding program will do that, and let you see what the test is like.  Most courses include real-world practical welding tests as a part of the learning experience.If you're in a rush, and you've got sound basic skills, a school like the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology, www.welding.org, will take an intensive 1 or 2 week course in  specific process.  This will cost you more money(travel and hotel) but will cram a whole semester at a community college into 30-60 hours of training.If you're lucky, your local votech or community college will have a similar full time course offering, but most are 1 night a week, for 3-4 hours per session, for an entire semester. Originally Posted by DieselWarrior1) Yes, uphill2) ASME, not familiar with that, Im not a formally educated welder4) Some SMAW but mostly GMAW solid wire.Thanks,Andrew
Reply:Umm....the link I posted is also a training institute...hence the name....Welder Testing and Training Institute.QamuIs Heg qaq law' lorvIs yInqaq puS
Reply:The fabrication shop should certify you themselves.  Every shop I have ever worked at - and its been a bunch - they gave your their own welding test for their records.  That way all of their welders are certified by the same company, and they have a copy of your test. Originally Posted by jsm11If your working presure vessels, and uphill.It should fall under ASME Section IX no?And most likely SMAW or GTAW?