First welding job interview and test

admin

First off I wanna say thanks for all the valuable information I've gotten from this site, it's unbelievable. Secondly, I have my first weld test and interview tomm morning. It's going to be a 3g and 1g FCAW test, should be simple (I hope). I've got my gear in my truck and a copy of my resume and certs ready just in case. Are there any last minute tips, tricks or advice for a young guy starting his career? Thanks again gentleman
Reply:Clean clean clean. Wire wheel after every pass to ensure that all slag is gone. Minimize undercut and clean all slag before putting in another pass.Make sure your cap looks perdy.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:I've got a brand new wheel ready to go. New cover lenses in my hood and a somewhat cleanly cover cap. Should I wear a long sleeve tucked in and bring my jacket with me? I know come prepared to weld but the lady was very vague on what to bring. Thank you sir.
Reply:When testing, I always carried a flash light, small hammer, chisel, and awl. Along with my normal gear.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:Safe to assume the chisel and awl were for slag?
Reply:Yes! I’ve never taken a structural welding test where a grinder was allowed. Pipe tests, yes. The flash light is handy too. Most testing booths are pretty dark, and after looking at that bright light, sometime the flash light really helps to see.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:Very good thinking sir, thank you. I'll be adding those items to my kit. Seeing as the lady really just said bring steel toes, ima assume the rest is up to me. Worse case I just leave it in the truck.
Reply:Originally Posted by FlashedVery good thinking sir.
Reply:I always dress in my welding clothing but have a set that's a bit nicer than the others for interviews and tests. I just wear a button up shirt tucked in and bring everything else that I will need to weld. Good call on the flashlight and picks. I may have not had a toe/slag problem in 10 practice tests but there always seems to be a piece of slag stuck in my test that I can't get out with my hammer.
Reply:Hopefully uv done some fluxcore 3g practice before. Its kinda tricky seeing how quickly and with how much step-up you need to make with each pass. At least for me when i did my first flux core 3g. Good luck. Let us know how it went and snap a pic of ur finished weld if u can.Dynasty 200DX   (2014)Millermatic 211 (2015)Optrel 864   (2014)Smith Medium duty MBA 30510 (Xmas 2014)Tennsmith 16ga 4ft finger brake (2015)Trailblazer 325 EFI and excel Thermal dynamics Cutmaster 82Miller maxtron 450
Reply:Let that 3g cool between passes, and keep it clean with that sharp chisel like CEP says.Don't point the gun up much, keep it at 90 deg to the plate.Bring a piece of scrap with you to dial the machine in.Heavy glove on your prop hand, and keep a firm grip on the trigger while welding.If your any good with Fcaw-G you'll own the tests.Good luck, or better yet, good skill.Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Well gentleman, not to sound the alarm but I believe I got the job. I was wrong on the 1g position, it was solid wire. The 1g I sort of struggled on because the table they put me on was a bit high for me to see the sides tying in. Plus that wire was bigger than any id used before and burned super hot. I wasn't able to practice but one pass first (on both 1g and 3g) then tested. I wasn't allowed a grinder but the inspector did allow me to use a needle gun that was provided for slag removal. I wasn't allowed to have my phone in view of him for fear of being kicked out the shop, so I didn't even attempt to check the time. He was very surprised on my 3g FCAW. To me it looked beautiful and I couldn't be happier. He inspected every pass and watched over my shoulder to make sure I wasn't weaving. Thanks again for all the advice and help. I'm off to the doc for the drug test.