Passed my 1g open root plate SMAW today!!! Step by step, kinda.

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There aren't very many of my friends who would even know how important this test was for me. So now I have passed all positions plate with backing strip, and now my first open root. My syllabus only called for me to complete to vertical up backing strip, so I am way ahead. (knock on wood.) For any noobs like me who like to know the setup:1/2 plate 30 degree bevel with torch. 1/8 land <--on table sander.clamped both pieces upside down to welding table with 1/8 tig tube as my spacer.Mig welded the 2 strongbacks onto the back, hit it with the brush wheel on grinder and boom ready to weld. Took a couple pieces of scrap and gave them rough fitup and ran a 1/8 6010 to determine my machine settings. I went with 78a (reverse polarity, or electrode to positive.) I did not use start tabs on the end (because instructor said no, and I didnt ask why) I started the arc and pushed through the gap in order to get a keyhole started, The I knid of flicked my wrist away and to the puddle keeping it uniform and fully penetrating the bevels on the landing. I ran out of stick approx. 1/3 of the way down the plate. (I pull left to right)I then took the test plate (which popped a tack on the strong back as i went) to the grinding booth and hit the whole weld with the wire wheel. I then feathered the edge from keyhole to about 3/4 inch up my weld with a grinding stone on the grinder. I ran another 1/8 6010 starting at my grind and working toward the keyhole, and same as the first ended at about the 2/3 mark on my plate, repeated the process and boom root was in, had about a 3/8 bead on the underside, pretty uniform and fully penetrated (no bevel marks at all.) I then, took the plate to the grinding booth and hit a few of the splatter balls and checked for undercut. It had a few tiny spots, but i just wire wheeled them and went back to start my 7018 passes. I again checked the machine by testing the 7018 (same polarity as 6010) on some junk 1/2 from the bin. I decided to run at 142a. (my classmates insisted it was too hot) I ran a bead down the test plate pausing on either side and fast through the middle. The slag was very hard to remove, but upon wire wheeling and inspection, the weld was beautiful. My instructor was impressed at the root and hot pass quality and told me to cap it on out. So I ran another (i call it a mini weave) slightly manipulated bead down the plate but this time I turned the machine down to about 125a. The slag was slightly easier to remove on this pass. Cleaned it checked for undercut and ran 2 stringers, then 3 stringers over those. Grinded it, cut the ends off (about 1/2 inch off either end.) Then cut my 3 coupons and grinded some more. slightly rounding the edges for a smooth look. cooled them.The name of our tester is "The Heartbreaker" (and it has broken my heart a few times) All of my classmates were watching since it was right after cleanup. I bent my first piece root bend and boom bent all the way. I stuck my face bend in and got to about 12k pressure and BOOM, a big break, I was upset because from my angle it looked like a fail inside my weld, but the instructor informed me the base metal failed. (whatta relief) Then my last root bend folded over like a Thai hooker, and Boom I passed.I hope this post sounds good to everyone, and perhaps helps a noob like me learn something.
Reply:Congrats, and take ALL the extra tests you can! We encouraged students to do that because nothing prepares for the test on the jobsite like taking plenty of tests beforehand.You did good setting the heat on scrap. ALWAYS do that. We taped over the indicators on our Idealarcs so the students never tried to rely on numbers in the first place. That way when they got to some beatup eight-pack in the field they wouldn't be in the least intimidated. By the way, if you test somewhere with an eight-pack or other multiple operator system, be alert for what your module does when someone else strikes an arc! Trashed machines are common and often act oddly. They are used for testing to see if applicants can cope, so if you bust a test or have problems with one module remember WHICH module it is so you can avoid it next time.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmallCongrats, and take ALL the extra tests you can! We encouraged students to do that because nothing prepares for the test on the jobsite like taking plenty of tests beforehand.You did good setting the heat on scrap. ALWAYS do that. We taped over the indicators on our Idealarcs so the students never tried to rely on numbers in the first place. That way when they got to some beatup eight-pack in the field they wouldn't be in the least intimidated. By the way, if you test somewhere with an eight-pack or other multiple operator system, be alert for what your module does when someone else strikes an arc! Trashed machines are common and often act oddly. They are used for testing to see if applicants can cope, so if you bust a test or have problems with one module remember WHICH module it is so you can avoid it next time.
Reply:Way-to-Go jmoskee!  Rick V 1 Airco Heliwelder 3A/DDR3 CTC 70/90 amp Stick/Tig Inverters in Parallel1 Lincoln MIG PAK 151 Oxy-Acet
Reply:I am getting an associates degree in welding technologies.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmallGood for you. Study FAR beyond the minimum and you can smoke the competition when job-hunting time comes. It's all about how you weld.Plenty of people will get degrees (Pell Grant farming means vo-techs WILL fill classes one way or another) but you get to choose what YOU will get out of it.Since classroom time is far less expensive than welding time, get the most out of time in da booth. If you can bring your own prepared coupons, that's less prep time and more weld time.If you can set up a practice tree and score some plate for home practice, do it. If you can find a sympathetic welding shop, whip out some social skills and ask if you can buy some scrap to practice on. If you come by around lunch or on a Friday when things aren't wide open, that can be a chance to talk.Fun thing to do:Ask the pros what they DON'T like about tech school graduates so you can "not be that guy"! They'll get a kick out of it and it's a good conversation starter.Be humble and low-key. Your work ethic will speak for you. Study tools and equipment. Download service manuals and training materials (Miller has a good site) including videos. The Downloadhelper extension for Firefox will let you save Youtube videos for viewing at leisure.If you score some practice metal but don't have a torch to cut it, ask the instructor if you can cut coupons and leave the leftovers in the school scrap bin. More weight/money for them.Instructors normally appreciate motivated students. They have more than enough slugs.If you can do volunteer work for more booth time, do that.
Reply:Also, bring two adjustable wrenches. One needs to be have 1 1/8" capacity to remove and install regulators, and the other can be a smaller size as shown for TIG and MIG fittings and similar. Having two wrenches means you can run down OA torch nuts with your fingers, hold both nuts at the same time, and turn "against each other" to tighten without leaving wrench tracks on the torch. That gets a tight seal for safety, and it's another thing almost nobody will tell you. I like the large style shown as the spud comes in handy now and them. It's also much easier to slip a hunk of pipe over for busting loose large (NOT tender brass REGULATOR NUTS!!!) hardware when you are in the field.Used is fine. Etch your name all over it or weld your initials. Rust is nice too. I wish I were joking. It's like having an ugly mistress. You may not want to show it off but other folks are less likely to mack on it. My pretty tools stay at home. Attached ImagesLast edited by farmall; 12-08-2011 at 04:19 PM.
Reply:Wow an original Crescent.  I grew up in the town they originated in.  Still have a couple old ones kicking around....As to the OP, Congrats!Here's a suggestion as you said you had a hard time affording scrap to practice on.  Another guy on a tractor forum was learning to weld and he found a scrap yard where he "borrows" scrap from them.  He practices welding on it, and then returns it to them to exchange for fresh scrap.  They don't lose anything and they even gain a tiny bit from the weld metal he adds, and as a result they are cool with that.  Maybe you can find such a deal if you try and get lucky?  You could offer a deposit or something.-DaveXMT304 with: 22A Feeder, or HF251 Hi Freq DC TIG air cooled
Reply:You could offer a deposit or something.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmallUsed is fine. Etch your name all over it or weld your initials. Rust is nice too. I wish I were joking. It's like having an ugly mistress. You may not want to show it off but other folks are less likely to mack on it. My pretty tools stay at home.