AWS 1G certification - preparing the weld surface

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We are practicing the for the 1G cert in my welding class.  We were given three pieces of metal and told "Go!"  Not much of any explanation about how to prepare the weld surface, how to position the pieces on the table, or how to effectively make a tack weld with SMAW.What kind of disk is best to prep the weld surface?  I can't hold two pieces of metal and make a tack with the SMAW electrode, is there some trick to setting the metal in place?  What does a good tack took like for SMAW or do I need to just make sure the tack holds?Thanks!
Reply:Everything applies other than you'll be playing with thinner and flat.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:You don't get any instruction? Curious. Asking questions should be the first thing to do, as a student.Grind the backing bar shiny on one side, or both sides if you're an over achiever. Grind an inch back from the bevel (including cleaning up the bevel) on front and back. Hold the first plate flat on the backing bar about halfway and tack the bottom edge where it meets the backing bar, about 1/4". Flip over and do the same for the top edge. Repeat for the other half of the plate. Leave a 1/8 gap.. you can eyeball it or use a 1/8 (flux removed) as a spacer. Flip over the plate and place 2 or 3 tacks on each side of the backing bar where it meets the plate. One on each edge and one in the middle for good luck. Sit the plate on the table in front of you so the groove runs horizontally. Weld. Start at the bottom end of the backing bar, proceed to the very top. Be sure to fuse in the edges of the plates when you get to them. I usually oscillate or weave the rod around a bit to make sure I've melted in. Also make sure you do not undercut the bottom and top edges on your cap. When you get to the plate slow down as you come up into the bevel and maybe pause a bit to fill in the crater before you continue. On a test you can get busted for having undercut in the corners like that.Or just watch the video. Last edited by akabadnews; 10-12-2013 at 06:54 PM.
Reply:That video was extremely helpful.  It gave me a much better idea of what I need to do.  I asked the TA, "Is this what you're looking for?" after trying to remove the mill scale and grind in the land.  He yelled at me," What do you think?"  He's not helpful and I'm not the only person that struggled to figure out what was going on.  Thanks again for the suggestions, I'll have it figured out for the next class!