Dream Job Weld Test

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I have a chance to get my dream job next week. It means a better future for my family. The pay will be over $30/hr within 4 years and the benefits are great. 25 people will be weld tested. Over half will be hired. There will be lots of training before I'm allowed to weld on the job. The test weld is a 6" long   3/8" fillet weld performed with 6 passes of 3/32" 7018. I'm pretty accomplished with a MIG and OK with a TIG machine. I have little experience with stick. I do have the rod at home to use on my squarewave 175. I figure I'll turn it up to about 100 amps DCEP and perform several practice welds. Inspection is visual only. I have a week to prepare. Are there any helpful suggestions in passing this test?
Reply:Laying a nice stringer with 7018 is fairly easy, it's an easy electrode to work with. The first thing I would say is practice! but thats a given . So I guess the second thing is to try and find a comfortable position in which to hold the stinger. I kind of grab it towards the end and put my forefinger over the top, but whatever works for you. Also I would say a steady hand, you dont have to do any whipping or weaving so it's just about going in a straight line. You should be able to weld 6" with one electrode so stopping and starting is kind of unimportant, unless they want you to. Which is very common in test scenarios. hmm, what else.. I found it helpful when I started out to watch the puddle behind the electrode as an indicator of speed/heat. You can see that if it is a nice near-full-moon shape then you are doing okay, if it starts to stretch out with a pointy tail you are either going too fast or your amps are too high. Last thing, I would say is to watch your leg size on the vertical plate. Starting off, you might find that you have the tendancy to favor the horizontal plate and build up too much, so don't be afraid to stick it up there. Oh, and good luck!!
Reply:I find 3/32 to be a pain to weld with, partly because the only time I use it is to weld something thin so I have my amps turned way down, and because its so flimsy. I have a tough time striking an arc. It either sticks or I end up long arcing which causes porosity. I usually grab the stinger on the end and hold the rod between my fingers with one hand and grab the rod about half way down with my thumb and forefinger with the other hand. You can't hold it long, but long enough to establish an arc. If I can use a grinder on the test I usually strike my arc on top of last bead and then roll down in and carry the pass on. It only takes a second to wipe it off and saves having porosity show up in an X-ray. I know you said a visual only though.If you don't mind I'm a little curious what this company welds that require this many passes with this small of rod?Oh and what is the address of the place their testing? I better have the time too!Just kidding about that last paragraph.
Reply:Originally Posted by Gus_MahnThe pay will be over $30/hr within 4 years and the benefits are great.
Reply:Originally Posted by MAC702Is this some type of apprenticeship?  What's the starting pay?The test seems weird to me, too, but that's certainly their perogative.  7018 makes for an easy visual appearance in even a seasoned novice's hands.  And is this all flat position?  SIX passes on a 3/8 material?  What are they making?  Some reason they aren't using an Invision MIG and just cranking these parts out?This is all out of sheer curiosity, mind you.  Seems like a good deal.  Practice for a weekend, and and 24/25 of you should all be stellar.  There's always ONE, afterall...
Reply:This test sounds to me like they want to see what people are able to do, it may have nothing what-so-ever to do with the job, but a good proving ground.StephenI'd rather be hunting........USE ENOUGH HEAT.......Drifting around Aussie welding more pipe up, for something different.....wanting to get home.
Reply:A Little background on 7018.  It is used for the highest quality shield metal arc welds (SMAW) on steels requiring 70,000 psi tensile strength.  7018 is a low hydrogen rod, intended to be kept dry in a rod oven once the original package has been opened.  It is kept dry to prevent introducing hydrogen into the weld metal where it may cause porosity and cracking.  This cracking is commonly called hydrogen embrittlement, hydrogen induced cracking, cold cracking, delayed cracking, and underbead cracking.  These names apply since hydrogen causes brittleness and cracking after a delay time, when the weld is cold, and it typically occurs in the heat affected zone (HAZ) under the actual weld bead.A couple of things I recall being taught about running 7018.  Hold a very tight arc length.  If you pull a long arc with 7018 you will likely get porosity!No "whipping and pausing" as you might do with 6011 on a vertical up.    If you're welding a horizontal position fillet, one plate flat on the table and the other perpendicular and vertical, you may want to try a very slight weave, with a long pause while pointed at the upper weld toe, and a shorter duration physical tap of the rod on the base plate or lower weld toe.  This type of motion helps get penetration on the upper plate while also filling in and preventing undercut.  This weld is done with a slight drag angle, maybe 10 degrees, and the rod is angled at about 30 degrees of the horizontal so that it is pointed more directly at the vertical plate.  This helps fight gravity.
Reply:Originally Posted by MAC702Is this some type of apprenticeship?  What's the starting pay?The test seems weird to me, too, but that's certainly their perogative.  7018 makes for an easy visual appearance in even a seasoned novice's hands.  And is this all flat position?  SIX passes on a 3/8 material?  What are they making?  Some reason they aren't using an Invision MIG and just cranking these parts out?This is all out of sheer curiosity, mind you.  Seems like a good deal.  Practice for a weekend, and and 24/25 of you should all be stellar.  There's always ONE, afterall...
Reply:$30/hr?  Where do I fax my resume?  Why do they make you wait for the money?  Do they mind if you hold out and not do your best work till then?
Reply:7018 is easy..are you going to be able to adjust your machine to your liking or is it take it as it comes?you really should be able to do your own tinkering..that should be part of the test anyhow..if you can run it at 110-120 amps..length of cables has alot to do with it(and turn it to 0 when your done  )...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:if you are any kind of a welder 3/23 7018 should bve abreeze as stated in one of the posts keep a tight arc and good luck.
Reply:Another good tip:  Watch the width of the puddle and keep it consistent.  Adjust speed as needed to do this.
Reply:Is this position by chance called a "Metals Mechanic" or something like that?It sounds kinda familiar.You should be fine with some practice.Patrick
Reply:Originally Posted by Sober_PollockIs this position by chance called a "Metals Mechanic" or something like that?It sounds kinda familiar.You should be fine with some practice.
Reply:No, I took a written test last year with a large group of people. They were giving several different tests at the same time. (Electrician, I&E, and Metals Mechanic)I ended taking a job with another company (Closer to home).....And back in the steel industry (I love steel  )Any-ways.....I know a lot of guys who got in as apprentice metals mechanics. I know what caliber welders they were when they took the test.Let's just say the test must not have been that tough. I don't know if it is the same or simmilar place you are testing for. I don't want to say anything to give it away.If it is the same; If your a decent welder, and you practice, you should do O.K.I wish you luck.Patrick
Reply:The only thing I might add is to keep your beads relatively flat.  When doing multiple passes with 7018 you can get lack of fusion or trapped slag at the edges if your beads are crowned.
Reply:Originally Posted by Sober_PollockNo, I took a written test last year with a large group of people. They were giving several different tests at the same time. (Electrician, I&E, and Metals Mechanic)I ended taking a job with another company (Closer to home).....And back in the steel industry (I love steel  )Any-ways.....I know a lot of guys who got in as apprentice metals mechanics. I know what caliber welders they were when they took the test.Let's just say the test must not have been that tough. I don't know if it is the same or simmilar place you are testing for. I don't want to say anything to give it away.If it is the same; If your a decent welder, and you practice, you should do O.K.I wish you luck.
Reply:one thing that may or may not be important to them but it's vital to some companies is ark strikes I.E. you're welding along and your rod shorts out or "sticks" and you wiggle it back and forth to break it loose and once it breaks it whips across leaving a little trail of burn spots on the metal. well with some comapnies this doesn't matter but to some they'll drop you on the spot. i don't know if they'll be checking for arc strikes during the visual or not but it's something to keep in mind. good luck!
Reply:Umm.....Excuse Me.....That's "DA Region"!!!Born and raised in GaryLet me know how things go.Good Luck!Patrick
Reply:Zapster are you also on F-150online?(quote) Yup..The one and only... but i dont go there all that often anymore..too many smartarses there lately..but i still have my core of friends there that i chat with ocasionally... ...zap!Last edited by zapster; 09-23-2006 at 04:42 PM.I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:I passed the test My welds were ok: No undercut, No arc strikes, No inclusions, and well tied together. The fillet was a little large, and the profile was not perfect but was ok. As predicted here, only a few didn't pass. I'm sitting in a great spot to get the job. I'm very enthusiastic about the chance to learn new skills and make a better living for my wife and kids
Reply:Good to hear it.A small piece of advice:WHile others are trying to do fast work, make your focus to do GOOD work.  In the end, they will get the crappy work and you will get the good work.   ...and always have pride in your work.
Reply:Originally Posted by EngloidGood to hear it.A small piece of advice:WHile others are trying to do fast work, make your focus to do GOOD work.  In the end, they will get the crappy work and you will get the good work.   ...and always have pride in your work.
Reply:When I was teaching, one thing I always told the guys...  "if you do crappy work, you will get faster at crappy work.  If you do good work, you will get faster at good work."  In the end, doing the job right the first time will give the best quality.  Rework sucks.
Reply:remember cosmetics is everythingalong with doing the job right..glad you passed... on to bigger and better things......zap!Last edited by zapster; 10-03-2006 at 09:31 PM.I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.Congrats..... when will you find out about the job?***************************************Lincoln AC225 stick welderLincoln HD100 WeldPak flux core wire feed welderThree of the cheapest grinders money can buy