welding inspectors

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Well i have decided that i want to be an inspector and dont really know what all i need to do in order to prepare for the exam....so any help on this subject would be appreciated..
Reply:First you need to join the American Welding Society.Then find out when the exams take place and where they take place.Get an eye exam and send that to the American Welding Society along with your intent and payment of fees to take the exam.When you arrive at the exam site usually a hotel. You will have about one week of exam prep and they will give you materials for taking the exam and books that you will need.The exam takes 6 hours and you must get a certain percentage of the questions and other portions of the test correct to pass. there is no welding but you will be given samples of weldments to inspect.The welding inspection process starts even before the actual welding starts,not after the welding is complete.But before you do all of this it would be good to learn how to weld.You will also need to learn welding symbols or at least be able to look them up when necessary.You can go to a junior college or welding trade school.Many times the welding inspector is also a welder. You could spend your entire career welding and you might not meet a welding inspector.Usually they are in the structural welding arena or maybe shipbuilding etc.,.Last edited by Donald Branscom; 09-26-2008 at 12:36 AM.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:There are many types of welding inspectors. Anyone with the ability can do it for most codes. AWS D1.1 says this about qualificationsThe acceptable qualification basis shall be the following:(1) Current or previous certification as an AWS CertifiedWelding Inspector (CWI) in conformance with theprovisions of AWS QC1, Standard for AWS Certificationof Welding Inspectors, or(2) Current or previous qualification by the CanadianWelding Bureau (CWB) in conformance with the requirementsof the Canadian Standard Association (CSA)Standard W178.2, Certification of Welding Inspectors, or(3) An individual who, by training or experience, orboth, in metals fabrication, inspection and testing, iscompetent to perform inspection of the work.If you are speaking about the AWS CWI program, the amount of preparation is going to be something that only you can decide. There are excellent study materials and refernce books available from AWS and other sources. You can also take courses that help prepare you for the test.Some people have been succesful with self study, other with the course. Its my opinion that self study with the goal of learning is more powerful than any course with the goal of passing. Even if the course works the 1st time.Much of the information is the same it has been for years. The AWS publications department has quite a few materials they will sell you.Have a nice dayhttp://www.weldingdata.com/
Reply:Can you weld...........anything? Are you willing to tell someone like Donald that his weld just failed the visual?? Welding is incredibly complex. I've know since 1977 that I have volumes to learn. I've been in welding class for three years now, and I embarrass myself every night; twice a week.  You don't get to start at the top, you have to work your way up. Don't give up, but welding is a science AND an art. The guys that can weld multi-process and out of position are artists and magicians.9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:In my opinion having the ability to weld can be a two edged sword. I have seen some fine inspectors who have never welded and some sorry inspectors that were great welders. Some of the slickest welders I have seen. Being able to weld does not give anyone any insight into the acceptability of the weld. The things a welding inspector must know will vary a great deal depending upon the industry. The technical knowledge required to become a CWI can be gained without being able to weld or knowing anything about techniques . Welding comes in handy but I do not think its necessary. The skillsets for a welder and an inspector can be completely different but based on some very similar knowledge.Have a nice dayhttp://www.weldingdata.com/
Reply:Here is the information for the AWS CWI program . http://www.aws.org/certification/CWI/Have a nice dayhttp://www.weldingdata.com/
Reply:well i am currently taking classes at a jr college that will help me get certified in stick and tig, thankyou for all the helpful info, but my instructor said that i had to have welding experience before becoming an inspector,,,,which i know isnt true
Reply:ohh about how long will i need to study? i found a test date about 2 months from now,,,i am a rather smart person, and i dont plan on taking anny seminars
Reply:The experience and education requirements may be an issue. The AWS CWI program has requirememnts for either experience, or education or a combination of both. The experience may be in welding or related fields, NDE, Engineering, etc.You do have to have some experience. It just does not have to be as a welder. No place does it indicate you must be able to weld.If you are in some type of 2 year degree program for welding I would think that much of that can count towards experience. In addition if the course included theory related to welding, strength of materials, Destructive and Non Destructive testing, metallurgy, welding terms and definitions, welding symbols, welding processes welder qualification, procedure qualification, codes and standards, etc. You will have a good core knowledge for the CWI test.  The more experience you have in the industry, the more valuable you will be as an inspector. In my opinion as an inspector and welder, if you were to be a CWI today with no specific industry experience, you are much less marketable than someone without A CWI but with actual documented experience as a Welding Inspector.Have a nice dayhttp://www.weldingdata.com/
Reply:The amount of study required is very much an individual thing. It is wholly based on your knowledge.If you sole purpose for study is to pass the test then I think your lack of experience will be very evident upon your 1st job. Read the AWS QC1 document. See if you even meet the requirements.Have a nice dayhttp://www.weldingdata.com/
Reply:The QC1 document now refers to another document. here is that text in part5.2 Welding Inspector. A Welding Inspector (WI):5.2.1 Shall be a high school graduate, or hold a stateor military approved high school equivalency diploma(e.g., GED).5.2.2 Shall have a minimum of five (5) years experiencein an occupational function that has a direct relationshipto welded assemblies fabricated to national orinternational standards and be directly involved in one ormore of the areas listed under 5.5.5.2.3 Alternatives to 5.2.1 and 5.2.2, with supportingdocumentation (e.g., copies of transcripts or letters ofreference specifying earned credit hours of training) maybe substituted as follows:5.2.3.1 Eighth grade level schooling with a minimumof 9 years work experience in any of the weldingfunctions as defined under 5.5.5.2.3.2 Less than an eighth grade level schoolingwith a minimum of 12 years work experience in any ofthe welding functions as defined under 5.5.5.2.3.3 A maximum of two (2) years of post-highschool education may be substituted for an equal numberof years of the required five years experience, providedstudies are relevant to any of the functions as definedunder 5.5. Credit is given as follows:(1) Associate or higher degree. Two years maximumif the degree is in engineering technology, engineering,or physical sciences.(2) Engineering/Technical School Courses. Twoyears maximum, and only for successfully completedcourses* in a curriculum that can be (or could be) appliedto (1) above.(3) Trade/Vocational Courses. One year maximum,and only for successfully completed courses* in a curriculumrelated to welding that can be (or could be) appliedto (1) above.*Note: “Courses in a curriculum” means courses withina program toward a degree, diploma, or certificate, to beapplied to item (1) above. “Successfully completedcourses” means a completed quarter or semester withcredit in that course. Documentation of the number ofactual hours completed is necessary prior to notificationof actual credit allowed.Have a nice dayhttp://www.weldingdata.com/
Reply:so after this 1st year of school i have to work for 4 years?
Reply:Thats what it looks like. Of course if you have the knowledge level comparable with that of a CWI then you could possibly get a job doing inspection with a lab or something like that. Not all jobs require you to be a CWI. Some companies may have their own internal training and cert program.The experience is a matter of time. The knowledge is a matter of dedication and work ethics. The experience is an easy one. Its a "for sure" thing after a period of time. The knowledge is a different creature !Have a nice dayhttp://www.weldingdata.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by hungerfordohh about how long will i need to study? i found a test date about 2 months from now,,,i am a rather smart person, and i dont plan on taking anny seminars
Reply:hmm well regardless of the seminar as of right now i dont have the necessary experience to even take the test.....unless there is a loop hole?
Reply:There are no loopholes I am aware of. The experience can be gained in many ways. There is an ad currently running for welding inspectors helpers in my now local area in southeast New Mexico. I have worked with inspectors in the past who went to school specifically to be an inspector (these guys were doing x-ray inspection or destructive testing and both are a totally different ball game from visual inspection, but I think the experience can be applied toward the CWI since they also did visual throughout the process, though I could be wrong as I am not a CWI). Like the guys said above you don't get to start at the top you have to work your way up.
Reply:Originally Posted by OldtimerThere are no loopholes I am aware of. The experience can be gained in many ways. There is an ad currently running for welding inspectors helpers in my now local area in southeast New Mexico. I have worked with inspectors in the past who went to school specifically to be an inspector (these guys were doing x-ray inspection or destructive testing and both are a totally different ball game from visual inspection, but I think the experience can be applied toward the CWI since they also did visual throughout the process, though I could be wrong as I am not a CWI). Like the guys said above you don't get to start at the top you have to work your way up.
Reply:Being a welder is like being a musician. In the first few minutes in the spotligh, the other welders or musicians will see you perform a task, (play a note) and they will have you pegged. They will know if you have paid your dues.Once i went to a job and because i wore new TIG gloves and my new helmet, the guy that was in charge made a comment that i looked inexperienced. After I finished my weld coupons I was hired on the spot. The other men in the shop were just passing my weld coupon around to each other checking it out.I really knew I was getting somewhere when i went to a welding store and tried out a Miller Maxstar151 which was new at the time. My weld coupon was so good the store manager put it on display to show what the machine was capable of if the operator had the skill.Before THAT, other welders showed ME how far I had to go.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:yeah i got yall, the whole loop hole thing was a joke and by the end of next semester i should be certified, but thank you all for the help
Reply:...and remember that it's not intelligence that passes the CWI exam, it's KNOWLEDGE.  Example:  Do you know how to tell the filler designation for electroslag welding?  Do you know the difference in underfill and suckback?  Can you define undercut?  What's the difference in the actual and theoretical throat?You'll need to know things like that to pass the test.
Reply:is suck back addressed in the code, any code?
Reply:Yes. Asme Sec I, VIII, B31.1, B31.3 and I am sure others address it. The term used is root concavity. The amount allowed varies. Often times it is allowed provided the overall thickness of the weld is not reduced below t he wall thickness.Thus a pipe with 1/16" concavity and 1/16" external reinforcement is acceptable provided the contour is within the requirements of the code etc.Many inspectors aften times reject welder performance tests on this type of discontinuity saying it is not allowed by code and are actually mis representing what the codes says. Project requirements, company requirements, etc.. may very well add requirements that further restrict this type of discontinuity (or many others)Have a nice dayhttp://www.weldingdata.com/
Reply:Yes, the "correct" term is root concavity. Suck back is a non standard term, not mentioned in any code.
Reply:I wasn't sure if you were asking about the condition or the term.Have a nice dayhttp://www.weldingdata.com/