Certification Questions

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Have some questions about certification testing. Been searching and reading but still have a few.I'm looking to take some instruction at the community college in hopes of working toward becoming certified. I've welded quite a bit and did have instruction few years ago but this would be first time to shoot for certification.For SMAW plate tests...Are the coupons prepared by the facility prior to testing as far as bevel angles? Does the facility provide tools such as grinders, etc. or is it allowed to use personal tools?Does the facility provide rods or can personal consumables be used? What is the norm for practice to set machine?What is the benefit, if any, of taking the 3/8 limited thickness opposed to the 1" unlimited?Is a WPS always provided? Any help be appreciated.AlA man is judged by what's between his legs...always ride a good horseMiller DialArc HFLincoln Classic 300DThermal Arc 181iPowermax 45Scotchman Ironworker(2) BridgeportsOkomota Surface GrinderAutoCAD 2010
Reply:Each community College is a little different but the welding coupons will be provided, or the students will shear and bevel them.Every thing will be explained to you in the class.All of the other students want to take the test and learn how the test is performed.Don't worry. One step at a time.The 3/8 plate is SMAW and the one inch plate may be FCAW.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:Originally Posted by Donald BranscomEach community College is a little different but the welding coupons will be provided, or the students will shear and bevel them.Every thing will be explained to you in the class.All of the other students want to take the test and learn how the test is performed.Don't worry. One step at a time.The 3/8 plate is SMAW and the one inch plate may be FCAW.
Reply:I have one semester of Community College Welding School behind me and focused on SMAW.  I was able to Qualify for my D1.1 unlimited certs so I will answer your questions based on my experienceFor SMAW plate tests...Are the coupons prepared by the facility prior to testing as far as bevel angles?      No, you are responsible for preparing your plates as part of the learning experience.  Using the Ironworker, track cutter, grinder, scarfing torch etc in preperation of the plate to weld and preparation of the test piecesDoes the facility provide tools such as grinders, etc. or is it allowed to use personal tools?      Yes and Yes.  They do have grinders, etc... but be prepared for them to be 'studentized', in other words 'trashed'.  I brought my own.Does the facility provide rods or can personal consumables be used?      Again, yes and yes.  I used the schools consumables.  The college I go to they charge a very low 40.00 material fee.  I used that up in the first day I think. What is the norm for practice to set machine?    At my school there are about 30 stations, and after the semester starts and gets into a groove, you will most likely gravitate towards one machine, so by the time you are ready to cert, you will know where you will need to be set at.What is the benefit, if any, of taking the 3/8 limited thickness opposed to the 1" unlimited?     Part of my learning experience is that passing the 3/8 limited was a stepping stone to the 1" unlimited.  I bent many practice plates and then hit my 3/8 cert plate (it's a mental thing) and then I went to the 1" unlimited.  Also factor in that to qualify for all-postion, you will need to do a vertical up, and overhead for each plate thickness.  Is a WPS always provided?     For me there was not.  And I commented that there should be.  I would liked to have had that to reference.  But he just gave us the particulars as we needed to know (plate thickness, included angle, root gap, backing bar thickness, etc)Jay DavisAWS-CWIC-60 Specialty Welding ContractorLoving husband, and father of two boys (
Reply:Thanks guys. I am contemplating doing this as a business. I do a lot of welding and fabricating  around our place on equipment and such as well as having been in the mechanical trades for quite a lot of years.. I've seen some of the work and business practices of other shops in the area and I think I can offer some service and value. But if I do work for others I want to know what I'm offering is good quality. Certified or not, the time under a qualified instructor will be worth it. I also need some time with tig, as I haven't done it it in quite a few years consistently and I have very little experience with mig or flux core. I'm  trying to get with the college and talk with them about my goals. But trying to get a hold of a teacher in the summer is like trying to rope the wind. I appreciate the help and any thoughts you all might have.AlA man is judged by what's between his legs...always ride a good horseMiller DialArc HFLincoln Classic 300DThermal Arc 181iPowermax 45Scotchman Ironworker(2) BridgeportsOkomota Surface GrinderAutoCAD 2010
Reply:No reason that I can think of to do the 3/8" test. If you can do that you'll be able to do the 1 inch and be unlimited. We hat to torch cut and prepare our own plates with tools provided. Two additional thoughts.. it's more important to have the skill than to be certified. If you can demonstrate the skill, the right employer will take you on and get you certified. Also try to get some work where you don't need certification to start, all of that real world experience will really help.An old timer once told me you've got to burn a mile of rod before you're really any good.....