welding test question

admin

guys i am new to this forrum, and if you don't mind i need some questions answered.I am a electrician. I also went to school for welding about 2 years ago. My company want me to take a welding test tomorrow. From what i understand it will be one of the easier ones a plate test with a but weld, verically and overhead. There will be no gap so i don't have to lay the root with 6010. Instead the bevels will be butted up together and i will run a 7018 rod. My question is can i just run vertical stringers???  I am told that this is ok by those who have took it. I usally weave the vertical passes. But since there is no gap and i have not welded in so long i would be more comfortable with straight stringers. Will they run ok if i just stay with my puddle like usual?? but how close should my rod be???? I guess i don't want it to break through. Should i just hold it as close as i can to the surface? I will be buffing with a wire wheel after each rod. I also plan on grinding the back flat (if they let me) and laying one more stringer on the other side. I think after my first pass i will lay 2 more on top the one for my filler and 3 on top the 2 for my cap. Does this sound correct??? I will do the same for overhead.I hope some of you can help. I am kinda nervous. thanx in advanceLast edited by dreaux; 03-10-2009 at 08:43 PM.
Reply:Well, I don;t want to discourage you, but if you are taking a test tomorrow and have to ask these questions you are gonna be in trouble I'm afraid.  Yes you can run stringers but on a vertical with 7018 there will have to be some rod manipulation involved.  Grind the joints clean even an inch or so out from the joint.  What thickness plate, and what size rod?  Grind the toes to remove undercut if they will let you, and knock down any high spots before the next pass.  Also run the rod slightly pointed uphill in an upward progression slightly weaving the rod, and pausing on on the sides slightly to see the edges tie in and fill.  As far as overhead goes I run the rod pretty much just like I do in a flat position.  You can probably run the rod in a straight line with just a touch of side to side wiggle.  Don't move to slow or your weld puddle will fall out or drip.  Good luck...I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Dreaux:   Will there be a backing strip? What thickness will the plate be? If you haven't welded in a while probably safer to use stringers vertical and overhead with a short arc length on those 7018's.    Good luck!
Reply:I can weave a pass just fine but i have only done it with a 1/8 gap. THere will be no gap so should i run my root straight?? Or weave or manipulate like u said????  It will be a xray test. and i am sure it will be the smallest plate they have.
Reply:Dreaux:  I am going to have to bow out and let the more experienced welders give advice.  I have 3 1/2 semesters of welding school to pull from unlike some that have been doing it all their life.  I just don't want to lead you wrong with what is at stake.good luck.
Reply:Dreaux, it sounds like you are taking the equivalent of the D1.1 structural test. If Im not mistaken you will be welding on 3/8 plate with a backing strip. I guess everybody does it different but I would run stringers.Shake and Bake
Reply:i think you are correct about the type of test. The only question that i have since i have always weaved is, when i run the stringer should i run it straight like horizontal and overhead??? I know i will be pointed slightly upward as the other technique, but should i just stay with my puddle and run straight up?? or will i have to manipulate it. If there is a backing strip, how much of a danger is a blowout??? Never heard of them before
Reply:When I say stringers, I mean make several passes to fill the groove instead of one single pass across. I use a slight weaving motion, and pause slightly on the edges.Shake and Bake
Reply:but you would run your root straight right???? So after i run my root, i should fill my gap with 2 stringers saddling the first, correct??? I will use a slight weave like say 2 times the diameter of my rod.I really appreciate your help.
Reply:they should let me grind out some of my fill to get better joints for my next pass right???
Reply:I would weave my root also. If you run it straight you take a chance of not getting the sides tied in. Then 2 stringers, and so forth till you get it filled out, and get a cover on it.Shake and Bake
Reply:Yes, you should be able to use a grinder if you need one.Shake and Bake
Reply:Dreaux:   I can answer that question for you.  If the test involves a backing strip basically that means you will have a piece of 1/4" metal 2" wide and at least 4" longer than your plate with bevels If your plates are 6" then backing will be at least 10".  They will hang over beveled plates 2" on each end. These are used to start and stop on. Use them to build up your weld to make sure it fill up bevels completely.  There will be a 1/4" gap between plates and backing strip will be tacked up on each end of each beveled plate and then turned over and small tack on each side of strip onto plates in center.  Does this make sense?  Your first pass will be strung up with a slight manipulation of rod to point to each bevel to tie in at a 5-10 degree angle pointed up.  Keep a close arc. Use 3/32 rod.(I could be off on the length of backing strip)  I passed AWS 1" plate test vertical and overhead with backing strip.  As JWC mentioned probably will be 3/8 thick.
Reply:Sorry to tell ya this but if you haven't welded in two years and you are testing tomorrow and you have all these questions you can't possibly pass a test.Gordie -- "I believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."