need advice on arc test comeing up!

[Rakestraw]

Well.. this is the thing,I'm applying for a ship builder position which entails welding 1/2 inch plate which I haven't done yet. I do have my S.M.A.W. certificate which I got in 1999.I've only had one welding job since then doing Iron work for 5 months which was welding 1/4 inch angle (single pass).When I was working I was very good at what I did so brushing up wont be a problem,the problem in which I'm seeking advice is doing multiple passes in vertical and overhead on 1/2 inch.any and all advice is being saught.The test is horizontal,vertical and overhead with no backing.

[Gaustin]

I have never worked for shipyards but have some time fixing Navy ships and Subs. However the info I have applies t o all tests.

1) When doing ANY multipass groove weld be aware of where you are placing your beads. If you are trying to decide whether to split a layer into one, two or three etc.. beads, be aware of how tight the groove formed at the last edge tyou have to tie into will be.
2) If you are given the option of stringers or weaves keep in mind how much electrode you will use up in the length of the plate. If you are going to have starts and stops, stagger them or use stringers allowing you to get all the way through the joint.
3) Clean your lenses
4) Keep the arc short, watch the trailing edge of the puddle to assure consisntent speed. If you are weaving pause at the sides long enough to get fusion. Travel across the middle fast but make sure the arc melts the undrlying base metal.
5) If there is flexibility in where the coupons are position in the test booth, USE it. Move them to a comfortable height. If they are near a wall, rotate it around to where you can rest your body on the wall. If at all possible get as few joints (Shoulder, Elbow, wrist finger etcc) between what you are propped on and the arc.
6) Overhead is just like flat except you should keep a shorter arc length.
7) Keep the runoff tabs or ends of the plate filled.
If welding on a backing strip, make sure it is tightly fit.

Here is a page I made referring to bead sequence. http://weldingdata.com/beadSequence.htm

There amy be more. Gotta go take a starter off!

[robrob]

Please give us an update and let us know how the test went and what techniques you used.

[itsmecord]

I would like to see your outcome as well so keep us updated.Good Luck !

[Bikespot]

Do you have a welder to practice on?

If you dont its going to be very hard to pass with no hands on practice. Go to take a college course if you can.

Good luck

[arandall]

Good luck with the test Rakestraw.

Art R.

[southern boy]

I know this post is a bit old, but let me interject a tip here. Anytime you take a test for certified work, it is imperative you get the piece as clean as possible. The first time I took the d 1.5 test ( one inch plate, 7018 rod vertical) my youth and arrogance caused me to fail it. Everything was a race. It was set up, and lit up, like I was late for dinner. The only time it was allowed to cool was when the piece got so hot that it was blowing out on the top. Beautiful beads, and the cover pass almost looked like art. I was sick when I received the test piece back. It looked like a honeycomb. (it was a bend test). There were inclusions everywhere. In my mad rush to finish the test and go home I neglected to properly clean out ALL of the slag in the little crevices that inevitably occur with multiple passes like that. They just got chipped, brushed, and the next pass. The instructor was one of those quiet types that had a sea of wisdom behind his eyes, and when he spoke people listened. He told me " come back next week. Bring a scratch awl sharpened to a needle point, and use it to chisel every bit of slag out of the welds down where your hammer cant reach. And don't let the piece get so damn hot. When you start loosing it at the top, STOP, and let it cool for a while."
That was the best damn welding advice I ever got. And I have passed every test after that on the first try. They usually give you more time than you need for the test. USE it. Hope this helps someone.

Chris

[robrob]

Sounds like great advice Chris, thanks for sharing.

Rob

[Kiwimike]

Chris is right, take your time and cleanliness is everything. Clean up the root run like you are going to eat lunch off it. Use the Awl like Chris suggests and go to a Welding Shop (Not Home Depot) and buy yourself the stiffest wire brush known to mankind and wear it out on your welds.
Any minute speck of slag or impurity you leave behind will cause porosity and a weld failure.

[southern boy]

Sounds like great advice Chris, thanks for sharing.

Rob

No problem, sir! Yeah, I forgot to mentioned that I wore out a "homedepot" wire brush on that test piece! Here is another tidbit; if you cant reach slag in a tight spot even with your awl, use a hammer to beat your awl in there like a chisel. You may have to really hit it hard. What this will do is beat the slag into powder, so you can brush it out with your wire brush.

Chris