YOU’RE A WELDER????

We were born with two ends to use…

One to sit with and one to think with.

Your success depends upon which end you use.

Just to see how you rate your skill in relation to the diversified requirements of welding today, here is a short test. Being realistic, very few can answer “YES” to all the questions, because few people have any opportunity to handle the variety. The more questions you can answer “YES”, the more you can consider yourself a truly skilled welder.

1.  Could you pass an operator qualification test on pipe? (For example, 6 inches schedule 80, A53 pipe to API 1104, ASME Section IX, AWS D.1.1)

  1. With EXX10 electrodes either vertical up or down - - your choice. Yes _____ No _____
  1. With low hydrogen electrodes - - vertical up. Yes _____ No _____

2.  Can you make a weld which will meet X-ray requirements as specified for Grade 1 (ASW spec. A-233-64T)?

  1. With low hydrogen electrode - - flat position. Yes _____ No _____
  1. With low hydrogen electrode - - vertical position. Yes _____ No _____

3.  Can you make a single or multiple pass weld equally well with either hand? Yes _____ No _____

4.  Can you weld in a confined area using a mirror? For example, welding a pipe structural steel within 6” of a wall. Yes _____ No _____

5.  Can you weld with the following processes to pass welding tests in accordance with API, AWS and ASME codes? (plate, structural, pipe, tubing or sheet steels)

  1. Innershield Yes _____ No _____
  2. Submerged arc Yes _____ No _____
  3. GTAW Yes _____ No _____
  4. GMAW Yes _____ No _____
  5. OFW Yes _____ No _____

6.  Do you have the skills and knowledge to weld and fabricate stainless steel sheet, pipe or tubing?

Yes _____ No _____

7.  Do you have the knowledge in metals, metallurgy and how to weld metals? Yes _____ No _____

8.  Do you have the experience and knowledge to read blueprints to be a self-starter in working with shop drawings or assemblies? Yes _____ No _____

9.  Can you set a GMAW machine for short-circuiting or spray transfer? Yes _____ No _____

10.  Do you have the skill or knowledge to layout to sheet metal specification or pipe fabrication?

Yes _____ No _____

11.  Do you have the skill or knowledge to control warpage and distortion and use build fixtures for fabrication? Yes ______No _____

12.  Do you have enough confidence in your ability in welding to apply for a job as a:

  1. Field welder in building construction or maintenance? Yes _____ No _____
  1. Cross country pipe line welder? Yes _____ No _____
  1. In heavy plate or structural fabrication shop? Yes _____ No _____
  1. High speed, high production, sheet metal welder? Yes _____ No _____
  1. Refinery or power plant welder? Yes _____ No _____
  1. Food processing or chemical plant? Yes _____ No _____
  1. Fossil fuel or nuclear power plant? Yes _____ No _____

13.  When fussy standards of inspection are applied (X-ray, ultrasonic, etc.) do you feel reasonably certain of what the inspector will find in the welds you have made? Yes _____ No _____

14.  Do you have enough knowledge to understand welding codes and welding procedures for the different welding processes? Yes _____ No _____

15.  Have you welded with at least four different types of electrodes or welding processes in the past year?

Yes _____ No _____

16.  Do you have enough knowledge to work safely with equipment, use the proper safety equipment and clothing to prevent injury to yourself or others? (ANSI safety spec.) Yes _____ No _____

There is always room for improvement and continual upgrading to be competitive in industry and provide quality in industrial welding.