Welding Noob would like to join, need help....

By forexnoob101 Date 04-03-2009 13:58

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forums. I've been working in the construction industry for 5 years with a major General Contractor as a QC/QA Inspector here in Chicago. I am looking to get into the world of welding as an inspector. I must honestly say I have no experience in welding yet other then watching sub-contractors weld and the welding inspectors verify the work. I guess I have some real basic questions.

Would someone like me be able to take the AWS/CWI D1.1 Test? Are their any requirements beforehand?

Is it hard to obtain a job with the experience I have in construction?

Is it preferred I take the AWS/CWI D1.1 or the D1.5 test? What is the difference?

What woud the pay range from?

Any help would be great to start with. Thanks guys.

Charles
forexnoob101@gmail.com

By OBEWAN

Date 04-03-2009 14:10

I think you need 5 years experience in welding or welding inspection to take the CWI test. They used to give 2 years credit for a 4 year degree in welding.

By forexnoob101 Date 04-03-2009 15:29

Okay so lets say I had the 5 years of welding experience as an inspector. Then if I take my CWI test and pass. What would the answers to the questions in the orginal post be? Any help would greatly help. Thanks.

By OBEWAN

Date 04-03-2009 15:59

CWI's probably average $50-$60K, but some with contract consulting work might clear $100K.

I think you can take the test using D1.1, ASME, or API codes. API is supposed to be the easiest. Some people say the ones they have worked with in the past are easiest though.

When you get your cert, it is good for any code. So, you would be qualified to work anywhere. Some people might ask you what you tested on, but it might not matter to them. Work experience would be the overriding factor.

By Kix

Date 04-03-2009 18:33

Check out this thread. http://www.aws.org/cgi-bin/mwf/topic_show.pl?tid=20625 It will answer a few of your questions.