I recently took a welding test for a tube company. I tested at their shop. I was given a test coupon with an incorrect bevel angel, rusty TIG wire and stick rods, and an old welding machine that was welding terrible. Needless to say, the test failed the bend test. The inspector saw nothing wrong with this situation. Is this allowed in any welding code? Which society oversees welding tests, and would it do any good to report this company?
If it is the company's internal test method, and they're not using what you describe in production then don't waste your time and move on to the next gig because you won't change the way they test unless you know the owner and have verifiable proof of everything you claim... Is this allowed in any code? if it's as lousy as you claim then the answer would be no to any legitimate code or standard...Then again the question is which code or standard were they testing to? Were they even testing to a specific code or standard? If you want to pursue this then you're in for a really uphill battle that you may not win.
Respectfully,
Henry
I'm not sure which code they were testing to, but the company welds boiler tubes, so I would assume that it is a boiler code. The test was a joke, and I started to walk out after putting in the root, and the inspector talked me in to staying and finishing the weld....Which was a huge waste of my time. This wasn't going to pass a bend test (or an x-ray). I almost endlessly seem to come across derelict inspectors that don't know what they are doing.
Hey Hacksaw, Don't recall seeing you around for a while. Hope all has been well.
I would caution about using the word 'inspector' unless you know for sure he is/was. He may just be the janitor but they asked him to oversee the welding test. Hopefully not but you get the idea. Most codes do not require the test to be administered or monitored by an inspector and especially not an AWS/CWI. Though more and more of the reputable fabricators are going that route to make sure all the test parameters and bends and interpretation was handled correctly, or at least as close to correct as possible.
Now, hopefully by 'inspector' you are not referring to all of those 'derelict'(s) being CWI's. But, I will not deny or refute that there aren't some.
If it is boiler work then more than likely they are working to ASME codes. But, that doesn't mean your test was to an ASME code, only that they work to them. It would be wise to test to the same code but who knows.
Sorry for your experience but if as bad as you portrayed then you are wise to just walk away and keep looking. Good luck.
He Is In Control, Have a Great Day, Brent
If you don't know what code is governing the test, how do you know the bevel was wrong?
Just being a pri*k :)
But this brings up a point that I think is important... If you are an experienced journeyman, you should have a good understanding of code (maybe even own copies of it... We welders often say we are "always learning" but sometimes neglect the book learnin aspects :)
It is totally appropriate to ask *whoever* is giving the test for a copy of the written welding procedure, Also most journeymen that have been doing tig roots for years keep a scotchbrite in the tool bag just in case there is a little corrosion on the TIG wire eh?
On the other hand... If the testing environment is super sloppy... This may be a sign the everything they do is sloppy... But you never know... I've seen crazy test set-ups just because they wanted to see how the welders would react to it... Stupid but, but I guess it's their shop.
If everybody fails the tests due to crappy test materials... eventually this will be noticed (no new employees).... If they run another add in a few weeks it might be worthwhile to see if they fixed the glitch and got somebody new to do the tests :)
There's not much you can do about the stick rod, but scotch brite and clean the tig rod and regrind the bevel on the coupon. Show confidence that you know the procedure and that you could turn out a good test. Its not just the inspector that's watching. Win lose or draw, carry yourself as a professional you will always be working.
Hacksaw-
I've taken that test myself a few times. Once the company man "inspector" hooked up the gas line for my tig rig, set the flow and told me with a glare "35 CFI, No More!" Lit up with a pure CO 2 covering gas and blew a hole through the bevel. He told me just grind it out and swap bottles. Coupon shot and I went to work. Drug up 4 days later. Loved the time a different sideshow handed me a piece of 6" seamed A500 that was primered outside and rust pitted halfway though on the inside from sitting out on the dock for the last 4 years. "It's the only pipe we got" says that asshat. Scorched em a perfect 5P make it on any gas line 6G weld and got told "None of the other guys had any weld inside, howdya do it?" Didn't even go to work for them either. Easily a dozen more horror show wasted afternoons with outfits like that. Any Big Circus is gonna have a lot of clowns. Some are funny, some are sad. Keep rolling and keeping an eye out for quality outfits looking for quality welders. Your hide will tend to get a little thick but you'll have some memories to look back and laugh at when you're telling stories over a beer. Resentment is a Load Stone. Shake it off and move on.
Gonna steal that clown quote
Just lettin ya know :)
Did you know that McDonald's will give you a free super sized combo meal and $127.38 if you go to the drive thru dressed as a clown.
With a gun.
Mr. Norris,
You should put a disclaimer in your signature to protect folks from Darwinism.
Scott,
I spewed coffee all over the keyboard reading that.
What's the date for the HBO Comedy Stand Up Special?
Lawrence,
My attorney will be in touch directly.
yojimbo,
Funny you should mention an attorney. I’ve never really gotten along with any of them. The last conversation I had with an attorney was because of my girlfriend. Believe it or not, my girlfriend actually went to see a lawyer about how much she hates it when I sneak up on her. And according to her lawyer, she also hates it when I call her my girlfriend. I tell you, there is no worse feeling in the world than lying next to the person you love and they don't even know you love them, or that you're in their house again. I still remember the first day I saw her. I was walking behind her when all of a sudden the wind blew her dress up over her head. Needless to say, she was a little embarrassed, but I really did love my new leaf blower. You hear all this talk about chasing your dream, but when I chase mine, it turns around and sprays me with mace. All this time I thought I was saying and doing all the right things, like, “I love watching you when you're sleeping.” or “I love the way your hair flows when I'm walking behind you.” These were just a couple lines that I wrote on a Valentine’s day card for my girlfriend. I thought that she’d definitely want to go out with me after she reads it, because I read an article that said women love to be showered with presents and be given lots and lots of attention. All it got me was a restraining order. The truth is, she was just paranoid. It appears that she thought that I was following her or possibly even stalking her. She appeared to be worried that I might be obsessed with her and she became afraid any time she heard a noise in her house. At least that’s what I think she wrote in her diary. It’s not easy sitting in a tree and trying to read it through binoculars. I must admit that at one point I felt like she was distancing herself from me, but then I realized that I was looking through the wrong end of my binoculars. So my girlfriend thinks I'm a stalker. Well, technically, she's not my girlfriend yet, but there can be no denying that when two people meet, and they have that initial spark, that magic, its love at first sight. Then again, when only one person has that spark, that magic, it’s called stalking. At least that’s what the police tried to tell me. In my defense, I told them that she’s just going through the seven stages of love. Then they tried to tell me that she said I disgust her and that she doesn’t even know me. To which I replied, "Duh huh...Stage 1: Denial.” Anyway, the restraining order says that I can’t be within 100 feet of her. So, I plan to call her and ask her if she’d like to play a game of Frisbee with me. I did a Google search and found out that those things can be tossed at least 200 feet, so if that’s correct, I’ll still be within my legal rights.
I could have regrinded the bevel, and I did on the coupon for the TIG test. The bevel angle was so steep that the tacks didn't even go in. Although, most people taking this test would assume that this is the bevel angle that they want you to use on the test, and the job. Its hard to believe that an inspector would be so stupid as to machine a bevel on a coupon at the wrong angle if they didn't expect you to use this on the job. Incorrect bevel angle can cause non-fusion, and this pipe had very little bevel angle. I could have used scotch brite or sand paper to clean the rods, but that would also remove the silicone, which is a deoxidizer, which is there for a reason. I eventually brought in my personal (clean) rods I had left over in my box, from a previous job to finish the test.
I'd stay away from this company:
http://www.furnaceandtube.com/Its amazing how their website look so professional, yet it hides the fact that its a little crap operation!
hack,
Next time go ahead and clean the rod. That which is on the surface is not being used as a deoxidizer.
By OBEWAN 
Date 09-30-2014 18:39
Edited 10-01-2014 16:27
1.) Are you sure it was tube, or were you attempting a pipe test?
2.) Some tube welds do not require bevels.
3.) Did the job posting say bring your own tools?
These are wise questions to ask in an interview or a pre interview phone call.
It might help to plan ahead as much as possible - like carry a file or some sandpaper.
But, I do understand that sometimes unfair situations do occur.
Often, most situations are negotiable.
Lot of good points for test taking coming out here. Lots of experienced people who have been in the same boat.
Bottom line: While the code should be within parameters of the applicable code being worked to, it can take many shapes to see what the test taker can do.
No one society oversees tests. Actually, no society oversees tests. It is up to the contractor and/or customer.
It would do no good to report this company because there aren't enough facts and probably no grounds.
It does pay to put all the included suggestions together and be prepared for the worst to show them your best, unless you really don't want to work. At least for them.
He Is In Control, Have a Great Day, Brent
"He may just be the janitor but they asked him to oversee the welding test."
LMAO!!!
The only one that I know of that actually requires an inspector or other to be there while doing your test is API. Every year I do mine and I have to either have an inspector or a member of the gas department witness the test. I have done the last two at a local gas department I do work for. Their shop is covered, cool, quiet. The supervisor watches the test, fills out the letter on letterhead and sends it to the lab. A more relaxed environment instead of the inspector standing over my shoulder, talking about fishing, hunting or the "ball" game last night.
I would have just walked out after seeing this, I've been in places like this before some I walked out after seeing where I would work some I took the test passed it still didn't take the job but in this case i wouldn't have wasted my time there.
?
Did they issue coupons or tubes?
Was there an applicable code or standard?
Not making trouble, but it helps to know details like these.
If there was one thing I managed during my absence from this forum a few months back it was a legitimate time of self evaluation. While I am overwhelmed by the support of such reputable people as Henry, Lawrence, and JS I have hopefully come to a place where much of these types of responses rolls off like water off a duck's back.
I don't blame the OP entirely, but I did think that I had explained with my own post that I was not saying what he just accused me of. But, I am sorry if you got the impression that I had said that. Please, re-read my post carefully. Oh, thank you for the apology, accepted, no problem.
Yes, SJ, communications are difficult between humans under the best of circumstances and over the internet allows for even more misunderstandings. A FACT that has been discussed on this forum many times and there is no way of correcting it 100%. There will always be room for: What I said, what I meant by what I said, what I thought I said; What you heard, what you thought you heard, what you thought I meant by what you heard, etc. Our own preconceived ideas, cultures, language skills, etc will cause us to misinterpret words that others put on paper.
Now, those pics on my website represent a very small portion of the direction work took our little shop that we have owned for the past 18 years in a small rural community of AZ. My background in heavy equipment maintenance, years as a field erection Boilermaker, Pipe Manufacturing plant fabricator up to 12' diameter pipe, structural fabricator and erector, and manufacturer of equipment used in sawmills, and tedious more items, has given me a wide background before I became an inspector with ICC, ASNT, AWS, and City of LA certifications. Not to mention being a certified welder since 1978, eight years after I started welding, to ASME, API, and AWS codes in GTAW, SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and SAW.
The pics and website were specifically designed to promote our little shop while allowing me the freedom to keep doing larger projects in AZ and around the country. We have worked in OR, WA, CA, NV, AZ, TX, CO, MO, IN, AR, MS, LA, IA, and other states.
But, who am I? Compared to some of the giants on this forum? Absolutely nobody. So, bash away. You may think of me whatever you will. Unless we have an opportunity to meet face to face and spend some time talking and even working together, you don't know what I may be able to do, have done, or am trained to do.
He Is In Control, Have a Great Day, Brent
