For the tests I am giving, I have a pile of scrap to let them get the machine set on. I tell them to take their time and make sure they are comfortable with how the machine is running, and how they want to set if for passes after the root. I have let them play with the machine for as long as a hour as we are testing off of an old miller 8 pack that the dial tells them they are at 125 amps and I could run 3/16" or 1/4" carbon arc rod gouging with. I set the machine at the lowest setting and tell them they have to adjust the amps by how the machine runs, not what the dial tells them. When they tell me they are comfortable, I give them their plates, and explain what gap they are allowed, max width, how wide they can weave, 3 times the diameter of the rod (we are using 1/8" ER7018H4R) and max reinforcement. I have a a 4 inch grinder, slag hammer, hand brush, and a brush for the grinder. I tell them how I want it tacked, and how long the tacks are allowed to be. I also inform them where the coupons will be cut from. They are told you have a grinder to clean up your starts and stops. I also tell them this is a welding test, not a grinding test. Use it, don't abuse it, and you won't lose it. If I hear too much grinding going on, I will take it away and give them a rusty old file. I also tell them they have 4 hours from the time they tack the plate in postion to complete the welding portion. We are testing on plate and tubes. The thing that is bad, is of the last 20 welders I have tested, I have only been able to keep 7. This is a make or break test. I also tell them if they start having problems, to come and get me so it does not snowball on them. I am here to help you, not break you out.
We are hurting for good welders out of our local at this time. It is hard to tell a person that has driven from Louisiana or Texas or sometimes further, that the plate is cosmetically unaceptable, but that is part of the job. You would not believe some of the excuses given. Still, I have to go by what is acceptable and is not. For a while, I was lienient on visual, but then I had to deal with very poor welding on the job, so I had to get toughskinned.
Just how it is
Mike