Edubll, Our pipe welders take a 1/2" plate test (7018 all the way W/backing, 2G,3G,4G), 1/2" plate (309 all the way W/backing, 2G,3G,4G), 6" sch. 40 (6010/7018 6G), 2" sch. 80 (TIG 70S2 all the way 6G), and 2" sch. 80 (309 Flux coated TIG root/309L TIG the rest 6G). Our top welders do these plus FCAW (1/2" plate 2G,3G,4G), spray GMAW (3/8" plate 2G,3G,4G), 2" sch. 80 (Hastelloy TIG 6G), 6" sch. 40 (TIG root/hot, FCAW out), and a 1/4" plate (Spray GMAW Aluminum). Sounds like alot but we don't expect anybody to know them all off the street. We have welding classes 3 times a week and class room classes too for pipe fitting, welding and other trades. Our cost of living is reletively low, our top welders make around 20.00 an hour. If I were you, no matter where you go, I would focus on GTAW pipe (work on a good root and walking the cup) and SMAW pipe. Once you can weld pipe, everything else is gravy. Where is Ashville BTW? Hope this helps, Henry
i appreciate the info henry, does sound like a lot, but i guess thats what youll pay us for so i better get to practicing. i need to practice walking the cup, i got certified free handing, but i can do it on roots and fillers, covers tough for me to walk though. Also been doing a lot of short circuit gmaw but done a little fcaw. We got some new machines and i've been practicing pulse, salesman says new wave of pipe welding but he could have been makin a sale. By the way ashevilles in western north carolina, really only outfit here is mb haynes so i will definitely be traveling. Thanks for all the info, gives me a better idea. Evins
To practice walking the cup, start with no filler. work on getting a good pattern that is comfortable. It's all in the wrist. Here is a good video. I put more of the motion in my wrist than in this video, that keeps your elbow from swinging back and forth and running into stuff. There's more control in your wrist too. Also, on 2" pipe tests, I don't walk th cup. I brace my middle and ring finger on the pipe and alternate when one gots hot.Henry
I really enjoyed your video!! If you have more please post as well.
Thank You!
I think I found that on this forum actually. I've been thinking of making one for training our guys so if I do I'll definately post it. Henry