How to test a welder's dexterity??

Date 08-26-2005 13:46

I'm not sure if there is a separate test for dexterity (other than rubbing your belly and patting your head at the same time).

I would think such a test would not be necessary if a person can pass a welder qualification test and consistantly does a good job with welding. You could devise a weld test and practice welding the thicknesses of sheet metal you are welding.

Chet Guilford

By MDG Custom Weld (***)

Date 08-26-2005 20:44

We produce many stainless exhaust components, as you can imagine they are round for the most part. Our qualification test consist of tig welding with filler a 347 SS tube atop a 10 inch 200lb positioner. This means for a right handed welder they must hold the torch with right hand, control heat with the right foot, hold and add filler with the left hand, and last they must control the positioner speed with the left foot. This does not seen too bad right????. It is a challenge even for the best tig welder to complete in the allowed 30 minute time frame. Adding that left foot really throws some people off.

By jwright650 (*****)

Date 08-30-2005 12:30

You can create your own restrictive access tests to see if an applicant for employment is right for your type of work or will need additional training.
ie. The 6GR is a test with a ring around the joint that is intended to get in the way so the welder doesn't have easy access to the joint.
John Wright

By billvanderhoof (****)

Date 08-31-2005 06:08

Juggling?

Seriously- if you do anything other than to ask the applicant to weld something representative of the work you do you leave yourself open to claims that the test isn't representative and in some way discriminates against some group.
Bill