How to Pass a Pipe Weld Test
Welding is an intricate skill. It demands that you pay attention to detail. This is not only for safety reasons, but also because of the demands of the customers you are to serve. If you work for a company that makes pipes for households, for example, your welds must meet your employer's specifications. If you are not detail-oriented and steady enough with your hands, or lack the proper skill and knowledge, you could soon lose your job because your incompetence could cost the company customers and money. That is why you must pass a test, and in some cases, acquire certification.
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Instructions
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Research welding schools in your area. Go to the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, or the Council of Occupational Education websites, to check the schools' accreditation status. According to the Welding Schools website, the federal Education Department recognizes these agencies as welding school accreditors.
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Enroll in a school or apprenticeship program that teaches pipe welding. Take notes on all lectures and demonstrations.
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Study all the pipe welding test certification positions. Use study guides with pictures, such as can be found on the Go Welding website. Become conversant with all safety rules and procedures.
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Practice at home using old piping. Test yourself daily to see if you can weld pipes together in all the configurations set forth in your study guide.
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Ask questions. Seek help from your mentor, if in an apprenticeship program, or your instructor, if in a classroom.
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Arrive at the testing center, or job site with all tools and the safety goggles you will need for the test. Bring pencils and paper just in case there is a written exam.
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Tips & Warnings
Become familiar with the numeric/alphabetical code for pipe welding. As the Integrated Publishing website points out, for pipe welding, most welds are of the groove variety. So the letter at the end of the name of a specific weld is a G. For example, the examination proctor may ask you to perform a 2G weld.
If you are serious about becoming a welder, count the cost. As the Go Welding website points out, the classes can run as high as $175. Test plates can cost $20, and the pipe coupons can go as high as $30. These prices can escalate, depending on the metal type you need for your class, as well as the school you want to attend.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit welding image by Kaarel from Fotolia.com
