Finally passed the 6G weld test after 3 tries at the local hall

Been a boilermaker for about 5 years and that 6G pipe test was giving me fits. First two attempts I blew right through the root pass. Third time I slowed way down and cranked the amperage up a bit. Felt good to hear that inspector say 'clean.' Anyone else have a cert that took way longer than it should have?

3 comments

3 Comments

james_clark18d agoMost Upvoted

Yeah that root pass is a real bear, I had to bump the heat way up too.

nelson.finley18d agoTop Commenter

Wait, hold up. You had to bump the heat WAY up? Like crazily hot? I always thought you were supposed to baby that root pass with lower settings so you don't burn through or get that nasty suckback. What kind of material were you running? I tried that once on some 1/4 inch plate and just made a mess, had to grind it all out and start over because I blew a hole right through the backside. I'm kinda surprised you could even keep a puddle going without it just falling out the bottom.

evanfox16d agoMost Upvoted

Wait, isn't blowing through the root pass usually a sign you've got the heat too high, not too low? Seems like cranking it up would just make that problem way worse.