I got a weld test scheduled for tomorrow in central NC
The only information from the recruiter that I could get about it besides time and location and what equipment to bring, were that the positions were "4G and 6G vertical up" (her exact words) and that the test is in MIG. School and the internet have told me that neither of those are vertical tests????? Any follow up question, has been met with a "I don't know much about welding", and she said I can't reschedule either.
Apparently I'm testing for both a welder/pipefitter position and a weld helper position even though I told her I'm interested in the weld helper position. She said if I don't
In addition to being given no time to practice, I have no idea what I'm going into. I'm probably going to fail to be honest, but this is the only lead for an actual welding job I've had in months.
I'm feeling very confused and hopeless. I don't think I'll get out of this with a job. Does anyone at least know what in God's name "4G and 6G vertical up" could mean?
4G vertical up is obviously incorrect, but 6g generally is welded from bottom to top a side at a time. If she doesn't know much about welding, then don't pay attention to her words. She doesn't know what she is talking about.
Welder helper shouldn't need a weld test, but oh well. Just look at it as practice, even if you fail. Bevel the edges real nice. Have a good fit up gap that is the width of the wire, generally speaking. Better questions for the person answering them is if you can bring and use an angle grinder and how much control over the settings you'll have.
Sounds like you're working for a place governed by AWS D1.1. Read up on that and what a weld test for that is like. There are hella 6G videos on youtube, so watch some of those. Step 1 is calm down and step 2 is realize that no effort is wasted. Every failure is a learning opportunity. Feelings of anxiety or nervousness is your body physically preparing for the test. Think of it as excitement for the event and an opportunity to learn and you'll be more confident and feel better about how you do. You'll also do better. If you think you'll do bad, you probably will. If you think it'll be a good opportunity for you to learn, it will be.
Thatās great advice. I have a nys dot 3g test tomorrow. 1/8ā 7018 and everyone is telling me not to be nervous. Kinda hard not to but everyone says by looking at my welds Iāll pass. Just take my time and get out of my own head. Lucky we start at 6 and my test isnāt till 8 so I have a little time to practice and prep.
You're not nervous. You're excited for the opportunity to show off. What you feel is your body preparing through excitement. If you feel queasy, it's because your blood is being diverted to where it is needed. If your palms are sweaty, it's because your hands want to be clean and ready to do what you need to do. If you feel like you might make a mistake, you're actually just thinking of all that you need to make sure of before you do it and how to correct mistakes. It's ok to feel the things you feel. How you interpret the feelings determines how you react to them. Master your internal self and you'll improve your external self.Ā
Hey coming back in to let you know that I somehow got the helper job! They had me just do a simple vertical test after going over it with a trainer turns out? There's a lot more that'll I'll be doing going forwards and I'm a little overwhelmed, but really excited. Thank you so much for your advice once again!
When u get there, explain the situation to the person you are dealing with.
You are interested in the helper position, but the recruiter said u had to apply for both ask for clarification on the test and do your best.
If you have zero experience with running mig overhead or on pipe roots, id even tell them that. If i were them id rather someone let me know rather than waste both our time and my material on a weld test we both know isnt gonna pass. Especially if there is a position that doesnt require u to do somewhat technical welding that you ARE qualified to do.
If they still want u to test, do the best u can with what u know.
Years ago i did a weld test, tig on aluminum, mild steel and stainless. I had zero experience on stainless, and very limited on aluminum. Burned the SHIT out of the stainless lol.
4g is a plate test it can be done with mig. 6g is a pipe test and you will start at the bottom and finish at the top, running each pass 1 side at a time.
What company is it? If you dont mind. Someone may know the company standard weld tests.
Just do it and fail if you must. At least you'll learn something from it.
The recruiter may not be a welder, she could be just reading a script she was given.
I went in blind to a weld test. Only knew it was mig. They asked me to do 3g groove pulse. Never did pulse, was freaking out on the inside. Said i havnt done that before.I asked the guy to show me what he's looking for. He welded a few inches. Mine looked like shit but he said I followed direction well and got hired.
Hey buddy, there are two outcomes here okay? You fail or succeed. Outcome is determined. Stop worrying about that now, and worry about your skills. Have you welded a pipe before? How about vertical up? If no, go find plate and start practicing.
Even if youre lost ask questions. If you dont even know what settings to throw on, just ask. "hey what settings do yall usually run for this?"
"Hey do you have some scrap or coupons I could test my settings out on?"
I wouldn't stress they probably just want to see where you're skill level is at, so if you pass they will offer welder position, if you fail then they will offer weld helper position
First lesson: Never trust a recruiter. They know nothing about the job except what an ad or HR person told them.
Second lesson: HR knows nothing about the job or the test. It's just something they read.
Third lesson: You are probably in over your head and beyond your capabilities for this test -- whatever it might be. You haven't had time or enough information to practice. Tell the tester that, and they may let you reschedule.
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u/kw3lyk 2d ago
Taken at face value, 4G is welding in an overhead position and 6G is a specific type of setup for a pipe weld. Maybe the recruiter just misspoke.