Coded welding

[Triumphman]

I'm quite involved with steam engines, full size and miniatures, many with steel boilers.

In this field we often refer to having to have boilers welded/repaired by a coded welder to meet the regs.

I've often thought of becoming coded myself to be able to complete repairs and new builds myself, either for pleasure or business.

What would becoming coded entail?

I'm a machinist by trade but do have nvq 2 in mig, mma and tig.
Obviously I understand that my level of skill and competence would have to improve greatly.

So what does it mean to become coded?
How do you get coded?
What does it cost?

 

[Burf86]

Hi Triumphman
A code is a welding test, and you get different kinds at different levels. So as an exaple you could do t-fillet test peice (tig,mig,mma), or a butt etc. Then there are different levels of inspection undertaken on the test peice. Each peice and the level of inspection is a seperate code. If you recieve a code you are qualified for that specific weld procedure only. Note - some employers require a code as proof of your level of competance, rather than the job requiring it.
To get coded you can apply to one of the test centres for your pieces to be tested.
The cost is in the region of £300 per piece, plus or minus a few depending on the test.

Disclaimer - This may not be accurate

 

[wheresmejumper]

If you get coded in 6g pipe of a certain thickness, it qualifies you in every position of pipe and plate, up to twice the thickness of only the material you tested in . e.g carbon steel

 

[papam]

If you get coded in 6g pipe of a certain thickness, it qualifies you in every position of pipe and plate, up to twice the thickness of only the material you tested in . e.g carbon steel

Hey jumper do you know of anywhere in munster or ireland that you can spend a few days practice and then do a 6g test in tig

 

[wheresmejumper]

In CIT in cork you can do it I think.
or if you ring FAS in cork, or any of the centers where they do welding courses, laois, tralee,waterford, ask if they could fit you for a few days.
you might have to ask nicely,

 

[Bede]

If you're of NVQ level 2 in MIG and a machinist by trade I'd forget 6G and look more at 2G / F, so long as you can manouvre the boiler into a position to achieve these welds. You'll need plenty of training to weld in various different positions to achieve 6G. Don't waste your money on doing a test you're unlikely to pass.

BSEN 287 will soon become obsolete so train in ASME IX or the new BS EN 9606.

My local weld test centre charge around £300 for the actual test but it sounds like you'd also need a Weld Procedure Specification document, which covers what you can weld in line with your test. You're talking the best part of a grand all in for the WPS documentation and the weld test itself. (I was recently quoted £950 for BS EN 9606 / 287 test in 2G, covering upto about 60mm plate, plus weld test. Not got round to doing it yet, mind)

 

[Rig Pig]

Many moons ago as an apprentice I machined a load of pipe stubs up for the apprentice welders, I had a go at it too & I can agree with Bede - 6G is hard work & my attempt quickly went back in the lathe via the power hacksaw!

 

[Rrunnach]

I have a 6G test on Friday, tig all the way, mig all the way. Bones aching in advance!!

 

[Bill Edwards]

6g. Is it really that hard? What diameter is normally used, and just what standard is required?

I know X rays or whatever they use for testing isn't likely to be available, but does anybody have any photos of welds they have done for the 6g test, in either a pass or fail?
Are there rules on what height the workpiece is set at, how many runs are used, are there limits to how many stop/starts and grinds are permitted?

I've been toying with having a play at it just to see how hard it is to see how far off I am. How many on here have done it, and with what results?

 

[wheresmejumper]

I posted it before but theres some good info here
http://www.gowelding.org/Pipe_Welding_6G_SMAW_Certification.html

 

[Bill Edwards]

Thanks, that's a good read.

 

[Rrunnach]

Did, and passed 6G test, I now realise, this welding lark is for our younger generation, which is why I did the test, of course!

Chalk board welder from now on.

 

[ronan]

I don't know how it is in the uk , but here the certs only last a certain time , 2 or 4 years and you have to do it again. I did the arc 6g in the heavy wall pipe, we had to use the super citos or citos for the test, taking one out of the oven at a time, its a difficult test, but i suppose anything worth doing is difficult.