There are numerous types of welding techniques used today and one of the more complicated and challenging ones is 6G pipe welding. This welding technique typically involves joining cylindrical metal tubes using a shielded metal arc welding technique or a gas shielded arc welder. There are several challenging methods to learn to become a professional welder and 6G welding is regarded as the complex and hard to learn (keep in mind: you can learn more by visiting this article about starting a welding career).
To become a professional and proficient welder, you need to have the capability to tackle different tasks and anticipate to become acquainted with a variety of materials in different thicknesses. There are numerous challenges associated with 6G pipe welding using the main ones regarding the positions you ought to be in to get the work done and the skills you need to master the welding techniques needed so that you can attain the greatest results. Fortunately, individuals who do well at 6G welding generally earn greater than welders who happen to be proficient at simpler welding techniques. And that’s because the 6G welding method is quite difficult to understand.
What’s 6G Welding?
The “G” in 6G refers back to the weld type, that is a groove weld even though the “6” refers to the position of the welded pipes. Groove welds are joints that join two metal tubes where the space between the two is filled with welding material.
A standard welding process that’s used when welding pipes is open root welding. Using this type of technique, the welding joint doesn’t employ a tacked backing plate. This procedure can be quite a bit challenging to master ever since the weld has been made across a gap. To prevent making mistakes and messing within the job, welders must employ the right welding techniques.
One important thing that complicates pipe welding is the fact that moving around the pipe to access the space will most likely suggest that you block your view using one of your hands sooner or later. In addition to that, it’s a welding technique that will expect you to use both of your hands to complete the task. As such, it’s important to make time to find out which of your respective sides will be the good side and which is the bad one when it comes to pipe welding – and that’s correlated to whether you’re left-handed or right-handed.
Focusing on the left-hand side of your tube will probably be challenging for right-handed people, and vice-versa. Identifying this obstacle early will help you to learn methods to overcome it to ensure that you don’t mess up your welds.
Working with Pipe Welding Positions
Becoming skilled at making use of the right positions will ensure that you always receive the best results when pipe welding. The machine of letters and numbers you can see on pipes is a kind of code that indicates the sort of joint and position you must use.
There are actually four welding positions and they are 1G, 2G, 5G, and 6G.
The 1G position is actually a flat welding position that’s not used fairly often. Though it’s still imperative that you learn it as a welder. 1G welding is largely flat-welding ever since the tube is lying on the curved edge (on its side) and might be rotated during welding.
The 2G position, however, is fixed – the pipe being welded can’t be turned. However, as it is positioned on its base, welding the pipe becomes simpler as it is stabler and sturdier.
The same as the 1G position, 5G position means the pipe is horizontal but can’t be moved as it’s fixed set up. In cases like this, you’ll need to weld the pope in several positions, including overhead. Other positions used in combination with this position include vertical down and vertical up.
Probably the most challenging welding position will be the 6G welding position. That’s because the pipe being welded are at a 45-degree angle. 6G welding will expect you to pay very close attention to both your bad and good side since welding without blocking your view using one of your hands is virtually impossible.
If you see the letter “R” in welding codes, because of this the welding position is actually a restricted one – and that’s either visually or physically.
The 6G Welding Position
One important thing that complicate 6G welding is always that ever since the welds are vertical, molten filling metal will flow downward in the joint cavity during welding. To prevent this, you need to practice a whole lot. Also, considering both pipes are horizontal to one another with one tube positioned in a 45O angle towards the other, discovering the right position as a welder can be hard. Using this type of welding technique, you will discover yourself being forced to use different body positions and other skills to perform your goal.
6G Welds: Exactly what are They User For?
Groove welds are employed on all kinds of joints except lap joints (i.e., joints made out of overlapping tubes.) While it’s rare for certified welders to encounter pipes that need a 6G weld throughout their career, the welding position is frequently used as a pre-employment test.
The 6G Welding Test
Also referred to as the Arkansas Bellhole Tests, the 6G welding test is utilized to weigh the relevant skills of the welder. The exam is quite stringent ever since the welder has to use various welding techniques (horizontal, vertical, and flat welding) to achieve a 6G weld. These welds are often made by welders in trades for example steel working, which require skilled welding abilities. Once a welder could make good 6G welds, they can be tested onto it and obtain certified once they pass the exam.
6G Welding Certification
Those looking to become certified pipe welders need to move through a, somewhat, demanding process as they have to prove that they are not just good with welding machines but they can also produce quality penetration and can be employed in restricted spaces with restricted views. In addition to that, a prospective welder will have to pass a test regarding their all-position welding technique.
You can find out more pertaining to the 6G welding certification in this article: https://sw.edu/smaw-6g-pipe-stick-welding-test/
To obtain a 6G certification, you need to attend an effective welding school, which may be costly and time-consuming. However, in the long run, you’ll have gained extra skills that boost your career as a welder.
6G pipe welding is amongst the toughest weld certifications tests a welder can pass since the pipe is immovable as well as at a 45-degree angle. To be 6G certified, you must prove that you could weld pipes in every positions – overhead, horizontal, and vertical – so you are proficient at welding with both of your hands.
Certification Sources
In The United States, 6G certification is provided through the American Welding Society jointly with a myriad of other organizations that offer certification tests. The American Welding Society lists over 80 accredited weld testing institutions where applicants will take 6G certification tests. The Society’s certification application contains a weld testing section that has got to be performed by among its Accredited Testing Facilities.
Some 6G pipe welder certification providers in America also offer training to help you welders pass their certification test. As an illustration, AVTEC offers certification after a welder has completed its 75 days of training and 450 hours welding degree program. Industrial Training Solutions, however, sponsors a 6G welder certification that requires 120-hours of hands-on welding instructions when preparing for your welding certification exam.
Costs and Requirements
Each welder’s certification program requires its applicants to fulfill specific requirements. As an illustration, some facilities, like Industrial Training Solutions, requires their applicants to obtain some years of welding experience (2 years in this instance) before they are able to enter into the program. Others requires that you hold, at the minimum, a 3G welding certification.
It’s worth noting that the cost of acquiring 6G pipe welding certification varies according to the institution offering the certification. The AWS charges about $35 for every certification, while the cost of testing is catered for by applicants. Most programs cost around $4,000 to $5,000 – and this includes testing and training.
Just How Much Do 6G Welders Make?
The typical hourly rate for 6G welders in the US is $24.91/hour though this could reach as much as $40/hour or as low as $17/hour, for the way experienced and skilled a welder is and the state they reside. An experienced 6G welder can earn just as much as $98k/year (including commissions, bonuses, and profit-sharing) when they are great at their work and work with a huge company.
Conclusion
Mastering the skill of pipe welding will take your employment to great heights. However, it means learning many of the most complicated and challenging welding skills and techniques from the welding industry. However, if you devote the effort and pass the certifications, you will possess gained a highly-prized skillset that is certainly popular by some of the top employers from the metalworks industry. While 6G welding doesn’t require any special or extra equipment, it’s a welding method that is not really for your half-hearted. If you are looking at learning to be a professional and reputable 6G welder, find a very good welding school, make the effort, and acquire a 6G welding certification. Though it will most likely be the most significant challenge you may have ever faced, learning how to professionally 6G pipe weld will increase the chances of you learning to be a much sought-after professional welder.