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“Where do I get welding training for a 6g welding test?”
“What is a 6g test?”
“Why 6g and not other welding test?”
“What’s the big deal about a 6g test?”
Unfortunately, not every welding training school offers training to help you pass a 6g weld test. Many local technical colleges do not even offer pipe welding as part of their curriculum. So where do you go for training?
Here are a few places in the united states where you can get welding training to prepare you to take a 6g welding test.
- Hobart Institute of Welding Technology
- Lincoln Welding Training School
- Tulsa Welding School ( there are very mixed reviews on this one)
Also another option is training programs within the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing, Pipefitting and Sprinkler Fitting Industry of the United States, Canada, and Australia (this pretty much requires being accepted into an apprenticeship program, but training is good and will be worth the effort for most people).
Also… local tech colleges that do have a pipe welding program.
What about welding training DVDs?
Over the years I have purchased a view DVDs that were about how to pass a 6g test but none of them were all that great.
Hobart has some really good quality videos, but who can afford over 900 bucks for a DVD? It’s not that bad a deal for a school, but for individual welders, it’s hard to spend that much for a DVD.
That’s one of the reasons I made this video.
For every welder about to take a 6g test who is a bundle of nerves from driving all night, not getting good sleep, worried about getting the job, and has had too much coffee trying to overcome lack of sleep… I hope this video helps calm some nerves a bit.
What is a 6g test?
6g is a pipe with the axis on a 45 degree angle. Once the height is selected and fixed, the pipe can’t be rolled while welding, and usually the height can’t be changed, either.
What that means to a welder is that one side will usually be harder than the other. For a pipe test that uses TIG for root and hot pass, sometimes using the left hand comes into play. And even for the Stick fill and cap, one side will seem harder for most people. It doesn’t have to be, but it can throw you a curveball because it feels different, looks funny… that sort of thing.
Why a 6g test and not other positions?
Even though 1g, 2g, and 5g pipe positions make up 99% of what is done in the field, usually a 6g is used for the welding test – because welding codes are geared to that. A 6g test qualifies for 1g, 2g, and 5g, with just one test weld. That’s why it’s used for the certification test.
The argument could be made that 2 test welds – a 2g and a 5g – would better represent the welds actually made on the job, because 6g positions are rare in the field. Rolling offsets are almost the only time a a 6g position is required in the field and they can usually be fabricated on the floor to avoid a 6g weld in position.
What is the big deal about a 6g test?
The big deal is that a 6g test might be the gate keeper that stands between you and a good paying welding job.
I hope this video about welding training tips for a 6g pipe test helps someone get that job.
Good luck, Welder.
– Jody
( As always, feel free to visit us at our sister site, WeldingTipsAndTricks.com. )
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April 14, 2015 at 7:19 PM
WOW ! Thank you. Your video about 6G covered every detail I was having difficulties with, but couldn’ t find an answer for. From arc striking location to rod position. Thanks once again.
March 17, 2015 at 1:33 PM
Another excellent source of TIG
pipe training (and all other types of welding) is Four M Welding School in Tulsa.
August 23, 2014 at 11:10 AM
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April 3, 2014 at 11:18 PM
I’ve watched part 3 over and over for at least 2 hours trying to get your tips and the way you positioned your rod and hand I have your tig fingers sold 4 of the six I ordered and well if you can show a view on the way your welding I can see the way your manipulating your hand and rod in relation to the pipe tomorrow I’m going to try everything I seen today and hopefully get somewhere with the cover passes thanks for all you do if you come out with a video with position of the rod and show all the details like you did on part three I’d buy it in a hart beat if you have something more on 6G I would be greatly interested thank you sir.
April 3, 2014 at 10:33 PM
I’ve seen your 6G videos and I get what your saying but I’m stuck on the position of the rod when going up the sides in relation to getting a good bead I get to much of a roll or bead and it’s killing me can you talk about it and show a diagram of the rod position from bottom to top I’m struggling with it, I’ve got the root and hot pass and working on the fill passes for which the beads are to big any info would be greatly appreciated.
September 10, 2013 at 6:43 PM
Hey Jody love all your videos first off your the man. I was gonna ask if you possibly had or could do any videos on a 2″ sch. 10 stainless TIG all the way out, thanks. Keep it up I love what you do.
August 18, 2013 at 5:03 PM
Thanks for taking the time to put such good videos together. I’ve been in the trade now for 12 years but have never been coded, I am now ready to take my test which comes up in a few weeks, your videos have helped me a great deal whilst practicing in my workshop. keep them coming as they are a never ending wealth of knowledge .
July 25, 2013 at 10:45 PM
As usual,your the Man,Jody!
Thanks,Paisano
July 25, 2013 at 1:36 AM
Nice job again Jody! Your weekly instructions on various welding applications is straight forward and to the point You give good instructions as to why you do this or that. I think that is very important for up and coming and remedial training. I have been in the welding field for 40 years now. I do training consulting certification and testing. I just enjoy your down home approach to instruction. Your never to good or too old to learn new things. I even bough your 6 disk set to use in my training classed when they come around. You of course are getting the due credit for the awesome vids! Thanks again Jody. Keep em coming.
Regards
Jerry Doherty,CWI/CWE
Journeyman Welder
July 24, 2013 at 5:19 PM
I really appreciate your video, very helpful for a noob. I have a Q though. I had no idea you could do a TIG root pass without purging the inside. What’s the secret doing with shielding gas from the back?
July 23, 2013 at 11:42 PM
I enjoy watching your videos and learn from them! I have a Miller Dynasty 200 DX, but don’t use it very much. I know you need to use and practice to be good! I build Street Rod cars, but am retired! I love welding with my Tig, but need more info on the settings on the Miller Dynasty 200DX!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks!!!!!!!!
July 23, 2013 at 10:08 PM
Your videos are so clear and instructive
in 1973 no one had this type of instruction to go by. We just ran beads over and over again until we –we thought we were ready to test and tested
July 23, 2013 at 7:11 PM
Thank you very much for the time and effort you put into these training videos. I am a self taught welder with many years experience and even have a decent paying job and position, but I’ve always known secretly that I could and should know more. Your videos have provided that boost of wisdom. You can read books until your eyes bleed and still not learn half what you can learn by watching a skilled professional do his craft. These new skills will help make my job much easier, especially when everyone is watching. haha God bless you and thanks again.
July 23, 2013 at 3:07 PM
As always your videos are very detailed and informative. For me, the Clarity and the Narration of the videos are what makes them great practical tutorials. Now, after viewing the video, I am going to search for the DVD’s for my library.
Thank You,
RAC
July 23, 2013 at 2:37 PM
are you going to do a video of 6g 5p root and 3/32 fill and cap, quite sure the majority of your viewers are waiting for this video, I know I am, thank you,,,,,gene
July 23, 2013 at 7:57 PM
yours has to be the best video’s I have ever seen, the visual of the rod while welding is clear, your heat settings in the end was very helpful, must do one on 5/p root, that would be greatly helpful, thank you for what you do,,,,,gene