Well I goated up my first weld test. Guy called me to weld braces on cell tower base. He said I needed aws cert., okay I'll get it and see you next week. I call and closest test was 5 hours and money I didnt have. I borrowed money from my parents drove down that morning thinking I just make weld and drive back. Guy asks what company I with, I say me and I have done this before what do you want? He says make a good weld and hurry up I shutting this place in few hours.
Nervous, hot, rain dripping in this tiny stall, inspection light burning down my neck, and broke. Welded vert first and weaved a tight neat cap to save time. Tacked overhead and when they came in to inspect my bead... Inspector says: never ever never weave a cap in my shop. I'm terrified he gonna fail me on it. I told him sorry ill put stringers in but I was just trying to speed it up . He says if the weld passes he will allow it but no more weave.
Okay now I'm relived and very nervous. Shirt is sticking to me, I take a deep breath, put in a new rod, settle my feet, raise my arm to get slack in sleeve and lead- 14" 7018 extending from the stinger from my outstretched arm goes right between two fluorescent light bulbs to the metal fixture screwed to the grounded metal booth. Whhoomm was the sound, lights flickered, rod burns through fixture and sticks, I snatched it out, flung out that rod, and welded that coupon out faster than you could say I gotta get the heck outta here. The whole booth shook as I worked. I did pass both test, and instructor asked if I heard any commotion back there while I tested. So if your ever testing in the south I gotta a ugly weld in light fixture somewhere.??
