quick question concerning 5g TIG aluminum pipe test

[Casca]

i need to take a 5g TIG test on 1 5/8 x 1/4 aluminum pipe. the person giving the weld tests to our company says that i must perform the test without stopping. Has anyone ever had to take this test do it without stopping? Every example i find on the internet stops to re position the torch at least once.
Any tips on passing this thing? any advice would be greatly appreciated. He said i could use any kind of rest for my hands. i have had the best results so far starting at bottom and going up and around but transitioning the torch for the last quarter of the weld is where i am having the difficulty.
i attached a copy of what he sent over to the shop concerning the test parameters. Thank you in advance for any help.

[shovelon]

i need to take a 5g TIG test on 1 5/8 x 1/4 aluminum pipe. the person giving the weld tests to our company says that i must perform the test without stopping. Has anyone ever had to take this test do it without stopping? Every example i find on the internet stops to re position the torch at least once.
Any tips on passing this thing? any advice would be greatly appreciated. He said i could use any kind of rest for my hands. i have had the best results so far starting at bottom and going up and around but transitioning the torch for the last quarter of the weld is where i am having the difficulty.
i attached a copy of what he sent over to the shop concerning the test parameters. Thank you in advance for any help.

I would review your copy of D1.2 and see if it prohibits stops and starts. And I would ask the tester for a copy of the WPS you are welding under to see if there are any notes prohibiting starts and stops.

Personally I have never heard been prohibited from restarting. D1.2 is simple structural weldments. Nothing special. If they want to prohibit restarts why do they not just have you do plate which qualifies for pipe?

Do you have a copy of D1.2?

[shovelon]

Some tests ask you to restart somewhere even if you don't want to. Prohibiting restarts just hurts them.

[HT2-4956]

Sure sounds to me like there's something hinky here. I just gave a quick review of the D1.2 (2003 edition) and there's nothing in it saying it has to be done that way.

A change in progression from up hill to down hill (or vice versa) is an essential variable that requires an additional separate test. And the way the OP says this inspector is wanting it done would combine both an up and down progression in the same test. So that alone makes it sound to me like it's against the spirit of the code and that this testing inspector may be getting beyond the scope of his authority.

[Casca]

I would review your copy of D1.2 and see if it prohibits stops and starts. And I would ask the tester for a copy of the WPS you are welding under to see if there are any notes prohibiting starts and stops.

Personally I have never heard been prohibited from restarting. D1.2 is simple structural weldments. Nothing special. If they want to prohibit restarts why do they not just have you do plate which qualifies for pipe?

Do you have a copy of D1.2?

Yes, i took the time to read it cover to cover, it says nothing about it. I just wanted to make sure i was not missing anything. we make handrails and ornamental fence. thought it was a bit much for the application. thank you for the quick response

[HT2-4956]

Casca,

I think the best thing you can do at this point is make sure your supervisor is aware of all this and let him question and get it worked out with this inspector.

[TimmyTIG]

He wants you to start at the bottom, weld up one side and then down the other without stopping?

All that to weld handrails?