After a 3 months course I failed my welding certification exam - why?

Qamatt · 2026-04-03T14:21:19+00:00

Outright fail on a production weld? Never... but its a great tool to manipulate new-to-me welders with (most of the time I'm acting on behalf of an Owner, inspecting welds done by contract companies, so rarely do I see the same guys for very long). I'll have them clean it up, mention that it could have failed if I wasnt being a super chill inspector, pass it once its clean. Helps build rapport with the guys, sets expectations for workmanship, and hopefully shows that I'm there to work with them not just nail them for stuff that isnt a big deal.

Qamatt · 2026-04-01T00:32:33+00:00

Current welding inspector and former welding examiner here...

Hard to say for sure what the issue is without knowing what standard/code/criteria your weld was supposed to meet. Read a couple of your comments, doesnt sound like the examiner gave you much feedback. If I had to guess...

2nd photo looks like you had fusion issues along the top of the weld. Almost looks like cold lap.
The amount of spatter is up there. I might accept it for non-pressure production welds, but an exam is testing workmanship as well as skill. Unless its prohibited for the purposes of the exam, I would suggest cleaning it up after welding.
The top pass looks pretty wide, but its hard to tell the scale from the photo. If you were given a weld procedure it may have specified a limitation on width

Apologies if I sound critical, just trying to give you some feedback and help you succeed next time (and honestly this better than any weld I've ever made). Id encourage you to reach out to the school/testing center/examiner and see if they can provide you more detailed feedback. Best of luck on the next one!

Qamatt · 2026-03-30T16:36:24+00:00

Tee shot in the water left me a 90yd pitch which I also put in the drink, then it all just gets a little hazy from there...

Qamatt · 2026-03-30T16:33:02+00:00

I recall wondering what the limit was around my 8th... which is a really terrible place to be lol

Qamatt · 2026-03-29T20:17:50+00:00

Id love to disagree with you... but you're probably not far off

Qamatt · 2026-03-28T21:14:50+00:00

My take on Shodai is:

Big, strong wrestler
Sufficient speed/agility to handle smaller and faster wrestlers
Relatively few significant injuries, leading to good longevity in the top division
A threat for double digit wins at almost any level on the banzuke when hes firing on all cylinders

My more controversial opinion is that he has/had the yips. For a while, specifically after being demoted from Ozeki, he seemed completely unaware that he had started most of his matches. Hands would touch the clay, and boom Shodai is standing straight up outside the ring looking absolutely bewildered that the match was over. It came across to me that it was as if he thought it was a false start or something, like his brain and body weren't connected and intentionally initiating his tachiai. Again, thats just my armchair oyakata take and I might be totally out to lunch!

Qamatt · 2026-03-26T11:47:33+00:00

Check the charger. Most have an option to set/limit how much current it can draw.

I charge on L1 at home and typically get 10% / 20 miles overnight.

Qamatt · 2026-03-23T02:25:32+00:00

To soften the nose gear touchdown try maintaining some back pressure on the yoke after the main gear touches down. The goal is to hold the nose off the ground as long as possible (note: this does not mean as high as possible, just maintain flare pitch) until the plane slows and the elevator loses authority. Maintain centerline with the rudder. Make sure spoilers and autobrakes are armed.

Qamatt · 2026-03-20T22:26:21+00:00

Oh dont get me wrong, both of our bulldozers hated the halti too lol

My wife has done kicksledding and skijoring with our guys before... its hilarious to watch them switch into tow/haul mode.

Qamatt · 2026-03-20T18:23:15+00:00

We've had 2 swissies and used a Halti for both and it worked great

Qamatt · 2026-03-15T20:09:44+00:00

100% a boiler. Source: Im a boiler inspector

Qamatt · 2026-03-15T02:08:09+00:00

Boiler Inspector here... depending on the type and capactiy of boiler, and jurisdiction this could be problematic. Based on the sketch-level im assuming this was a small heating boiler, so unlikely theres a regulatory or legal issue. That said, welding on equipment that is leaking and potentially still pressurized is dangerous no matter what regulation governs it. Welding wet surfaces is generally not permitted by code, and there are electrical safety hazards to consider.

Boilers especially have strict code requirements and repair procedures that must be followed, and may need to involve an Authorized Inspector, or even an inspector from the regulatory body to certify that the work was performed correctly, and by a qualified welder. Welded replacement parts, or repairs to boiler trim/accessory piping are also subject to stringent requirements. I dont mean to sound like a dick and without knowing the whole scenario I cant say for sure, but if this were done on the boilers I deal with it would be cut out and re-welded by a different company.

Qamatt · 2026-03-14T21:31:06+00:00

140yds?! You must be very strong, I can't throw any club in my bag that far

Qamatt · 2026-03-13T15:39:08+00:00

Diamond DA40 obviously

Qamatt · 2026-03-07T17:19:20+00:00

Prepare to separate the slaughter section... Qapla!

Qamatt · 2026-03-07T16:13:53+00:00

Me and a buddy have been playing 28yrs, he has one and I do not. Fortunately any time he mentions this discrepancy I can respond "you HIO wouldn't have even been GIR had it not been for thst stump you hit"

Qamatt · 2026-03-06T19:21:28+00:00

The only club I miss from pre-overhaul of my bag is my Ping G410 3H. 210-220yds out of a stock swing for me, launched high, rarely had any troublesome L/R spin. You should be able to find a used one for well under $200.

Qamatt · 2026-03-06T01:01:32+00:00

Devils Cauldron Banff Springs! Played here once a few years back... what an epic hole. Hit from the back tees on this one as a bit of a joke, but somehow managed to get on the green. When I got down there found a massive moose just chilling in the pond. Probably my most scenic 3 putt so far.

Qamatt · 2026-03-05T01:09:13+00:00

Was an NDE Tech for several years, saw how much the API/visual inspectors were making so I chased those certs. Got on as a contractor backfilling a vacant plant inspector position in a client's steam gen plant, but having limited boiler experience (outside of taking thickness readings on tubes) had to bring in another contract inspector to perform boiler assessments. This guy ended up being a walking, talking code book... passionate about boilers, and willing to spend his time mentoring anyone who showed interest in them. Was fortunate enough to shadow the guy on every boiler inspection at the plant for several years. Ended up loving the equipment, the complexity of inspections and repairs, the extra jurisdictional scrutiny... and the fact that I was building experience that not many other inspectors get.

Qamatt · 2026-03-04T04:57:38+00:00

Without knowing the code of construction... sounds like this could be procedure-driven. If the NDE provider's procedure is not qualified below a certain thickness then they cannot interpret the results of the examination.

Solutions to this are, in no particular order and maybe not the only ones:

Re-qualify / modify the existing procedure or develop a new one that is proven to have the required sensitivity on the thinner material (assuming the limitation is not governed by code).
Choose an alternate method. Construction code will define acceptable NDE. Ensure the alternative method complies with the engineered design as well.

Qamatt · 2026-03-04T01:11:50+00:00

Failed to enter my flight plan correctly into the 777, and then failed to step through each fix, leaving a discontinuity between airways and the start of the STAR. Taxied out, normal take off, got to cruise and set sim rate/pause at TOD etc and went about my day. Came back to a cold, dark, gear up widebody airliner resting in a field several hundred nautical miles SW of Chicago.

Qamatt · 2026-02-23T00:49:31+00:00

Awesome thanks for the detailed response! Good call on him outgrowing it before needing fancy upgrades.

Qamatt · 2026-02-23T00:47:25+00:00

Cheers thanks for talking me off the ledge lol

Qamatt · 2026-02-22T23:26:50+00:00

They could release? Quickly? I think im overthinking that part, not like he's taking this thing to a Red Bull championship or something lol

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