Hillbillysmith Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 On Friday, I took a welding test where I had to weld TIG, MIG, Stick, and lay-out for Oxy/Fuel cutting according to the blueprints to try and qualify in my class to go to a "Skills USA" welding competition. "Skills USA" is where the top 2 qualifiers of each vocational school in the country compete in welding (or whatever their trade is) to see who ranks the top in the nation. I ranked number one in my class. I'm not sure when, but I go with a bunch of other students to a community college (I think LOL) to take a written test about welding and to make welds in the following (I'm almost positive, but not sure) areas: TIG- "Tee" & lap joints in the horizontal position. MIG- "Tee" joint in the horizontal & overhead position. Stick- "Tee" & lap joints in the horizontal & vertical up & overhead positions with both E6010 & E7018 1/8 in rod. And there may be Oxy/Fuel cutting at the competition, but I'm not sure. The up-coming competition that I'm going to be attending is only regionals. If I place high enough there, then I go to the state competition, and then (hopefully) nationals. I'm certainly not one to brag, but I'm just excited to be chosen to go. I was shocked when I found out that I placed first in the class!! :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yesteryearforge Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 CONGRATULATIONS Mike Tanner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Covington Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Congratulations, that's something to be proud of Travis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markb Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 WELL DONE. You're go'n places. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mills Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Good job, and I wish you success at the next level as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jose Gomez Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Congratulations Hillbillysmith!! I was fortunate enough to compete at the Skills USA nationals in Kansas City MO in both 2001 and 2002, and somehow managed to pull off back to back second place finishes. Now I am a welding technology instructor and Skills USA advisor at the local college here in Las cruces NM. Best of luck to you at your regional competition, keep up the good work, and don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or if I can help you with anything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aametalmaster Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Congrats...Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRobb Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Congratulations!! On to Nationals!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Congradulations !! I wish you success at the next level as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fat pete Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Great Job and good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy seale Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 outstanding job, good luck, jimmy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbillysmith Posted February 16, 2008 Author Share Posted February 16, 2008 Yesterday I went and competed at the regional contest, but I didn't place high enough to go on to state. My welds were good, alot better than most of them that were there, but I didn't finish two of my stations. I simply didn't have enough time. I, at first, was under the impression that we had 45 minutes to do each station ( GTAW, OFC, Written Test, SMAW, GMAW) but we only got 31 minutes per. I'm not sure of my final placement, but my instructor will have my results for me on Tuesday when I go back to school. My instructor was at the contest and told me after everything was over that I got first in the OFC and beat everyone by at least 20 points. He also said that he thinks that I placed 5th overall. I had to weld different parts according to a set of blueprints. In my TIG station, I had to make a Stainless Steel part. I didn't finish this station with 2-1/2 welds to go. My OFC (oxy/fuel cutting) was horrible compared to what I can do, but the regulators were junk and didn't work right. I notified them of this, believe me. LOL. But I can't complain too much about that since I got top score in that. The written test was a joke. It was 35 multiple choice test. I had 31 minutes to complete it but it only took me 8 minutes. The stick station was easy easy well, but I didn't have enough time. If we go the 45 minutes like we should have, I probably would have finished. Mig, I got that done in time and that looked pretty decent so I was happy with that. I also think that some of that parts that some of the kids turned in should have been thrown out of the judging because they didn't weld it according to the blueprint which should be an automatic fail. But I'm not the judge. All-in-all, I was just happy to be able to compete. There are surely ALOT of things that I can complain about on how the contest was run and judged, but it doesn't matter. I will just go on welding & getting better and hopefully, one day, I will be fortunate enough to show someone else how to work and perform this great trade the correct way. -Hillbilly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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