welding inspection tools? & CWI exam

[boffintech]

Looking at the AWS inspectors tool kit I see there is a caliper and a 0-1" micrometer.

FYI, I work for a testing lab (don't hold that against me) and do mostly construction inspection work.

I already have most of the tools in the kit but not a good caliper or 0-1" micrometer. I understand that the caliper and micrometer that come in the AWS kit are super-cheap-o. On the other hand, for the rough-and-tumble environment of the job site how high-quality a set do I really need?

And how often will I really need these? I don't think either of the CWIs at my office even carries these. Although they are VERY secretive as a rule: I mean not at all interested in training anyone else, at least not during a recession.

 

[Ron]

BT...a good caliper is handy, but you don't often use a micrometer, particularly for building construction work. I have both Mitutoyo and Starrett calipers. Both are excellent and use a dial indicator. I also have a vernier caliper, but I don't used it anymore.

 

[HgTX]

The one time I used a caliper on the job was where I couldn't tell whether a shiny spot near a plate edge was where they just ground out a defect or made an unauthorized welded repair. Someone actually had a micrometer, and I used it to verify that the "ground" spot was actually thicker than the surrounding area.

That was 10 years ago.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[Mr168]

Rarely use a mic, but have used a caliper on many an occasion. Primary purpose was to verify min wall thickness on counter-bored eccentric pipe.