Practice Kits

Practice Kits

Includes two full sets of practice coupons, beveled to 22.5° per side (45° groove) with a 1/4" × 2" backing strip, plus an extra backing strip at no charge. Plates are beveled on both sides for reuse or cutting into additional practice coupons. Practice only—2" wide plates reduce cost and shipping but are not valid for certification testing.

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All Products Complete Test Kits (4) Individual Weld Coupons (2) Practice Kits (3)

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Understanding Your Weld Qualification Options

Before ordering a qualification kit, you will make four key selections.

1

Determine the Type of Qualification

Your qualification is based on:

  • Base metal thickness
  • Welding process
  • Welding position

Together, these define what you are legally qualified to weld under AWS D1.1.

2

Choose Your Test Thickness

Limited Thickness Test – 3/8″ Plate

A 3/8″ groove weld test is considered a limited thickness qualification.

If you pass a 3/8″ test, you are qualified to weld:

  • Minimum thickness: 3/16″
  • Maximum thickness: 3/4″ (2 × test thickness)

Best for: Most shop and field structural work under 3/4″ thick.

Unlimited Thickness Test – 1″ Plate

A 1″ groove weld test qualifies as an unlimited thickness qualification.

If you pass a 1″ test, you are qualified to weld:

  • All thicknesses 3/16″ and greater
  • No upper thickness limit

Best for: Heavy structural, critical welds, and maximum employability.

3

Choose Your Welding Process

We support the following AWS-recognized processes:

SMAW – Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Stick)

Commonly called stick welding.

  • • Uses a flux-coated electrode
  • • Extremely versatile and portable
  • • Widely used in structural steel and field work

Why choose it: Universally accepted, durable, and still heavily used.

GMAW – Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG)

Commonly called MIG welding.

  • • Uses solid wire with external shielding gas
  • • Clean, controlled arc with minimal slag
  • • Common in fabrication shops and production environments

Why choose it: Efficient, precise, and widely used in shop settings.

FCAW-G – Flux Cored Arc Welding (Gas-Shielded / Dual Shield)

Often called dual shield.

  • • Flux-cored wire with external shielding gas
  • • Very high strength and deposition
  • • Widely used in fabrication shops and heavy industry

Why choose it: High productivity and excellent mechanical properties.

4

Choose Your Welding Position

Plate qualifications are position-specific.

1G
Flat Position

Weld performed from the top side of a flat plate. Easiest position, lowest qualification coverage.

2G
Horizontal Position

Plate is vertical; weld is horizontal. More challenging than flat, common in structural work.

3G
Vertical Position

Weld performed vertically. Qualifies you for 1G and 2G automatically. Major step up in skill.

✓ Covers: 1G, 2G, 3G

4G
Overhead Position

Weld from underneath. Most difficult. Does NOT qualify for 2G or 3G.

✓ Covers: 1G, 4G only

Why Some Welders Take a Two-Position Test

Because 3G and 4G do not overlap, welders who need full plate coverage must pass both: 3G (flat, horizontal, vertical) + 4G (overhead). Together, these two tests qualify you for all plate positions.

Putting It All Together

Your final qualification depends on:

  • Thickness tested (limited or unlimited)
  • Process used
  • Position(s) tested

That is why selecting the right combination up front matters—and why this guide exists.

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