Any pro welders here?

[Lessen]

Just curious if anybody here is a welder by trade?

For a while now I've been lookin into getting into the trade. Lincoln Electric's HQ is close to me and offers various courses which I'm strongly considering taking. Basically, I'm lookin for a change in occupation. I've had a small amount of exposure to MIG and stick welding back when I was in school and really enjoyed it. I would like to hear first hand about the business, job market, average wages, and the like.

 

[ImBroken]

It's a DIRTY job... I've contemplated learning the art of welding aluminum..

Zandor is a welder by trade.. Look how dirty he is..

 

[NCNitro]

Yep, Zandor is a welder by trade. I am still waiting for him to finish the trailer for my Miss Bud, and send me my poop! LOL.

 

[Lessen]

wonderful, I hope he chimes in.

 

[ZANDOR]

Welding sucks ass!LOL
Welding can be a lot of fun..If you are doing it for your self...

I would say you should take a course..To try it out.
Welding is NOT for every one...
Its hot and dirty..And being a true welder you need to first master the art of fabrcation...Being able to make a plan in your head or on paper..then takeing that to the saw then to the welding bench...

I just recentley got a promotion....to shop forman.."No welding for me"

Will I miss it yes..But i am planing on buying a new welder for my house....A new miller 251..Is in the works...

 

[4u2nv]

I weld alot but not for a trade. My dads a machinest/welder for Excel Energy so we have all the goodies at home. Its a good thing to know how to do. Its a true skill.

 

[digger]

I don't weld for a living. Just sometimes I need to. Stick and mig is it. We have a tig at work, use it everyday. Automatic though. Would like to learn to use one that wasn't.
I get by pretty good as long as its flat.

Zandor, that is a pretty serious welder. Are you thinking of going into business for yourself?
What would you recommend for someone farting around. Some of the guys have those 110v migs from Sears or Lowes. I used one or 2. Not impressed. Least not with what I used. I always wanted one of these. http://www.weldingmart.com/Qstore/p000014.htm I can make it with a stick. Maybe I'm old school but it seems if I'm plugging into 110 it isn't enough?

 

[Lessen]

Z- what's the demand like for someone who is certified in the basics? Is the job market tough for someone with no experience? I know the market is different by region but I'm just lookin for a roundabout idea

 

[Ryhton]

Lessen, I see you are not getting a lot of info on demand and wages so I will tell you what I know. I run a maintenance and R&D department at a Flax Oil plant and I have one welder fabricator in my department and another one to start in a week and half. We do a lot of our own in house fabrication and R&D. The people we bring in need strong welding skills and the support skills such as layout and machining skills. We do some in house training for our people to get them up to our speed being that a lot of our equipment is specialized. The pay scales range from $14.00 to $20.00 + depending on skill levels and work habits. I talked with my main fabricator who has been a welder and machinist for 25 + years and his statement was it is dirty work but rewarding (for him anyways), but a lot of it is very repetitive depending on if you are working in a fab shop were they build a lot of the same thing, if you are mobile welding you get to deal with a verity of different types of jobs. I am not overly sure on job availability but there is always work for good welders and fab people in this area, but it is a competitive field. Hope this helps you out somewhat.

 

[robmob]

I don't weld but have been in the Sturctural and Misc. Metals business for 20 years as a Detailer/Project Manager/Estimator.

Whenever I need something welded or made, I just walk out to the shop so they can get er done.

 

[Lessen]

Thanks Rhyton, that's good information for me. :thumbup:

 

[jammin]

Have you considered pipeline welding, alot of technical colleges offer welding classes and being part of the gas industry i know that pipeline welders depending on if they have their own rig or even if they dont make a hell of a living depending on where you live or if you are willing to travel.

 

[SumoDethRat]

Do you have ROP where you are. Because here they'll teach you to weld and help you get LA county certified in the metal fabrication course. Best part is it's only $20.