WELDERS : Any advice to starting the trade?

[WOT]

Just looking to get started and a good point of direction in the trade. Im currently doing CNC machining and it just isnt for me plus my job will be gone shortly. I like welding, and dont think the job is going anywhere soon and may have a connection at a local place that my grandfathers friend owns, but I thought some schooling might be good first.

My knowledge is pretty limited, Ive been using my electric fluxcore for a couple years now but that doesnt take much skill, only used a real mig once.

Is there any good courses or minimums I should be looking for? Like would part time night school be good or just a 8 week course, full time learning everything etc....

kinda stumped on what to ask, just looking to get my foot in the door

Thanks for any advice

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[Cabin_Pressure 10+ year member]

Find your nearest Boilermakers local, apply for apprenticeship.

 

[regal8r 5,000+ posts]

your local community college should have welding classes. id go that route first, then try and get an entry level position (pretty much any manufacturing plant, although alot of places are doing layoffs right now...)

 

[gotparts90 10+ year member]

Find your nearest Boilermakers local, apply for apprenticeship.

thats the best way. I am union 597 but not a welder, about half the union is welding and they make the same per card level we do. I have gone to the welding class's at the hall for about a year 2 days a week for 4-6 hours burning rod after rod. I may get my certs soon I never tested but have been out of work awhile and that might help.

Stay clear of those little welding schools that churn people out and teach you mostly MIG. You may just get stuck weling staircases all day or something along those lines for 12 an hour. Fitters here in 597 is about 40 an hour A card with killer bennies.

 

[Cabin_Pressure 10+ year member]

thats the best way. I am union 597 but not a welder, about half the union is welding and they make the same per card level we do. I have gone to the welding class's at the hall for about a year 2 days a week for 4-6 hours burning rod after rod. I may get my certs soon I never tested but have been out of work awhile and that might help.
Stay clear of those little welding schools that churn people out and teach you mostly MIG. You may just get stuck weling staircases all day or something along those lines for 12 an hour. Fitters here in 597 is about 40 an hour A card with killer bennies.

Im 558 IBEW, also have weld certs. Currently have Nuclear Grade stick/mig, working on my tig.

 

[IDSkoT 5,000+ posts]

Im 558 IBEW, also have weld certs. Currently have Nuclear Grade stick/mig, working on my tig.

NUCLEAR WELDING?!

That's intense.

But, I'd like to learn how to weld. Welders are expensive... I might take some courses, though. I'll have to see if they have any classes at my CC.

 

[lilcarus 10+ year member]

off subject kinda....but can you cnc shit on the side or does your job have every machine hour booked to the t...please let me know whats up if you can....thanks

 

[Cabin_Pressure 10+ year member]

NUCLEAR WELDING?!That's intense.

But, I'd like to learn how to weld. Welders are expensive... I might take some courses, though. I'll have to see if they have any classes at my CC.

Sounds like a big deal, not really, just a stricter test. Welding at Nukes has tighter tolerances on finish/size/undercut/penetration etc. Also have to do more weld positions to get the cert.

 

[shaneb 10+ year member]

NUCLEAR WELDING?!That's intense.

But, I'd like to learn how to weld. Welders are expensive... I might take some courses, though. I'll have to see if they have any classes at my CC.

You can get a little cracker box for 150ish usually. A cheap one.

I have a good friend of mine, sort of a mentor who is a welder, he said if I pick one up he would teach me.

Good stuff.

Down here in TX harbor freight is the cheap-o tool place, i plan on getting one there since it will see little use.

 

[gotparts90 10+ year member]

I have some work to get all my certs, I got a crappy root but always have a had a sweet cover pass. Tig was the easiest for me to pick up because i always used to gas weld and its so close to it. Coat hanger and torches that mufflers getting on!

 

[Cabin_Pressure 10+ year member]

I have some work to get all my certs, I got a crappy root but always have a had a sweet cover pass. Tig was the easiest for me to pick up because i always used to gas weld and its so close to it. Coat hanger and torches that mufflers getting on!

Yeah, tig is just brazing to me. But it falls under welding, go figure. Coathangers do work, done it before!

 

[MAY03TBLT 10+ year member]

Like would part time night school be good

Sure....I took night classes and they were worth it

 

[boomzilla 10+ year member]

I did aluminum/stainless tig for awhile, then got laid off. I have my 6g pipe cert for tig/ stick, but I'd rather travel my *** off when im a little older. A good skill to know, just no where to really use it right now.

 

[KHARPS 10+ year member]

thats the best way. I am union 597 but not a welder, about half the union is welding and they make the same per card level we do. I have gone to the welding class's at the hall for about a year 2 days a week for 4-6 hours burning rod after rod. I may get my certs soon I never tested but have been out of work awhile and that might help.
Stay clear of those little welding schools that churn people out and teach you mostly MIG. You may just get stuck weling staircases all day or something along those lines for 12 an hour. Fitters here in 597 is about 40 an hour A card with killer bennies.

What company? I work for Amex if you've heard of them, but I'm not union. Just seasonal help when I'm home for school.

 

[WOT]

So is there any chance of say getting a job with a company if you just KNOW HOW TO weld? LIke if I go to community college for a couple months, probably wouldnt come out with any certifications or anything right?? And then would a place even consider me with just that skill? Or you do you need certain things to even get noticed?