Question from someone who's never welded. For an employer/welders in general

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Let me start off by saying I have never done a single bit of welding in my life. Ok, here goes. I've always wanted to learn how to weld. Never had any opportunities due to work taking up most my time. My current job is in the print industry. Its an ok job, pay is alright. But I commute 70 miles one way. (140 daily) its taking a toll on my vehicle and wallet due to gas prices. There's a place close to home that is looking for a welder. I would love to be able to take that job as its closer to home, benefits, close to the same pay etc. Now, my question for you employers or welders by trade. If I came to you and asked if I could "shadow" for a week to learn and see what its all about, would you consider it knowing I've never welded before?By shadow I mean be trained with out pay basically. And do you think 1 week would be enough time? Its repetitive welding. Meaning they make a few products and all welds are identical etc. Just trying to see if its feasible or would just be an waste of my time as well as theirs. Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk
Reply:If they did mig, maybe. Stick or tig, no way 1 week is enough. Even 40 hours of solid training on mig is borderline depending on what they do. Most of the students at the tech school don't get completely thru mig in the 48 hours of class with someone helping them learn. In a shop environment where time is money, I don't see them being able to give you the time to help you do more than basics.I have seen a few people get entry level mig jobs with almost no skills. However most of these jobs were minimum wage where all they really wanted was a warm body who could squirt metal in the right general direction on something like dumpsters etc..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Back when I took my trade 40+ years ago it was a two year course, now it's a two year course with a four year apprenticeship. To be able to pick it up in a week, no, there's so many things that come with training as well as experience......Mike
Reply:If classes at local community college is out of the question then Id recommend applying as a laborer/driller hand at a small drilling company. Doesnt have to be one that drills oil or gas, theres alot of smaller companies that do water wells. Usually theres a Tool Pusher who does the welding and oxycutting on the casings. If your a goood worker and make freinds with the Tool Pusher and tell him u are interested in learning to weld he might teach ya. Just watch how he does it and help him setup equipment.. Another option would get hired onto a maintanance crew. Parks and city worker stuff. I learned by watching a tool pusher on my old drill rig and then I decided I really wanted to do welding for fun so went out and baught me a lil welder. I got hired on another drill rig and helped out the guy who does most the welding here and another coworker told him I knew how to weld and one day the boss says hey I heard yaa can weld and I said Ive been known to stick peices of metal together and then proceeded to prep and weld a 8" casing to a diverter and when I finished the boss was impressed and another coworker picked up the casing with the big backhoe aand dropped it and said well it didnt break and been welding at the rig/shop since.So u can get hired for a "lower" position and get a chance to weld, thats the point of my rant.The drill company im at we dont just weld casings and do wells either. We also do fab work, make our own implements/tools. Make automatic waterers for livestock which we have to build custom fences and metal H braces and crap. Its not just pipe work so u get a chance to do all kiinds of different things. We use a Miller Bobcat 250, Miller Millermatic 250 and O/A.HH140---------------------------https://www.facebook.com/brandon.pike.9
Reply:You'll be "shadowing" with a tape measure, square and grinder in your hand.You know how to change the blade and tune a bandsaw ? I don't give a damn how good someone can lay a bead. Preparing the pieces for connection is 90% of the job.Driving nails with both hands at the same time, blindfolded, don't make a man a carpenter.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Go talk to that company that is hiring. Maybe they will provide the training. What are the details of the job?Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.