Generation or years for Best Weldors

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I was watching "Pipeline through the Fens (1968)" and I was thinking of asking this question for the longest of time, as it was something I always wondered about:Now, they say (for example) that Hockey players are stronger, faster, harder hitting, shooting harder and etc NOW in this day and age, than they did back in the 1980's 1970's 1960's and so on - But what about Weldors?Did they have more highly skilled Weldors back in previous Generations in previous years like the 1970's and 1960's, or are Weldors far more skilled now?46’ sae30047’ sa200 w/Wisconsin VF451’ shorthood56’ shorthood56’ shorthood68’ redface69 redface07’ ranger 305G13’ sae300Inconel/Hastelloy – SS – Duplex – Chrome/Carbon Tig – F3Downhand – STT/RMD – F3F4 – B Pressure
Reply:Debatable. As technology made welders more accessible, less expensive, and easier to use, more unskilled folks are welding than ever before. On the other hand, machines got better, training and materials are better; requirements for many industrial process' are more stringent than ever- so weldors are benefitting from this.The real difference???? Bird poop welds used to be made with a Lincoln Tombstone. Now they are made with a mig welder.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:I think alot of skills have been lost,largely because they are rarely needed today.New processes have made certain skillsall but obsolete.Stick welding thin steel,gas welding aluminum,etc.Everyone used to stick weld and gas weld their hot rods,racecars, and custom motorcycles together.Today that might be consideredprimative,if not dangerous.On the other hand,many people have become very capable at the"newer" processes(like tig).They have skills that at one time didn't exist.Miller a/c-d/c Thunderbolt XLMillermatic 180 Purox O/ASmith Littletorch O/AHobart Champion Elite
Reply:I have been working wity trade unions, vocational schools and welders for over 35 years. This is my opinion.  The days of a "complete" .welder are gone.  By this I mean that you used to be able to give a welder a set of blueprints and when he/she came back your project was done with skill and maybe even a new and better change.  You will not find this anymore.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldbayI have been working wity trade unions, vocational schools and welders for over 35 years. This is my opinion.  The days of a "complete" .welder are gone.  By this I mean that you used to be able to give a welder a set of blueprints and when he/she came back your project was done with skill and maybe even a new and better change.  You will not find this anymore.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldbayI have been working wity trade unions, vocational schools and welders for over 35 years. This is my opinion.  The days of a "complete" .welder are gone.  By this I mean that you used to be able to give a welder a set of blueprints and when he/she came back your project was done with skill and maybe even a new and better change.  You will not find this anymore.
Reply:Trick question Thorton.Break it down into 2 categories, worker and technology.  Also, I don't think it is necessarily limited to weldors, but society in general.I've been in construction for nearly a quarter of a century, and there has been a serious decline in work ethics.  The newer generations have less passion regarding work, focusing more on leisure and "self".  It may not be that drastic, but the overall shift is there.Like others have mentioned, weldors are changing due to change in technology, and "everything" is becoming more specialized. This specialization is narrowing the field of vision for problem solving.It's kinda sad to think about all the "old school" technology and ways that are being lost.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:Personally I think the new technology of these new welding machines makes it so much easier for welders now a days. Arc force, hot start, pulse, pinch, variable inductance to name a few. I know there is a huge difference when switching from my V350-Pro to one of my engine drives. Perfect example look at this aluminum Tig weld I did with my Dynasty 300, I' am no way in any shape or fashion a Tig welder! But the Dynasty makes it so easy! Basically I just turn the machine on and it makes the weld for me. In my opinion, welders of yesterday were more skilled than welders today. Today's welders are most likely more educated though. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:While more people may be making adequate welds than ever before, there is no doubt that the professional individuals of our time are the best educated, most specialized, highly skilled weldors of all time. I think this is a function of the specialization of our workforce, many weldors spend 10 years training, moving up to more & more technical work. Gone are the days of a guy who would be a "Mechanic" which would require him to have array of mechanical skills of which welding would be one. Now these individuals will spend a lifetime focusing on one aspect of the needed skills and developing them. TIG has been around for ~70 years, arc force even longer. We have only recently perfected their use due in large part to the highly specialized craftsmen that operate this equipment.Constant Current Weldor.
Reply:I think the welding schools are sending out people who are specialized in only one or two welding processes.  An example is a young guy who can tig weld SS and carbon pipe all day but could not operate an old AC welder with 6016 rod to weld some angle iron.  My brother called me up asking me what to set the welder for and where the cables should be plugged in to the machine.  He and his welder buddy were wanting to work on a boat dock  I know this one case should not reflect on all young welders but I don't see people mastering all welding processes and I for sure don't claim to.Dan D.