Freaked out a little. possible first time REAL welding job.

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Guy I went to high school with contacted me on facebook about some possible welding work.  We talked on the phone for a few minutes and he stated he was looking for someone at his shop part time. I have very little "working" experience with welding, I mainly do small things for some friends (most recently my TIG project) but never anything having to do with a REAL job.  The company he works for builds cell towers, so they are looking for someone to fabricate things and weld brackets.  I'm just a little freaked out, they have all the supplies and machines, so I guess my question is, should I know or ask anything prior to going there? or will they basically tell me how they want something welded, and I just do it.  I'm going up friday morning, and I'm nervous as hell.www.thefusionsolution.com
Reply:Take a breath dude.  If you have been doing things before & these lil parts haven't been failing, have some confidence in your abilities.Self confidence & the ability to recognize a bad weld go hand in hand.  Knowing your limitations and needed instruction/learning can be obtained as you go.Questions to ask are similar to the question posed here.  "What exactly am I expected to do, how much training will you offer & how will the finished product be judged".  Answering those questions will help you decide.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Thanks.So far everything I've welded has help up. Just don't want to screw this up as this is the stuff I want to make a career out of.. 32 years old and I was stuck (kind of still am) in a rut on what to do with my life.. finally found my passion.. WELDING.www.thefusionsolution.com
Reply:If you feel the need to weld, find a local community college or a weldor that can teach you the basics - Stick, MIG, O/A.  As you already do TIG, you have the muscle memory for O/A, it's just setting the parameters for what you want to weld or cut.Stick is something a person should know how to do, as it's used for a lot of heavy metal work.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:I actually just graduated from the local tech school welding course.   That's first place I went to learn the basics. I taught myself how to MIG, I was really going to go just for TIG but they offered all three so I did all three.. Stick was fun actually, I really enjoy TIG the most though.www.thefusionsolution.com
Reply:Your all set then.  Go for it, learn as you go, create jigs & mounts to speed production, then make the big bux!Good luck.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:That's what I'm hoping for! lol!www.thefusionsolution.com
Reply:You will be fine as someone said a bit of self confidance and a couple lil white lie's if you have to will get your foot in the door if your a hard keen worker you will be fineCigweld Transmig 265seBoc 140amp StickBoss 200amp AC/DC TIGLincoln Electric Invertec V260-S
Reply:A little playin dumb doesn't hurt.  When they say "weld this", you say "show me the first one".  Some companies like things done a certain way.  So make sure they show you their way.  Figure you got the first few days to play dumb.  After that you better be catching on or they may move on to the next guy.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Thanks for the tips.  I'm a little more calm now.www.thefusionsolution.com
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmA little playin dumb doesn't hurt.  When they say "weld this", you say "show me the first one".  Some companies like things done a certain way.  So make sure they show you their way.  Figure you got the first few days to play dumb.  After that you better be catching on or they may move on to the next guy.
Reply:This is a real opportunity, but I'm surprised no one else has cautioned about don't weld something beyond your ability if it can hurt someone. Cell towers are carefully engineered and have to hold up to wind stress, etc. Meanwhile, congratulations! Enjoy your new career, and I'm a little jealous.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Originally Posted by speedfreak87Thanks.So far everything I've welded has help up. Just don't want to screw this up as this is the stuff I want to make a career out of.. 32 years old and I was stuck (kind of still am) in a rut on what to do with my life.. finally found my passion.. WELDING.
Reply:From my own experience, your people skills will take you farther than just about anything else. You can weld the crack of dawn closed, but if you're personal skills suck you won't last. I realize that a lot of this has to do with life experience, but make the effort to have a sense of humor and interact with people. When being shown something: eye's and ears open, mouth shut but for questions. Talk to those who know more. Be polite and respectful to those around you and you will go far. Employers, that are worth working for, will put up with your lack of knowledge/experience if you make a good showing of yourself. I've worked and canned enough twits to know. Guys that tell me "they know" how to do something when I haven't completely shown them the way I want it done drive me batty!!! Or won't shut up about there weekend drinking escapades or their own "hero" stories. I don't give a ****. If you drive me nuts I'm not going to waste my time.Good luck!!!! You'll be fine.200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:Originally Posted by wb4rtThis is a real opportunity, but I'm surprised no one else has cautioned about don't weld something beyond your ability if it can hurt someone. Cell towers are carefully engineered and have to hold up to wind stress, etc. Meanwhile, congratulations! Enjoy your new career, and I'm a little jealous.
Reply:Originally Posted by speedfreak87I would never weld something above my ability.  I would feel like **** if I welded something and it failed injuring or even killing someone.. I just wouldn't be able to live with myself.. You have to think of the 3-5th owner of the product you are making.  It has been known to happen.  Why do most people try to overbuild things?Thanks for the info guys, I'm going to be upfront with the guys about my experience and knowledge, I'm hoping I get it and learn more from them. One thing about me, when I'm doing something I love, I'm like a sponge. I ask a LOT of questions.. Always willing to learn new stuff.
Reply:Bert and me could probably work the same crew, I favor working with a fella who is open, honest, ez going and listens more than  he talks ...  and U'd be welcome from your posts, an asset for sure... U got the school under your belt, so U know the safety and some skills,  and the age is just right... I would bet you'll do very well indeed.  enjoy,Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Thanks guys. I appreciate everything.www.thefusionsolution.com
Reply:Bert and Matt have pretty much nailed it on the head!Unless you can weld the break of day, the crack of dawn or a broken heart, keep quite about your welding prowess.  Everyone will find out your capabilities soon enough.  Just as said, keep your mouth closed and your eyes and ears open and you will go right far pilgrim!Good luck, Bob."The man of great wealth owes a peculiar obligation to the State, because he derives special advantages from the mere existence of government."  Teddy RooseveltAmerican by birth, Union by choice!  Boilermakers # 60America is a Union.
Reply:OK, update.I went up this morning, the guy showed me around and showed me what I would mostly be doing. Basically I'll be welding plates to poles and fabing up some brackets, but mostly welding. I looked over the stuff and felt it was with in my abilities. I explained to him that I'm not certified, and that this type of thing was the first BIG stuff I will be doing, explained what kind of things I normally do and he said no problem. I would also be welding misc things on the trucks when they break which is fine since I'm more used to dong that kind of welding anyway.  So as it stands right now he is going to discuss it with his boss, and figure out the pay.  If I do get it, it will be basically I go there when they need me,  which is fine.  So fingers crossed, even if it pays just enough to cover my fuel for the 45 minute trip I'll be happy as I'm gaining great experience.www.thefusionsolution.com
Reply:double post.www.thefusionsolution.com
Reply:I think you're in. Be on time, don't rush, be tidy and treat the equipment like it's yours.Best of luck!Matt
Reply:Great!!!! Good luck!200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:Thanks! I'm always on time, at least 1/2 early I hate being late for anything. And I treat my welding gear and equipment like they are sacred. lol!I hope this is the start of good things to come, god knows I could use it.www.thefusionsolution.com
Reply:ya, they know your new and dont expect you to be a master, just express your willingness to learn and your eagerness to weld, and lots of what others said is good tooyou seem decent and level headed, dont strike me as lazy, idiotic, or overconfident which are all traits that make you a bad worker in generalgood luckOriginally Posted by snappy101ya, they know your new and dont expect you to be a master, just express your willingness to learn and your eagerness to weld, and lots of what others said is good tooyou seem decent and level headed, dont strike me as lazy, idiotic, or overconfident which are all traits that make you a bad worker in generalgood luck
Reply:Originally Posted by speedfreak87That's one thing I like about welding.. I'm moving and actually working..  My current job (corporate security) I sit way to much and it bores me to the point where I don't even feel like going to work.If I get a full time welding job, I will be happier then a big in poo.
Reply:I like making money, if I have to weld 7 days a week, 12-16 hours a day, I will.. I like it that much.  does it hurt at the end of the day? it can. but it's all worth it.www.thefusionsolution.com
Reply:I am not familiar with this post; I hope I get some more information about it so I can also understand how this goes along. Taxi accountant leather chesterfield oil paintings
Reply:Originally Posted by summerjI am not familiar with this post; I hope I get some more information about it so I can also understand how this goes along.
Reply:Originally Posted by speedfreak87I like making money, if I have to weld 7 days a week, 12-16 hours a day, I will.. I like it that much.  does it hurt at the end of the day? it can. but it's all worth it.
Reply:Originally Posted by sarahbatesWhen you work, especially with this kind of job, I think there is room for you to learn and so this is not something that you should be freaking about. Just express that you are willing to learn. At least you have a background of what you will be doing. You will be just fine.
Reply:Originally Posted by RbeckettOverseas contractors do just that.  I was in Iraq for 2 years and welded 7 days a week 12 hours a day except for vacations.  The money is killer, but so are the hours.  I made $84,107 the first year and changed contractors for a raise to $158, 300 the second.  I got sick or I would still be there burning up rod on armored vehicles all day long.  If you are really interested PM me and I will give you the contact info for the 2 Prime contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Living conditions in A- Stan are a little tougher, but it pays way more.  After a couple of years you can buy your own shop and do what you want, when you want.  I did.