welders age

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have been in construction all my life, i am familiar with welding and cutting whant to attend welding school to change jobs- constructing is a dead end now at 59years is that to old to find employment welding program is 6 months at cc college
Reply:Hello old guy, of all of the trades out there, I believe the welding trade is one of the best with regard to age issues. Many of the trades are informational upgrade intensive, this means that they require a lot of schooling and hence, in many instances, a lot of company monies being invested into their employees. Where this is the case, I believe those jobs are not so fair regarding age. Welding, on the other hand, is pretty much based on whether you can perform the physical aspects of the job or not. If you are up to the tasks physically and have the necessary skills, I don't believe that age is so much of an issue. You have many other things on your side as well, chances are you grew-up and posess the ability to make it to work on time, show up for work, and give an honest days work for an honest days pay, those qualities alone are a big factor for many employers. Additionally you have experience in the construction trades so you likely have a very broad knowledge of many of the peripheral skills that welders need to have. Just because you haven't worked in a welding shop all your life doesn't mean that you don't have somewhat of an understanding of safety issues, possibly rigging techniques, organizing a job, and many other skills that cross and are common to all of the trades. In your shoes I wouldn't necessarily be scared to pursue welding as an employment option at your age. My $.02 and Best of luck. Regards, AllanLast edited by aevald; 10-23-2009 at 03:24 PM.aevald
Reply:Make sure you can see very well at the short distance required so you get the most benefit from the training! We warn our students about this (the vain ones ignore it and the old ones usually listen!) and strongly suggest they get a current eye exam before class begins. Once class begins, have a selection of "cheaters" (magnifiers that clip in to your helmet) through about 3.00 diopter. You can get these from your local welding supplier. Our method is to increase magnification beyond where weld is most visible, to where it is "too magnified", then back off to just before that. It's kinda vague, but you will "see" the results.Some welding helmets come with a cheap reddish plastic tinted lens, such as the Jacksons we supply to students. We trash the red lens and use a green glass lens (shade 10 to start) with a clear lens on BOTH sides of the clear glass lens. Clears are cheaper than glass, and if you invest in an expensive glass lens you'll be in the habit of protecting it. Autodark helmets are nice, but if you learn with a conventional helmet you'll be able to keep welding when your batteries go dead. If you have old guy neck problems like I do, a very light helmet like the Fibre-Metal Pipeliner makes things much more comfortable. I trim about 3/4" off the bottom for throat clearance (abrasive cutting wheels work great)  but that will depend on your neck size.
Reply:Originally Posted by old guyhave been in construction all my life, i am familiar with welding and cutting whant to attend welding school to change jobs- constructing is a dead end now at 59years is that to old to find employment welding program is 6 months at cc college
Reply:Hey old guy,From another "old guy", I've got a few years on you & will turn 66 in a couple months. Allan(aevald) did a fine summation with his response & suggestions and I also agree you  just take the classes & the education available. Welding isn't going away.Been welding 47 years now, & along with other tangent skills(machining/tool-die/fabrication/prod. design) & have never wanted for work. I can still get work welding, although I won't give away all my skills for peanuts. I still work p/t at my present employer and this year has been really lean for ours & most mfg. companies. I was off more than I worked at my company, yet I kept really busy at my home shop with repair work, so the time off was really handy. With so many laid off or on slowdowns, most aren't investing in new.... they're getting their used stuff repaired to get them thru these lean times till the job market picks up. The auto repair shops are booming & most repair facilities are really busy. There is much work to be had if you want it..... gotta hustle a bit.There are welding jobs that are quite physically demanding, and others that will keep you busy, yet won't drain you of all your gusto. As far as the eyes, yup.... mine started giving out at 44, but only to the extent that I only need reading glasses. I have (6) pair of bi-focal & double(upper & lower) bi-focal safety glasses that allow me to weld without any issue. I am religious regarding safety & protecting my aging body & keep myself in top shape. I'm sure the construction arena has kept you in shape & you have no reluctance to give 8hrs work for 8hrs pay. I definitely agree with Allan that we seasoned gents do have a good reputation for going to work every day & on time & are not slackers. So, that is definitely in your favor.Anyway, just go for it.... take the class. I bet you will find it fascinating & quite interesting the vast arena that encompasses the world of metal. Anyway, hope this gives you some encouragement & positive outlook towards welding. Keep us informed on your decisions. Good luck.....      DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:I think at this point, the general state of the economy will hold you back more than age will.  Once you learn how to weld, most folks will probly assume you have years of experience at it due to your age, so age may actually help you there.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op