shaky hands

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Hi am 19 and thinking about going to school for welding next semester. The problem is I have anxiety which causes shaky hands(but no severe). I took welding in hs and was one of the better welders in the class but we did easy welding welding such is mig and stick and we could use two hands. What I am worried about is when I would go to school I wouldnt be able to to do tig or be able to weld using one hand I want to be a welder but I am afraid the shaky hand thing might get in the way.
Reply:I sometimes have shaky hands, never caused any trouble tig welding. (getting comfortable and bracing your arm/hand helps allot)Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Talk to a doc. There has to be a reason.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Can you write your name with a pencil? or are we talkin like Michael J Fox here?Cuz if you can, then you can TIG weld.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:I can put your shaky hands in cadence with the beads. Where are you located?It's shakey feet are the problem. 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.
Reply:Originally Posted by MikeGyverCan you write your name with a pencil? or are we talkin like Michael J Fox here?Cuz if you can, then you can TIG weld.
Reply:I think it anxiety that is the problem, not 100 percent sure though
Reply:The more of your arm you have hanging in space the worse you'll shake, that's why Jody's Tig Finger is a decent idea, and why so many walk or scoot the cup against the work. The absolute minimum bracing is elbows against the body, but I'm rarely tempted to take a picture of those welds.SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:Shaking hands won't necessarily impede you. I have a buddy who used to be addicted to prescription pills. Since he kicked the habit he shakes a lot. Not MJF shakes but when you watch him weld you might want to chuckle. His welds come out just as smooth as the next guys. Not always perfectly straight but they pass visual and bend tests.Like many people have said it's all about getting comfortable and bracing yourself. With tig welding (pipe, at least, and walking the cup) you want to have your torch hand as gentle as possible. Usually a gentler grip will keep the electrode from shaking as much. I imagine the hand holding the filler rod would be the more important one regarding the shakes. If you can't keep it steady in the weld pool you may have a problem. If you can... go for it.But I digress. If I were you, I would try and pick up a class or two at a tech school/community college before dedicating yourself. Just to see how you do. If it's not working out, there are other trades you can get into. Something like shipfitting or rigging... or even bypass welding and try going right to QA/QC work and being an inspector. Though inspectors without welding experience are, in my opinion, lacking. Also, a lot of (structural) welding these days is going toward flux core. From what you said, I imagine you can operate the gun just fine. Get into structural welding. It may not be as good  as pipe, but it's welding, and the pay is still pretty darn good on the higher scales. I think the saying goes "a grinder and a can of paint will make a welder what he ain't"... so shoot. I've seen some horrible (looks like he sewed up a donkeys *** with a grapevine) welders get paid good money. If it's really what you want, you'll work for it. You'll find a way. Practice, practice, practice.One thing though. If you have anxiety issues, taking (and passing) a weld test might be impossible for you. My first test I was sweating like a fat kid at a hoe down. I couldn't stop my knees from wobbling. Luckily it was a 6g test and I got to weld half the pipe on my knees on the ground.Last edited by akabadnews; 10-05-2013 at 01:49 AM.
Reply:Do you take any meds? Drink energy drinks or a lot of caffeine? Smoke?Any of these can cause shaky hands. Not all slaking or tremors effect fine motor control either so it might not even be an issue for you.
Reply:Yup I know a few welders whom have shaky hands but make perfect welds. And agreed on the caffeine and shaking hands. same for smoking or chewing. I have anexity and it can really drag you down, If you think you have it man get yourself checked out. As time goes on it can take a toll on you if left untreated(ask me how I know, besides its 1 am and I am up still). Guess what I am getting at is don't let something like this hold you back give it a shot and see where it goes. I found that Tig welding actually makes me relax(hood down and I am in my own little world with no worries but my puddle)  Good luck with you decisionMillermatic 30aMillermatic 210Miller thunderbolt 225 ac/dc/ccMiller HF15-1-wg tigLincoln ranger 10(honda powered)Cebora 175 mig Too damn many tools but oddly not enough......
Reply:Originally Posted by cowboy181dYup I know a few welders whom have shaky hands but make perfect welds. And agreed on the caffeine and shaking hands. same for smoking or chewing. I have anexity and it can really drag you down, If you think you have it man get yourself checked out. As time goes on it can take a toll on you if left untreated(ask me how I know, besides its 1 am and I am up still). Guess what I am getting at is don't let something like this hold you back give it a shot and see where it goes. I found that Tig welding actually makes me relax(hood down and I am in my own little world with no worries but my puddle)  Good luck with you decision
Reply:My son-n-law who is in his mid 40s just started shaking real bad. He works as a rigger. Doctors can't figure it out, but they put him on some kind of seizure medicine, seems to be really helping with his hands shaken so bad.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400