Too old to start

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My 130+ yr old printing company showed me the door last week after 31 years of working on/running printing presses. I have a years severance to give me time to adjust. I'm 51 with a 401k that has been beaten down to next to nothing. Still have a 17 yr old at home. I am considering welding as a new career. I need a fresh start. Was making about 24/hr with lots of OT. Welding is something I have never done, but always been intrigued by. The finest schools out there are not an option for me right now. From ILL-IN areaMost importantly, Is welding something viable for a 51 yr old man to aim for? Will I have time to learn, perform and excel before I reach my 60s? How bout it pros? Any thoughts. I know how valuable an experienced man's opinion can carry. Grateful for any help. Thanks for letting me in
Reply:Why not? We will all be working until we are 75 anyway. If you have any ability to achieve a 2 year degree at a Community college in Welding Technology, do it. Then concentrate on QC, NDT, DT, and WPS. You seem to be a "hands on" fellow, so this way you can get involved without laying the beads, but still know the background. Wish I did it that way.That is what I do on a daily basis now because the recruits are too green, and the veterans are retiring in droves.This country is falling apart, and we need to keep the infrastructure intact, That includes the quality side of welding. Just because you say you can weld does not mean much anymore.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:Thats a hard question to answer, IMHO it is possible but could be very difficult. Some people seem to have a natural ability at different things. Welding can be a physically demanding trade, which sometimes makes it easier for a younger person starting out. A lot of it will depend on you and your motivation. Sorry to hear about your misfortune.
Reply:If you don't try you don't know.
Reply:I'm 61 and retired from a life long career of welding / fabricating / detailing on heavy industrial jobs across America.During your 50's your body is going to begin to "speak" to you and things are going to begin to wear out or break down (eyes, back, ears / hearing, etc).Make an attempt to figure out what you enjoy doing and make that your target career. You will be happier and so will the people around you. More people should work at something they enjoy doing.Good luck.HoboLincoln SA200's... at least 15 - 20. They come and go. Growing partial to the "Short Hoods" in my old age. Last count on Short Hoods was 13 in possession.
Reply:Sound advice their Hobo. drl1961, as you are already interested, I say go ahead and get a machine for yourself that will allow you to begin practicing. A used AC/DC stick machine that is "farm ready" as they say, should do for the time being. Do stay with something that you can draw enjoyment from. City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:DRL1961, you must be crackers old man.......who's gonna employ an old noobie who never welded a bit in his entire life, and at your age how long do you think you'll take to become even slightly proficient at the game....... that is if you just want to do some tacking up exercises and get paid a pittance for your time.Wise up, at 50 you are over the hill and going down hill fast......by the time you're 60 you will be unemployable, that is if you can find a job while waiting in the queue of younger hopefulls looking for full time employment and are healthier and fitter than you.I would have to say that anyone who suggests you take up welding as a career at your age to earn your daily bread is giving you a bum steer, and by the time you get to 60 your body will make you just want to sit down and sleep.I retired at 65, now aged 73, having spent 50 years as a fitter and turner and I can tell you that although I still work for myself in my garage workshop it is not an employable life I lead....just hobby work.Welding is a fascinating "watch the little blue light" occupation, and as soon as you tire of sitting/standing in one spot trying to get that perfect bead, you'll hate the job....but by that time you'll be too old to make another fresh start......think about it hard.....today is the beginning of the rest of your life.Ian.
Reply:If you have been working on and running printing presses why not get into millwrighting?  I am not sure abpout the size of presses you have been running but there is always a need for people who can service production equipment whether it is a sawmill or a bakery.
Reply:Originally Posted by puddytatDRL1961, you must be crackers old man.......who's gonna employ an old noobie who never welded a bit in his entire life, and at your age how long do you think you'll take to become even slightly proficient at the game....... that is if you just want to do some tacking up exercises and get paid a pittance for your time.Wise up, at 50 you are over the hill and going down hill fast......by the time you're 60 you will be unemployable, that is if you can find a job while waiting in the queue of younger hopefulls looking for full time employment and are healthier and fitter than you.I would have to say that anyone who suggests you take up welding as a career at your age to earn your daily bread is giving you a bum steer, and by the time you get to 60 your body will make you just want to sit down and sleep.I retired at 65, now aged 73, having spent 50 years as a fitter and turner and I can tell you that although I still work for myself in my garage workshop it is not an employable life I lead....just hobby work.Welding is a fascinating "watch the little blue light" occupation, and as soon as you tire of sitting/standing in one spot trying to get that perfect bead, you'll hate the job....but by that time you'll be too old to make another fresh start......think about it hard.....today is the beginning of the rest of your life.Ian.
Reply:Puddy that is horrible advice.DRL1961 - you are never too old to start something new. If you don't try you won't know like said above. Spend a few bucks on a welder (mig, stick, tig) whatever you want to lean, grab a book and search on youtube and www.weldingtipsandtricks.comSomeone that is older has a different mindset than our current generation and from what I have noticed has that "go get or go do" attitude. My grandpa told me you are never too old to learn and he proved it. He dropped out of school to help support his family in the 1920s or 1930s, and when he was 80 years old he went back to community college to get his G.E.D.  And at that age he wanted to learn computers so I taught him how to type and he would do it all the time.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Around here, there is a lot of competition for jobs, low wages, and a bunch of kids fresh outta high school looking for work. With your experience of the manufacturing business, I'd think about the business side. Maybe look into estimating, project management, etc. Professional welding can be a nasty business, smoke, sparks, and dirt. I worry about all the crap I breathe through my lungs every day. But, it is valuable skill, there is certainly no reason not to take a class at the community college. But I'd consider carefully about trying to make a career of it. I know that I am going to take a hard look at what I'm doing, when my lease is up. I've been thinking about changing careers, but it's not the welding that I'm tired of, it's owning a business. If I do change jobs, I will not sell my tools, I don't think I'll ever tire of making things.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:drl1961,I'd say that your 31 years of experience with printing presses is your best coin.  In that time you must have seen a lot of press work and related problems that you've seen solved or solved yourself?I only know one pressman (newspaper) and he was a jack of all trades, he could adjust and 'fix' about anything on these machines so he had lots of different experiences in different trades.I'd encourage you to work with what you have the most coin- knowledge.  I'm not saying welding is not good or its too much risk, I'm saying you already have three decades start in another skill set.What about finding education for newer press controls- digital upgrades? What about exploring becoming a traveling 'trouble shooter' repair man? Presses are going away compared to the last 30 years- but they're not gone yet - so maybe a few guys like you who know these machines could work as a service business?Welding, like other hand skill/muscle movement trades, not wrenching mechanics or bolt up work- take different people different terms of time to master.  I'm not saying you can't master one of the welding methods enough to get a job, but I'm wondering if you might be ignoring 'money in your bank' of skills and knowledge?You may have to travel, you may have to take less for a while, but looking into service work on a wider market still seems like it would bring you to higher pay, faster than starting out as an apprentice?Are there a half dozen printing firms in a few days' drive? If so, what they may all welcome is for a man that knows his stuff to 'float' between four or five plants and work part time at all of them?  I'm not in any way aware of the business in your area, just asking if you'd thought about the service aspect of this type of expert knowledge?They don't have to pay retirement, they don't keep you on a payroll, they just pay for outside contract services and you accept all the paperwork headaches and tax burden.  Not as nice as it could be but.... maybe work that stretches into the future and lets you make something from your experience and knowledge?Sorry to hear your situation, and good luckCheers,Kevin Morin
Reply:Had a guy show up on my job to calibrate an out dated machine, my boss told me he got $1500 bucks an hour. He was there for 3 hrs. He had the ballz to ask me for allen keys, I told him to double nut some bolts and make his own. So what i'm gettin at is your kinda in a supply and demand situation, maybe go out on your own,theres still a market out there for you. I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:As expected, a vast amount of expertise and sound advice, keep it coming if ya can. BIG thanks to all who chimed in. I'm really glad I stopped here and asked. A puddytat post was expected. Just hope it's not the most realistic one fwiw, our pressroom had dept. machinists on hand for assistance , so while certainly learning some things in that regard, I was more in tune to the actual process with the ink,water,paper,and necessary materials in order to make the final product look good. It was pretty hi quality stuff, not your local newspaper
Reply:I think that weather or not you are successful at welding as new career is up to you, your drive, and your desire to succeed. I am sure that with your years of experience you have seen many new hires struggle to do tasks that you handled easily. You will now be that new guy. The pay will be much lower then what you are use to. But all of these thing will apply to any new field you venture out into. If you have the desire and drive anything is possible.
Reply:DRL1961, now you have it.....welding is a dirty nasty occupation to be trying to make a living at.Starting at your age is a daunting task, especially as they have to put the welding rod in the holder for you literally just to get you to the start line.......that's a big uphill learning curve.....there's lots of jobs you could do if you just need to make a right angle career move, just don't expect to pay all your bills every week as you use to.If you are expecting a substantial severance pay, pay off your house and car if you still ,owe on them, that way you will always have a roof over your head and transport, either of which leaves you dead in the water when you aren't earning money at a regular job to pay for them.Personally I wish you the best of luck....there but for the love of God go I.Ian.
Reply:Round these parts, the guys in the trades always seem to look for the "other" shop in the same business. Musical jobs.  When I got laid off once, I went to one of our regular customers and put my application in there. I got a job! That was the last position I had before my current one.Bounced around for so long before that it weren't true.Last edited by tanglediver; 07-01-2012 at 11:54 PM.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Thats a hard question to answer, IMHO it is possible but could be very difficult
Reply:DRL 1961 .. In my honest opinion ... If you are interested in Welding Sir ... I would consider the field of Inspection .. learn what is viable for your area , x/ray , Magnetic Particle ... Liquid Penetrant .. It is honestly not as difficult as it sounds ... and surely easier than learning to acquire an art form it takes some of us years to get the best of , and the very few have it as a natural gift ... YOU never know until you try . Inspection will be much more fair to your body , as well as mine .. I am interested in it myself , as well ... That is why I am interested Sir . And I am merely 37 . Weirdly one does not have to be a Journeyman Welder , in order to be an Inspector .. Just take the schooling .. If you are interested in the metal trades . NDT- Non destructive testing .... and Visual or both ... its more common sense than anything else ... In my humble opinion ..... Even moreso , you do not have to inhale the plume of disgust that we have to .. nor probably wreck whats left of your knees just to do your job.... starting out we are placed in the positions where no one else wants to go , or do . Much easier for a young fella .. I wish you the best of luck Sir !! Puddytat Ian .. Sir ... you have the wisest words in this thread ...Jeremiah Johnson:after laboriously teaching Swan one word of English, Jeremiah points to himself Great hunter. Yes? Swan: Yes. Jeremiah : Fine figure of a man. Yes? Swan: Yes. Jeremiah Johnson: Good. That is all you need to know. For now.
Reply:I like that answer drl1961, ^, especially after you've been looking at little bitty dots for so long! And sorry to hear the news ...You don't pin your location (south suburbs or along the I-57 corridor very well) - and if you were offset-heat set, gravure or endless etc's.If you're midstate there is business activity in some areas if you are thinking of staying near home. Can't say much about the state of printing, as it's been near 25 years since I dealt with those folks any. Used to work with some with bad-azz presses over there.I may be able to pin down some manufacturing, job shops, re-man facilities, electric motor - depending... Take your time.Good luckMatt
Reply:Good luck dlr.  I get to try out a career change next summer at the age of 56. I think I'm skrewed.
Reply:In my estimation, you're going to be pretty much unemployable as a welder by the time you get some training and experience.  Harsh but it's the facts of life.  A good welder down here can always find a decent job at decent pay.... we have so much manufacturing here with the shipyards, chemical plants and fabrication companies.HOWEVER...unless you have "connections" and have already established yourself as one hell of a craftsman, DO NOT lose your job if you're over 45.  Almost no one will hire you as there are 5-6 young studs in prime physical condition with young families to feed.  Those same guys are great welders, don't complain about the conditions and the foreman has no trepidation about assigning them a horridly nasty, physically demanding job.You've been given some good advice about trying to get into the QC or inspection end of the business.  I'd take that advice. I hire tradesmen often and when it comes to welders I look at 3 things.  Welding ability,  work history and physical fitness.  If you're not lean and hard, you've got no chance.I'm an excellent welder with decades of experience.  I wouldn't hire me as a welder.  I'm 59, 40lbs overweight, have a bad back, worn out knees, fair eyesight and high blood pressure.  I run a shop floor (fab shop owner) but my welding duty is infrequent and only when it's some sort of gravy job that I want to do myself....even then if there is much out of position welding to be done, one of the young bucks is going to get that part of the job.This business has been good to me, but if I were a young lad in my early 20s again.  I'd choose something else to do.
Reply:Kaferhaus, now that's a real world view of the job situation.......experience sometimes doesn't count for much when you're standing in line, but at the same time an employer must have ability at the top of the list of credentials.Ian.
Reply:drl1961, before I comment specifically I want more info, You should do a self evaluation, and be honest, How is your vision, how are your hands, is the dexterity still there or do they go numb and do you get cramps. Can you stand on your feet for hours and can you still bend and kneel on the floor if needed. What I'm getting at is not everybody is warn out at 50. I do not weld for my living anymore but I am going to retire from my regular gig in the next few years and go back to welding. My body is pretty shot and my eyes are no where near what they used to be. However I do have decades of experience and at this time there are quite a few 25 year olds that would be tire if they followed me around for a day. My point is this if your health is shot, and eyes are shot forget it, If your average for 50 maybe so but you will need some time to develop skills.   Now when you say welding , there are many types. You may easily adapt to TIG welding at a bench while sitting, or like one of the other members stated , Millwright type of work where your welding is just a part of your daily activity yet a very good additional skill to make you employable. I would say heavy structural or field work out in the elements is pretty much out of the question or at least a bad Idea. At the same time there are other types of welding that may be well within your realm.  I see others have suggested you find another print company, I will venture to say your are sick of that , right?  Good luck.Last edited by kolot; 07-04-2012 at 10:11 AM."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:If you have been working on and running printing presses why not get into millwrighting?I am 43 and reading these threads I do not want to reach 50.
Reply:Fear not! Cognitive decline will blunt the sting of self-awareness as you make that long, protracted journey into immobile, incontinent, incompetent, insane gummerdom. Modern medical technology can make you, or most of you, live a very, very, very long time. Now get...uh...where's....my....lawn???
Reply:DRL, The other option is your 17 year old....been feeding him/her up for 17 years means he's/she's gotta be good for something......train him/her to be a welder and he/she can repay you by inheriting the family home for keeping you in fodder and firewood in your old age....LOL.Ian.
Reply:DRL, while I was thinking about it, you could always sell up the family home and move to the country, find another place with a bit of land going cheap and needing a bit of work to make it look good, and buy a bit of machinery to dig the ground and plant a few vegies to sell for money and the kitchen.Then you can buy your welder and a pickup and go round the other propeties in the district doing maintenance work with your welder and be self sufficient too.....as long as you can do a decent weld you won't have to be so fussy with nit picking inspectors breathing down your neck.It just depends on how much money you can accumulate from your severance pay and the equity in your home.Whatever you do, make sure you get a LARGE workshop set up at the beginning, then you can fill it with all sorts of junk...LOL.You'll also need a decent size generator for all that work you'll be doing around the district, and your 17 year old will have a job to go into while you're still "young" enough to guide him/her.At 50'ish, providing you have decent health you'll still have enough years left to make a new start and become your own man....owe nothing to nobody.Down in the country you don't have to keep the grass mowed every week and you can still have a garden out front for the missus to keep her occupied.Nothing quite like the aroma of bacon and eggs with fried tomatoes for breakfast early in the morning while you watch the sun come up......sigh.Ian.
Reply:I agree with the millwright suggestion.  Look for work that requires skills similar to what you have been doing.  Network, contact as many of the people you have met in the business as you can, find income where ever you can reasonably find it without selling yourself short.If you want to add welding to your skills set by all means go for it.  Enroll in a basic welding class at a local community college or technical school.  You can even get started by inquiring at the local welding supply.  Most have some sort of connections with schools that offer welding classes.  Sometimes you can get single day seminars for less than a hundred bucks and that can get you started.  I did that in New Hampshire a couple of years ago.  I will be 60 before Christmas.  I work in a totally unrelated industry, though highly technical.  If I loose my current day job I will need other marketable skills.  I have a degree in Paralegal studies but am not really interested in pursuing work in that field. I have good mechanical skills and have always had an interest in machining and welding so I signed up for the welding class.A local welding supply has a relationship with the New England School of Metalwork and I was easily able to take a one day class (about 6 hours) of Introduction to MIG for 80 bucks.  The instructor had 30 years experience in welding, is an AWS certified inspector and AWS certified instructor.  It was a great class and opportunity.  Will this get me a job?  Not by itself.  But it sure got me started and I have hopes.  I have since moved to Massachusetts (still have the same day job) and took another welding class at a local technical school, this time 8 weeks two 3-hr night classes a week.  Now I practice practice practice and will soon be looking for another to further advance my skills!Not all welding jobs require the physical demands of construction or heavy industry.   I know of a woman who has never held a stick but raised a daughter and bought and paid for her own home running a TIG machine in a shop that manufactures small stainless products.  There is work out there.  Continue to build on your current skills, add the welding as a bonus, and you will find work.  There are employers out there who are looking for YOU!  A seasoned vet with a long work history.Go for it!-MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Reply:Lotsa good suggestions here, but I think you wanted a sugestion about welding...buy an AC/DC buzzbox , couple boxes of rod and practise.Take an intro course.5 miles of bead in all positions will teach you about welding.Then if you like it, try using a mirror.Then try doing all positions in the winter outside.I suppose you should try that in the summer too, out in the sun...where I work it's the winter conditions that hurt , I still remember a time under an IR 45 drill rig in the open pit, at -10, laying in a pool of hydraulic, unable to tram the rig out...
Reply:get you buzz box a box of lo/hy and some scrap and lay it to it. dont let noone tell you you are too old. you may find it difficult on the structural end of it especially decking but let the young punks push decking. i say grab it by the horns
Reply:I am 61 now and if I get the Liver Transplant I am waiting for I plan on staying around working until I am at least 100 or so.  No joking around here. If you stay active that is the best way to keep on going. As soon as you lay down and start taking it real easy that is when everything starts to break and put you on the road out of this life.
Reply:I don't think its a great idea. Welding is hot, very hard on the body ,and everything is heavy as hell........and just starting off you will not make good money.