Get my feet wet?

admin

I have a business degree but became a deckhand then captain.  I got laid off and plan on taking this time to try another job that does not require me to live 2 thirds of my life away from home on a small tin can.  I have worked with welders repairing barges, pipelines and my boat but just sat back and watched   Will one semester of welding at a college give me a good feel for welding and if I have the hand skills need.
Reply:If it is an in-depth class covering all 3 main processes (stick, tig and mig) and there is actual formal hands-on instruction as well as classroom time, then yes you should get a good feel for welding in one semester.  If it's a class that only meets one night a week with no real instruction, just getting use of the shop equipment on your own projects, then one semester probly won't be enough experience to decide anything.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by jlgoodingI got laid off and plan on taking this time to try another job that does not require me to live 2 thirds of my life away from home on a small tin can.
Reply:Thinking about starting a career in welding is not a bad idea.  The AWS (American Welding Society) predicts that the US will be 250,000 welders short of what's needed by 2010.  They also say the average age of a welders is 55 years old, so skilled welders will be in high demand within the next 10-15 years. If were you, I would concentrate on learning mig welding first because its the easiest process to learn.  From there you can get a job, to earn an income, and learn other welding processes in your pare time.  Like any other career, the more skilled you are, the more money you can make.  You will meet some of the best folks in your life in the welding business.  An old man told me that when I got in the business and he couldn't have said it any better. Good luck.Welding is my hobby, I just happen to get paid for it!
Reply:JL What company did you work for? Are you familiar with James Marine? Ive worked on a few of those "tin cans" myself. Just my opinion, if you can weld on those rusty son of a guns, you can weld just about anything.Shake and Bake
Reply:Originally Posted by JWCJL What company did you work for? Are you familiar with James Marine? Ive worked on a few of those "tin cans" myself. Just my opinion, if you can weld on those rusty son of a guns, you can weld just about anything.