Difference between a Welder and trades that require welding

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I've graduated highschool about a year ago and I'm interested in becoming a welder as I did some arc welding in shop class and it was awesome.I saw on the UA site that one can be a Certified welder and do an apprenticeship to become one, however boilermakers weld, pipefitters weld I believe and same with Ironworkers, millwrights and the guys who work pipelines like in the oil sands.What is the difference? Does a journeyman welder learn everytype of welding and work with boilermakers or pipefitters or ironworkers just for the welding part?Or do boilermakers and pipefitters etc just learn a certain type of welding?I'm interested in construction, I do not want to work in a warehouse mig welding all day or a car factory.I'm not sure how it works can someone share some knowledge please?Last edited by JayRenks; 08-13-2013 at 05:37 PM.
Reply:Boilermakers and pipefitters do the most welding. A Ship-fitter does pure Structural welding on a ship. As for Ironworkers in NYC(By me ) Theres 580 is ornamental iron workers and 40 does structural.  I know i member here said they had to test 800 some odd people from 580 to get a 100 welders to get a AWSD1.1 cert so I can not imagine they do a whole lot of welding if the struggle with that.
Reply:I see, so boilermaker or pipefitting would be the way to go for most welding.Are there guys who do only welding though? or is every welder in a certain trade?
Reply:Originally Posted by JayRenksI see, so boilermaker or pipefitting would be the way to go for most welding.Are there guys who do only welding though? or is every welder in a certain trade?
Reply:All the crafts you mentioned do require you to serve an apprenticeship and actually learn the trade, getting what certs are required for whatever trade you get into is a bonus in your favor.
Reply:There are people who do nothing but weld. In my limited experience they are usually pipe welders or "combo welders" who can read blueprints, fit, and multi-process weld structural and pipe.I was hired by a shipyard to weld pipe. They have ship fitters who do limited structural welding (tacking things in place), and they have structural welders and pipe welders. At the same time, I am called a "ship builder". I have to go to their company school and learn the necessary skills (besides welding) that a welder who builds ships should know.
Reply:That's all union talk. IF you wanna strictly WELD and make big bucks. Hit up a pipeline become a helper and learn how to do a 12 on 12 branch test. Or for plant work the 2inch 160 wall test.
Reply:Originally Posted by akabadnewsThere are people who do nothing but weld. In my limited experience they are usually pipe welders or "combo welders" who can read blueprints, fit, and multi-process weld structural and pipe.I was hired by a shipyard to weld pipe. They have ship fitters who do limited structural welding (tacking things in place), and they have structural welders and pipe welders. At the same time, I am called a "ship builder". I have to go to their company school and learn the necessary skills (besides welding) that a welder who builds ships should know.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bostick101That's all union talk. IF you wanna strictly WELD and make big bucks. Hit up a pipeline become a helper and learn how to do a 12 on 12 branch test. Or for plant work the 2inch 160 wall test.
Reply:To be an ironworker and weld all day is possible, but you still need to learn the rest of the trade. And if things slow down, you don't have much choice on what kind of work you do. Work is rarely slow around here, which also helps.  Originally Posted by KevinL90  I know i member here said they had to test 800 some odd people from 580 to get a 100 welders to get a AWSD1.1 cert so I can not imagine they do a whole lot of welding if the struggle with that.
Reply:Originally Posted by BlueArcTo be an ironworker and weld all day is possible, but you still need to learn the rest of the trade. And if things slow down, you don't have much choice on what kind of work you do. Work is rarely slow around here, which also helps. Sounds kind of fishy. We only have about that many active members, many of who have zero interest in welding. Not to mention, getting 800 guys through our school would take forever. But who knows.What line of work are you in?
Reply:Pipefitter unions and boilermaker unions are two different things, they each have their own welders. I'm in the pipefitter union and all I do is weld pipe. Pipefitters fit it up and the welder welds it. In the union they generally frown on you doing someone else's trade.I just got back in the union after being out since the early 90's.I've worked around boilermakers on shutdowns, it's not something I would recommend to anybody. Nasty working inside those vessels. Pipe welding is good work.
Reply:Originally Posted by KevinL90pipefitters are generally setting up and welding plumbing pipes, Boilermakers are welding the parts to boiler pressures. Not many people want just a "welder" now a days
Reply:Originally Posted by OldSparksJust to expand on this for JayRenks benefit seeing he's from Canada. Unionized boilermakers in western Canada, for the most part,  have two hiring boards.  One for the riggers and fitters who do the crane work, manhandling, and positioning of the tubes/plate/vessel and then a separate board that is strictly for welders.  Depending on the scope of the job, the welders may offer some assistance to help in the  fit-up but for the most part they only weld.  I imagine the pipefitters have a similar arrangement.  Millwrights seem to be required to have at least some welding experience, but the trade is mostly wrenching and doesn't necessitate a pressure ticket.
Reply:Originally Posted by TimmyTIGPipefitter unions and boilermaker unions are two different things, they each have their own welders. I'm in the pipefitter union and all I do is weld pipe. Pipefitters fit it up and the welder welds it. In the union they generally frown on you doing someone else's trade.I just got back in the union after being out since the early 90's.I've worked around boilermakers on shutdowns, it's not something I would recommend to anybody. Nasty working inside those vessels. Pipe welding is good work.
Reply:I didn't get in until I had already been welding for about 10 years, they were recruiting at a non union job I was on. You have to have 5 years verifiable experience to get in as a journeyman.I'm not too sure about the apprentice deal, whether you can just go down to the hall and join up or if you have to get in through a company that uses union labor.
Reply:Originally Posted by KevinL90Where do you work out of?
Reply:I would go to the Unions, if you can get in to the unions that's the place to be. They'll take care of you and watch over you, as well as get you work, get you certified and everything. Plus they help you grow, so my advise is to take it as it comes, and don't be in a rush to get to the top just enjoy the ride! Good place to be the Unions.
Reply:Originally Posted by KevinL90wrong Ironworker it was 40. Me im in not line of work. I put in Application to 40 there last Apprentice run. Was a Diesater almost 4000 people day one. Ill be in line in sometime in March if the 580 website is right but from the sound of it if you olny got 100 guys you prolly dont take to many guys.
Reply:Originally Posted by BlueArcI'm shocked to hear that about 40, but anything's possible.Also, I meant that we have about 800 active members. I believe we take 40 apprentices per year, and the test is every 3 years. Definitely sign up for 40 and 580. I believe 40/361 are the same test. Unfortunately the final drawing is done by lottery, but that's the world we live in.
Reply:Originally Posted by akabadnewsJust got hired at NNS in Virginia. I guess it's a Huntington Ingalls company.