Is this a common condition?

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I am so new and inexperienced with welding that calling myself a noob or FNG would be an insult to noobs and FNG's. But in the short amount of time I've been around any welding, I've started to realize I'm afflicted with something that may be serious.  I think it's a result of my exposure to the art of welding.  I find that I am waking up at 2 in the morning most nights and instead of going back to sleep I lay there thinking about what I'm doing wrong when I practice welding or different designs I can use for projects.  Is this a common ailment?  I searched for other threads but didn't find any.  How can I get rid of this? Is there a name for it?  Should I ask my doctor if welding is right for me?
Reply:Sadly there is no known cure. Next major symptom is buying massive amounts of metal working tools and multiple welders.Best bet it to look into group therapy. Repeat after me... " Hi my name is ______________ and I'm a welder and a toolohalic. It's been ____ days since I bought a new tool/welder......"Don't be scared. There are many of us with this afliction and we'll help you deal with  this. .No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:It's a rare condition called actually giving a f*ck about what you're doing, it's terminal unfortunately.
Reply:Agreed...you're most likely doomed...most will never escape the grasp of it...-DoogieMiller 350PMiller Trailblazer 325 EFI w/ Excel PowerLincoln LN25 suitcase welderXMT 304/22a feederMiller Syncrowave 350LXMiller EconotigHobart Handler 140(2) Uni-Hydro 42-14Hypertherm 65 plasmaWEBB Gap bed lathe
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWSadly there is no known cure. Next major symptom is buying massive amounts of metal working tools and multiple welders.Best bet it to look into group therapy. Repeat after me... " Hi my name is ______________ and I'm a welder and a toolohalic. It's been ____ days since I bought a new tool/welder......"Don't be scared. There are many of us with this afliction and we'll help you deal with  this.
Reply:Lol^^^^^^-DoogieMiller 350PMiller Trailblazer 325 EFI w/ Excel PowerLincoln LN25 suitcase welderXMT 304/22a feederMiller Syncrowave 350LXMiller EconotigHobart Handler 140(2) Uni-Hydro 42-14Hypertherm 65 plasmaWEBB Gap bed lathe
Reply:Happily you have been bitten by the welding bug. There is no known cure, but you can help control some of the symptoms by investing in more and better metal working tools and metal materials to use these on. As the toxins continue to take ahold of your mental state, you will get more adept at solving some of your welding related problems easier, but if you still struggle with them sometimes, you can always turn to the support group known as Welding Web. It's a fact that at least 99.998 1/2% of the members here have been bitten too. But we have ways of helping you deal with a lot of your affliction, and causing the toxins to spread faster and deeper into your psyche. Don't even think about discussing this with your DR. as most are not trained to deal with it, unless they too have been likewise bitten by the welding bug at some time in their past. In which case, you might prescribe to him/her to come here for help and support that only the WW members can provide.
Reply:You have not mentioned the other problem of the bug. You cannot walk past a metal object without inspecting the welding quality. Gym and exercise equipment will disrupt your thoughts as well as stairwells and all other machinery. Even sometime just walking into an elevator weld quality might jump out and cause you worry.....
Reply:Originally Posted by mwshawYou have not mentioned the other problem of the bug. You cannot walk past a metal object without inspecting the welding quality. Gym and exercise equipment will disrupt your thoughts as well as stairwells and all other machinery. Even sometime just walking into an elevator weld quality might jump out and cause you worry.....
Reply:Really? Most of the guys I know with serious cases look at the steel and wonder A: what can I make with this, and B: how can I get this home and what equipment will I need to cut it up and move it.... Those with terminal cases already know and have the equipment to do so. Chances are they have already cut it up and hauled it off before I can finish typing this.... .No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Send us your credit card numbers.  We'll have the cures delivered to you.  Welcome from VA.Jerry30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:Hopefully you are a '' OLDER '' person with not too many years left. As you age you become uncontrollable and your need to BUY , BUY , BUY, becomes frequent. You start having so many issues that you need to have multiple welders to be used as needed. You have problems  inside and outside. You don't know if you should weld inside or outside. Oh, weather is cold I'll weld inside today. Then your mancave starts to become full . Only option is to start tunnels to other locations. Some decide that a once chicken coop now becomes the center for multiple drill presses and hardware storage. Then that is full and you turn to what was once a finished basement with your original small area of 8' x 16 ' for a shop. The kids are gone !    So, now you expand  .  The wife can't make it down the stairs so it's ALL YOURS !!!   Now you need to donate some furniture to make room for more goodies, like a ELLIS 1600 horizontal band ! Then you decide to........... OK, enough about me , now let's get you under control.As stated , your credit card number and $$$$$ available to invest and we'll take care of buying your medications ! Start by getting organized, meaning as you bring goodies home have a place for them , not just in a bucket or in the corner , or laying against the wall ready to be knocked into the wife or girlfriend's car. Make some shelving and a rack for storage. Check Craigs list for free stuff. There are many deals there too. Oh, DO NOT call the SUICIDE hotline, I did that and they put me on hold !
Reply:You know when you have real bad problem is when you are trying to go to sleep and lay there thinking" How do I do this or that and do I have the stuff to weld it up. The way I see in my head?" The waking up at 2  am is just side symptom of the getting to sleep part. Sorry to say this will never be cured until death has arrived at your door step.... Opps not suppose to tell them that. Sorry guys I let that slip.Klutch 220si mig , stick, and dc tigHobart 140 AHP ALPHA 200X 2016Lotos LTP5000DSmith O/P
Reply:i do know a temporary fix take liberal amounts of alcohol then apply two blondes on either side  affects should last about 3 hours but symptoms will reappear as soon as you step in the shop
Reply:Smedley DGeritol: 10 - 2 - 4, a shot between each project.Opus
Reply:Oh yeah, the condition is common - when I taught my son to tig aluminum he would dream about it.As a result, it qualifies as an addiction and a disease - the carriers initially affect others...then the addiction takes over. Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:You should have started drinking, you'd spend less money and have more time with your family than you will with your current condition.
Reply:Originally Posted by chickenfarmerYou should have started drinking, you'd spend less money and have more time with your family than you will with your current condition.
Reply:Originally Posted by mwshawYou have not mentioned the other problem of the bug. You cannot walk past a metal object without inspecting the welding quality. Gym and exercise equipment will disrupt your thoughts as well as stairwells and all other machinery...
Reply:It looks  like you are not alone Smedley but then again we all are.
Reply:Like many of us on here, maybe, I too dream of "what next?" And "what can I make out of this?"Speeking of equipment and tools and not having enough of them, here's something to drool over. I like it so much that I want another one. Oh wait, I already have two plasma cutters. But a third wouldn't hurt. Btw - good luck with finding a cure for this disease. I been searching for one for just over ten years or more.ScooterLincoln Weld-pak 155 - .030 Solid wire & 75/25 gas mixMiller Thunderbolt 225Hypertherm PM 85Thermal Dynamics cutmaster 38Gas ax with rose bud attachment
Reply:Its not "The Bug".....More like "The Curse".Good luck with that....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:I think the first indication that you had a problem is that you went to google and typed in "welding forums".BTW...don't ask me how I know that.
Reply:Originally Posted by Smedley DI am so new and inexperienced with welding that calling myself a noob or FNG would be an insult to noobs and FNG's. But in the short amount of time I've been around any welding, I've started to realize I'm afflicted with something that may be serious.  I think it's a result of my exposure to the art of welding.  I find that I am waking up at 2 in the morning most nights and instead of going back to sleep I lay there thinking about what I'm doing wrong when I practice welding or different designs I can use for projects.  Is this a common ailment?  I searched for other threads but didn't find any.  How can I get rid of this? Is there a name for it?  Should I ask my doctor if welding is right for me?
Reply:Like others said it is a desire to be good at a task. Some people have it some don't. My 10 year old expects to excel at anything he does and if it takes 2 times to figure it out is unbearable till he gets it.Millermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammerJust wait until blue things start popping up in your garage, your living room, and even your parts for them in your dishwasher.You should see the side effects that come with it - nagging, late nights, you name it.Miller Dynasty 200DXMiller Spectrum 250DMiller Millermatic 200Bunch of old blue dinosaurs....
Reply:Originally Posted by jontheturboguyJust wait until blue things start popping up in your garage, your living room, and even your parts for them in your dishwasher.You should see the side effects that come with it - nagging, late nights, you name it.
Reply:I'd say your condition is a common one.  I was bit by the bug a few years ago, and bought my MIG.  Then came the plasma cutter.  Then, I came across a deal I couldn't pass up for a stick welder.  Now I've been trying some TIG at my father in law's house, and think I need a new machine to run TIG at my house too.  And as for the red vs. blue argument...  Nothing 10 minutes and a rattle can can't fix!
Reply:Originally Posted by DcraftYou meant "red" things didn't you?
Reply:I will add a footnote to my earlier post.  You know you have it bad when the steel supply company puts you on their mailing list for Christmas cards.  And when everyone at the LWS and steel supply company know you by name.
Reply:2 engine drives, 3 sticks, 2 migs, 1 scratch tig setup.Is it enough?No! I stay awake at times trying to figure out how to improve my skills and which one to tackle nextNever should have bought the first one!
Reply:Originally Posted by ironmutti do know a temporary fix take liberal amounts of alcohol then apply two blondes on either side  affects should last about 3 hours but symptoms will reappear as soon as you step in the shop
Reply:When did my wife join the forum?.......  Betty, is that you?.........   No, wait a minute, she only wakes up at night and stews about miniscule issues.
Reply:Originally Posted by mwshawAnd when everyone at the LWS and steel supply company know you by name.
Reply:Weed is legal in your state. Have a puff and go back to sleep.