Interested in welding. Gaging my potential success.

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Hi all! I recently attempted to become a machinist and it didn't go over so well. I fell too far behind and had to drop it. Between working slowly and not really getting it, keeping up with the class was next to impossible.So machining isn't my thing. As to where to go from here, I'm in a bit of a pickle. One of my choices was welding. So I guess, to be to the point, if I can't do machining, what are my chances of being successful in welding? I'm not very mechanically inclined. It takes me longer to learn mechanical concepts.
Reply:Sm412, I'm not a welder but an electronic engineer whose been a lot of everything in the IT industry but needed welding and woodwork for creativity which was lacking in the stress of the job - so I'm in this partly for "fun". The thing is, even for fun, for welding (and woodwork or anyother "hobby") you still need to study and have a lot of practice before you can do something well (and quickly enough).What I would suggest for you to do would be firstly to make sure you understand that your work needs to mean money both for yourself and your future boss, so you need to be reasonably"agile" at what you are doing and earn enough money (learning /practice and have a type of jobthat earns money). Having said that, replay what happened when you "attempted" to be a machinist and ask yourself whether you gave yourself a chance bypracticing enough (each individual has different needs in learning/perfecting his/her skills) / did you try your best ?Sometimes we don't like some jobs because we don't know them or we're not suited for them.You need to know what went "wrong" regarding the machinist work to be able to answerwhat you could do next. Think of what you would like to do (choose something that won't make you poor  )and then do it 110%.I wish you all the best !
Reply:There are opportunities for welders ranging from ones that do 100% penetration x-ray inspected welds to ones that weld together grocery carts. To answer your question.. yes, you can become a welder. Where you will fit within this wide spectrum of job types will really be up to you. Whatever you aspire to do, you should do it 100% to have any chance at success.Anybody can learn anything, it's just a matter of how hard you want to work for it. This is to also to say that you can be a machinist too. Sure, it may take you longer than the next guy, more sacrifices might need to be made, but if you want it.. with hard work and the willingness to do a LOT of learning, it's yours! Practice is the mother of ALL skill!-Niche
Reply:Originally Posted by Sm412Hi all! I recently attempted to become a machinist and it didn't go over so well. I fell too far behind and had to drop it. Between working slowly and not really getting it, keeping up with the class was next to impossible.So machining isn't my thing. As to where to go from here, I'm in a bit of a pickle. One of my choices was welding. So I guess, to be to the point, if I can't do machining, what are my chances of being successful in welding? I'm not very mechanically inclined. It takes me longer to learn mechanical concepts.
Reply:You could say welding is more on the artistic/technical/metallurgical side as opposed t machining begin mechanical/mathematical/dimensional side. If you can stand being a contortionist working in tight spaces and developing lightning reflexes, you may be able to weld.Some may be able to handle the obsession and loner lifestyle of welding, some may not. Only way to tell is try it out.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:If u wanna start welding just be ready to practice,practice,practice,practice.  Oh yeah and did I mention practice?  Haha!
Reply:Originally Posted by Sm412Hi all! I recently attempted to become a machinist and it didn't go over so well. I fell too far behind and had to drop it. Between working slowly and not really getting it, keeping up with the class was next to impossible.So machining isn't my thing. As to where to go from here, I'm in a bit of a pickle. One of my choices was welding. So I guess, to be to the point, if I can't do machining, what are my chances of being successful in welding? I'm not very mechanically inclined. It takes me longer to learn mechanical concepts.
Reply:I wasn't successful because I gave up. I was sick of feeling frustrated and confused every time I set foot in the class and in the shop. I was tired of being the dumb one in the class who just didn't get it. Not to mention, most importantly, I really didn't enjoy what I was doing. But I want to stay in the production/manufacturing environment, as that's where I've always worked. So if I do try welding and find myself frustrated/confused, I'm going to have to push through it. Because maybe there's a light at the end of the tunnel, that is, maybe I can enjoy myself. Anyway, thanks for the replies.
Reply:Posting up your location may be very helpfull, there may be a member in wour area that will give you some hood time and let you get your feet wet before you jump into it balls deep.Miller Big 40GMiller HF-251 D High FreqVictor OA Lincoln 135 MigMK 3A CobramaticBridgeport J HeadCronatron OxylanceRadnor ACAG TorchWeldcraft TIG Torches1 blown knee and two 5 Gallon pails away from being a hero.
Reply:Originally Posted by Sm412I wasn't successful because I gave up. I was sick of feeling frustrated and confused every time I set foot in the class and in the shop. I was tired of being the dumb one in the class who just didn't get it. Not to mention, most importantly, I really didn't enjoy what I was doing. But I want to stay in the production/manufacturing environment, as that's where I've always worked. So if I do try welding and find myself frustrated/confused, I'm going to have to push through it. Because maybe there's a light at the end of the tunnel, that is, maybe I can enjoy myself. Anyway, thanks for the replies.
Reply:Sm412, anyone can make a living working as a welder. You wouldn't believe the dumb mother duckers that come out of the hall. Majority of them I was surprised they could find the job site. Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPSm412, anyone can make a living working as a welder. You wouldn't believe the dumb mother duckers that come out of the hall. Majority of them I was surprised they could find the job site.
Reply:Do you have any interest in selling cars? Them guys have it made.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPSm412, anyone can make a living working as a welder. You wouldn't believe the dumb mother duckers that come out of the hall. Majority of them I was surprised they could find the job site.
Reply:I think there were some special edition Cracker Jacks boxes that had a welding tickets for the prize.
Reply:Originally Posted by mikecwikThat would be my general observation as well.I would say welding is easier than machining but they kinda go together. How did you think you wanted to be a machinist to begin with?
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonWell I will tell you the awful  truth. Welding will probably always keep you on your gaurd, frustrated, and confused. The more skill you gain, the worse it gets. So don't think you won't be. I spent a year in a dirty dungy arc booth from hell. I hated every minute of it, but that is what it took to advance to tig. I studied the iron/carbon diagram, and applied it to tig and mig. That was years ago and I never picked up a stinger since. Back to the obsession part. You will be looking at welds on every car, bicycle, stair rail, jungle-jim, all of it. You will be thinking of different filler metals, weld technique, fitup, or what ever during dinner. You will fall asleep in front of the TV with a weld spec in your hands.
Reply:Thank you all for the replies. I'm going to take an intro class and see how it goes.
Reply:good idea! take the class and keep trying things till it clicks.align yourself with a mentor if at all possible or keep up to date with welding web and the Internet sites.keep turning over rocks as an old timer used to say : )
Reply:No one asked this question.  Why do you want to be a machinist or welder?  Do you want to for job/money/career? Or hobby/home?  If you had trouble as a machinist(lots of math involved) then you will probably have troubles with welding or wood working or carpentry or many other things.  I will ask you what do you LIKE to do and what are you GOOD at? Answer those two questions and then start looking for what you can do.  I have been a solder for 22 years and by lucky happenstance found I was good at that.  I now work as a foreman for a municipality doing many things.  I LOVE woodworking and have over the years done that as a hobby and by trial and error.  I now am starting with welding.  I can apply some of my woodworking knowledge to that but find a host of things I have to learn.  And I am.  Its fun.  But my livelihood does not depend on it.  So....what do you want to do?
Reply:Yeah I'm more of a grunt welder myself, I'm more than happy to get dirty with a smile on my face.  I see the things the machinist dose at the shop and they don't really interest me, not to nullify them, they are just not my taste.  All those numbers and precision would give me a headache.  I hope that you enjoy welding.  I do and I get a lot of satisfaction from welding, more so than anything I have ever done.  I totally agree with the welding obsession thing lol that's me to, when I get home from work I read welding books and watch Jody or Lance on YouTube.  Welding is something you should have a passion for tho, If you do it will show in your work.Psalm 121:1-21 I lift up my eyes to the hills—    where does my help come from?2 My help comes from the Lord,    the Maker of heaven and earth.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonBack to the obsession part. You will be looking at welds on every car, bicycle, stair rail, jungle-jim, all of it. You will be thinking of different filler metals, weld technique, fitup, or what ever during dinner. You will fall asleep in front of the TV with a weld spec in your hands.
Reply:you know, today, i spent 2.5 hours cleaning up a mess.backflow preventer, threaded, with welded unions on either side. unions were welded crooked, which made tightening them very difficult. one of the threaded ends was taped backwards, which caused another leak.this work was done by 2 very successful welders that we often hire. welds looked great, fitup was terrible, that whole line has welds within 2' of every joint because they cant  measure,and they went home with a great paycheck  (crap i didn't even get mine because i was too late getting back to the shop) and were home relaxing while i fixed their mess.true welders to the "t". spend half the day complaining about the provided consumables and asking everybody on site if they have 5/32" (2" pipe mind you), spend the "working" half putting stuff wrong because you didn't get your "5's".  . . . . .welding is a great career for those that refuse to have a work ethic. better for those that do.bosses stuff:trailblazer 325maxstar 200my stuff:sa 200fronius transpocket 180100 amp Lincoln w/f97 f350 DITKevin
Reply:Originally Posted by 92dlxmanyou know, today, i spent 2.5 hours cleaning up a mess.backflow preventer, threaded, with welded unions on either side. unions were welded crooked, which made tightening them very difficult. one of the threaded ends was taped backwards, which caused another leak.this work was done by 2 very successful welders that we often hire. welds looked great, fitup was terrible, that whole line has welds within 2' of every joint because they cant  measure,and they went home with a great paycheck  (crap i didn't even get mine because i was too late getting back to the shop) and were home relaxing while i fixed their mess.true welders to the "t". spend half the day complaining about the provided consumables and asking everybody on site if they have 5/32" (2" pipe mind you), spend the "working" half putting stuff wrong because you didn't get your "5's".  . . . . .welding is a great career for those that refuse to have a work ethic. better for those that do.
Reply:But I want to stay in the production/manufacturing environment, as that's where I've always worked.