pros vs joes on the board

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just curious how many professional welders there are on here vs amature.
Reply:sadly i'm the third, and there arent any job openings within 4 hours of me..."...My pappy was a pistol I'm a son of a gun...""...God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy..."
Reply:Pro, until now Tig on SS (Food Industry), About to make the move into Aircraft/aerospace...
Reply:Pro,worked as a welder all through out college, now I'm a welding engineer. I design welds and train welders. Among other things.Welding EngineerCertified Scrap Producer
Reply:Third Wheel.Have a BA in General Studies.Major History, Minor English, Minor Secondary Education.Wanted to be a teacher and found it's pretty hard to get hired for History / English.Setup a new secure plan for the future.Working on Masters in Project Management!Currently work retail.Doing welding on the side wherever I can find it.2 Year plan is to learn what construction and welding on a jobsite is about. Learn as much as I can and bid on new jobs every 18 months.2.5 Year plan is to get into NDT5 Year Plan is to get into QA / QC10 year plan is to attain CWI credentials15 year Plan is to possibly use the education degree to become an instructor.Currently in school for GTAW, ASME Section IXHave Current Certs in AWS D1.1, SMAW ASME Section IX etc....Going to start the job hunt and in August after completion of Tig class. My brain and hands are worth a boatload of money lolz........Maybe one day.....They'll start paying me back! Last edited by jsm11; 06-03-2010 at 02:08 PM.
Reply:I will always consider myself an amateur, because I keep learning new stuff everyday.... guess that's why I still enjoy it, love the challenge.Synchowave 180SD  Bernard 3500SS water coolerMillermatic 200Parker Plasma Tec 40dvOperating Engineers Local 12
Reply:Originally Posted by jsm115 Year Plan is to get into QA / QC10 year plan is to attain CWI credentials15 year Plan is to possibly use the education degree to become an instructor.Currently in school for GTAW, ASME Section IXHave Current Certs in AWS D1.1, SMAW ASME Section IX etc....
Reply:Originally Posted by MetarinkaJust wanted to mention that picking up The CWI cert doesn't have to be along term goal. you need 3 years of experience in the metal trades to qualify working as welder, NDT tech  or foreman all count as long as you can prove your job was somehow welding related.  I'm hoping to pick up my cert next year.
Reply:Originally Posted by MetarinkaJust wanted to mention that picking up The CWI cert doesn't have to be along term goal. you need 3 years of experience in the metal trades to qualify working as welder, NDT tech  or foreman all count as long as you can prove your job was somehow welding related.  I'm hoping to pick up my cert next year.
Reply:Joe here:Only about a year and a half of odds and ends stuff.
Reply:Professional..I also teach TIG once in awhile......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 know quite a few guys who "teach Tig", but I only know a couple who teach it PROPERLY.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:"Your Gonna Need A Bigger Boat" there sunclown......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 often get paid so that makes me a professional. But I love what I do, so that makes me an amateur. It is just word games now.        Sincerely,             William McCormick
Reply:Its payed my bills for the last 8 yrs. Hoping to quit soon and go to engineering school. My body hurts lol.
Reply:I find myself in complete agreement with Mr. McCormick.
Reply:Pro pipefitter/welderUA Local 598
Reply:Hey L-N,Professional. Retired from my company, not from welding. 47yrs welding w/all processes, journeyman machinist & tool/die papers, & production design. Also qualified in furnace brazing & induction welding/brazing. I have so much to give away...free!DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Amateur...sort of. Worked in the mechanical trades since out of H.S. so welding always a part of it. Work in maintenance at a chemical plant now. For the not too critical stuff I'm considered the guy to weld it. The more important stuff gets contracted out.We also run a horse farm so that entails sticking metal together quite often. And I try to keep a few projects going 'cause I like doing it. AlA man is judged by what's between his legs...always ride a good horseMiller DialArc HFLincoln Classic 300DThermal Arc 181iPowermax 45Scotchman Ironworker(2) BridgeportsOkomota Surface GrinderAutoCAD 2010
Reply:Self employed mobile welder and shop fabricator.  Also worked as a production welder before going it on my own.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Journeyman Welder w/ Interprovincial Red SealJourneyman Auto Mechanic w/ Interprovincial Red SealLater,Jason
Reply:i checked amateur but, im less than that.  you should have put a fourth for booger welder. LOL
Reply:Been welding for 35 years and still learning new things.  When you stop learning, something's wrong."The man of great wealth owes a peculiar obligation to the State, because he derives special advantages from the mere existence of government."  Teddy RooseveltAmerican by birth, Union by choice!  Boilermakers # 60America is a Union.
Reply:wow lots of replys. i was just curious what the majority was on the board.  looks like its pretty even.i finished my C level a year ago and have been working steady since.interesting to see some of the stuff you guys are working on.haha i had a little chuckle on the booger welding.  i thought about a 4th option but i figured it might be a little insulting and figured it would just complicate things.
Reply:Originally Posted by i4sillypwrIts payed my bills for the last 8 yrs. Hoping to quit soon and go to engineering school. My body hurts lol.Originally Posted by William McCormick JrThat will go away, that is not really pain, that is gain.        Sincerely,             William McCormick
Reply:I'm more of a Joe,in that I don't weld every day. It's part of my Job,just not needed on a daily basis.I learned to weld in the Army,and have used it,and tried to keep learning in the 35 or so yrs since.   I do Repairs/Maintenance on Directional Drilling equipment,as well as other Heavy equipment...( backhoes,Dozers,Excavators,Pole/Line trucks/hole Augers etc) as well as work on a drilling Crew.   Welding and repair is sometimes a nice break or change of pace for me at times.
Reply:Originally Posted by jrw159Metarinka,  It is 5 years in the industry with a High School diploma or GED. This can be shortened with VoTech or College credits but for VoTech it must be welding related and College must be engineering technology, engineering, or physical science. But even so, like you say, it does not have to be long term. jrw159
Reply:It has been a wonderful trade for me since high school. From the guy welding stuff in his garage to the one welding aerospace components together, its a respectable skill like few others.
Reply:Originally Posted by i4sillypwrIt wont unfortunately. 2 knee reconstructions.( due for another one)2 fractured ankles.1 herniated disk.1 torn rotator cuff.1 bone spur in my hip.at least 10 breaks in my hands and fingers.12369871623 scars.My left elbow and my right hip seem to work ok lol.I'm only 29 almost all of this is from basketball. Totally worth it!
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterWait until you get to be in your 50'S......zap!
Reply:Posted by zapster:Wait until you get to be in your 50'S...
Reply:I have been welding for 35 years. I just "retired" from my oil refinery job because it wasn't fun anymore and they payed me so much to retire early. Now i am going back to being a Union Sheet Metal worker like i was at one time. But for now i am paying the bills out of my own shop...BobBob WrightSalem, Ohio  Birthplace of the Silver & Deming Drillhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/southbend10k/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sawking/1999 Miller MM185 w/ Miller 185 Spoolmate spoolgun
Reply:Professional welder/fabricator and shop owner
Reply:Not my primary source of income so I must be an amateur.
Reply:I make my living cutting chips and making sparks.LarryMiller XMT 304 CC/CVSyncrowave 180 SDLincoln PowerMig 255XTTermalDynamics 52Lincoln 305GComlpete machine shop to back it up
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33Self employed mobile welder and shop fabricator.  Also worked as a production welder before going it on my own.
Reply:I thought I wanted a career....It turns out all I really wanted was a paycheck....    I went to school for auto mechanics, and worked as a certified G.M. line mechanic for 6 yrs..then a hazardous chemical faucility for 8 yrs. with all the haz. certs....now I fab/ weld at a custom iron shop for the rich people...I have always been a good employee...but I was absent in school the day they taught the whole livin' life thing-  I truely do like my latest "career" it's something new everyday...I also went to school for welding- for what it's worth. I think my next focus will be stuctural welding....Obamy say's he want's to rebuild the infastructure...Question will these jobs be prevailing wage???    ZebLast edited by breakingbad; 06-09-2010 at 12:27 AM.
Reply:Most gov't construction jobs are prevailing wage.  Whether anyone will have the money to pay those prevailing wages by the time he's done 'fixing' our economy is another discussion unto it's own...MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I am surely an amateur;  I do enjoy this a lot and try to learn something useful every time I'm around welding.  Probably not any chance of making it a career as I'm retired now, but hopefully if I'm safe and smart about it I can weld and fabricate for quite awhile more.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Used to be a pro. I spent 7 years as a construction lineman and figured out real quick that wasn't a long term occupation so I went to welding. It's not as rough on your body as running up and down high line poles all day long but does take it's toll. Had my own business for 10 years in the middle of my welding career and then ran into a welding job too good to pass up. They paid me very well and when they decided they wanted to get rid of 5000 US employees they paid me very well to leave.  Got bored after five years of loafing and rigged up a truck and worked 5 more years. Gave it all up at 69 years old. Work a day and spend 2 more getting over it. For those in your 50"s: It will get worse. Cortisone is a good thing.
Reply:OT> green chiles are our friend,  good for ya' for sure.  Yes, yesterday I go to school for 6-7 hours in the heat etc.  and  I try hard to buck up and stay even with those 20 year old guys... I don't say a word of course,  just keep hacking it.... got home at 4:30, 107 outside.. took a shower, ate a bite and fell asleep at 5:30, zzz til dawn..  But I don't have to share that with them Monday now do I?Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools