Is Welding A Hobby Or Occupation?

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It seems to me the vast majority of people are hobbyist's on this site, welding this and that for whatever reason. So, what is the blend like? Also if you like to weld as a hobby why not do it as your job? Jee...Metaltrades.co.uk
Reply:would have to vote for both, as a fire sprinkler contractor i weld for the job sometimes (5-50 welds per month). live on the farm and weld up stuff that is in need of repair, not only for me but for friends also (mostly freebies).i truely like making things that are useful or will make things go easier.G3miller... 225g, s32p, 250x, 304, 12vs, MSW41     victor o/a thermal dynamics cutmaster 50 lenco panel spotter        hobart hf-boxG3 Farms.....raising cattle, hay, kids and hell, ...oh yeah I'm a fire sprinkler contractor by trade.
Reply:I own  a garage.  I am phasing out the auto work and doing more welding.  Now its 60/40 welding to mechanic work.  Going for 100% welding.Its not the cars and trucks that I can't fix, its the customer.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Welding and pipe fabrication is what we do for $$$$$$. It is all I do.. I have tried the mechanicing thing.. This welding stuff is all I enjoy...But then again my wife says I am a WORKAHOLIC.....
Reply:It's an occupation for me. I had never welded before in my life until I got a job repairing containers at WM. Started out doing a lot of MIG on front load containers, then I got promoted to compactor technician. Now I do more electronic and hydraulic work, but my service truck has a Lincoln Ranger 8 mounted on it for the occasional field repair. Maybe when the kids are grown up and the mortgage is paid off I'll be able to get myself a welder for hobby use.
Reply:David has a good point it is not the engines i cant fix it is the sissy customers that just keep comming back because they think they heard a noise. I dont get paid if i waste time trying to find a noise that they THINK they heard. After 5 Welding is about to be any hour welding...lol63' Lincoln SA200 2008 miller trailblazer 302fibre-metal pipelinermiller camo BWEand all the guns and ammo a growin boy needs
Reply:usmcgremlin,Good luck, so far its well worth it. Cut it out with the freebies   Even if its five bucks.  I usually charge $1 per minute for the quickies.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:i work for a mechanical contractor full time i weld pipe, do fab work and very little mechanical work such as changing valves and such but on occasion i have to. on the side im starting to get in to heavy equipment repairs welding on logging equipment and bulldozers and such i hope to go full time for myself sometime in the future, i have been charging 40.00 an hour with a 50.00 minimum, this is real cheap around here but it is getting my foot in the door with the local contractors and gives me a chance to prove myself
Reply:I really enjoy making things around here that will cause life to go smoother, and repairing things as well.  However, one would be doing a great injustice to himself if he doesn't realize that it is also a SKILLED TRADE, and that he could make a couple bucks with it!  I have my own business on the side, a mobile welding type thing.  Mostly repairs.  It isn't going to make me rich, and that was never the intention.  It is extra money doing something I personally feel is a lot of fun!  Beat that!Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!
Reply:Its not the cars and trucks that I can't fix, its the customer.
Reply:Can you weld as a hobby and still get paid?Have you ever welded for a living for free?I wouldn't say I weld for a living, but I rarely do it for free. I still consider it a hobby. It's certainly not how I earn my income, but rather, part of the job. Yet I also do it after hours at home & on site. I agree with Dave... stop giving it away.  You shouldn't ever lose a friend over asking for a few bucks for 5 minutes worth of work. For my friends... I don't have minimun charges, but I still collect something.The best things in life all come on a stick!
Reply:Originally Posted by JeeIt seems to me the vast majority of people are hobbyist's on this site, welding this and that for whatever reason. So, what is the blend like? Also if you like to weld as a hobby why not do it as your job? Jee...
Reply:Originally Posted by RabidfishCan you weld as a hobby and still get paid?Have you ever welded for a living for free?I wouldn't say I weld for a living, but I rarely do it for free. I still consider it a hobby. It's certainly not how I earn my income, but rather, part of the job. Yet I also do it after hours at home & on site. I agree with Dave... stop giving it away.  You shouldn't ever lose a friend over asking for a few bucks for 5 minutes worth of work. For my friends... I don't have minimun charges, but I still collect something.
Reply:definitly both for me. Im at work as much as possible, I love to weld and machine.But right now we are renting a cheap apartment waitin for a house so I cant weld at home.........Thats why Im here all the time
Reply:The survey needs a third choice. I have probably spent more hrs in 2007 welding at work than at home, but welding is not my primary work duty. If I'm honest I'm probably 50/50
Reply:I agree with Dave... stop giving it away. You shouldn't ever lose a friend over asking for a few bucks for 5 minutes worth of work. For my friends... I don't have minimun charges, but I still collect something.
Reply:Professional Welder for wages during the day.  Portable welder business after hours.  Also Journeyman Automotive mechanic w/ Interprovincial Red Seal.  I do whatever is required at work, be it Mechanic, Millwright, or Welder....It all pays the same, but I'm happiest making smoke & noise.Later,Jason
Reply:I am retired, so every thing I do is a hobby and do have a small fix it shop to earn money for more toys and cup of coffee.
Reply:As stated we should have a third option to vote. I work doing maintenece at a full time job were I do several fab and welding projects. I also have a small business doing fab and welding. Since I have my own shop, I do some hobby work as well trying to come up with new ideas and projects to sell.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:I checked hobby on the poll, but my job involves welding. I work in a custom sign shop, doing mostly one-off fabrication. This requires some welding, but I spend more time welding in my own shop at home. I've only been fabricating as a profession for a short time, but it has been a hobby for several years.Miller EconotigCutmaster 38Yes ma'am, that IS a screwdriver in my pocket!
Reply:Welding and fab work was a occupation for 40 years, but since I retired it is now just a hobby. One I really like to do I might add.Clarke 130EN C25Lincoln 225 AC Stick(1968)Smith O/A RigHF 4X6 Red BandsawBlack & Decker Pro Chopsaw16 Speed Drill PressSpeedglas XL HelmetHarbor Freight Stuff
Reply:It's both for me.  Welding started out as messing around with it as a kid, then turned into a hobby for myself, then freinds and neighbors, then friends of friends and eventually by the time I was in college, I had some occasional paying customers.   I also did welding as a part of my job at a couple jobs I had during and after college.  For a few years now, I've been doing production aluminum welding as my regular 40 hour job.  Still doing repair and fabrication jobs from home, and lately I've expanded into mobile repair welding.  Who knows what might be next...MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Its a way of life My Babies: HF Drill pressHF Pipe Bender3   4.5" Black and Decker angle grindersLincoln Electric PROMIG 175that´s it!
Reply:For the time being it is a hobby. Hopefully in the near future I can make some money and then weld for a living.
Reply:Shouldn't the poll look like this:Is welding a disease or an addiction?O YesO YesPatrickLincoln 175HDAlso if you like to weld as a hobby why not do it as your job?
Reply:way of life, n occupation! I burnt my first rod when i was 11 yrs old, on gramps ol lincoln buzz box, welded all through high school, went to a hobart school for one year, pipeline helper for a couple months, migged for three years, for a machine shop, migged and sticked train cars, n utah for a couple years. 2007 been sticking a sale barn in Loma, on dirty ol maganatized **** pipe! lol!Start for a roustabout company tomorrow, doing tie ins off of the main gas line. I wish welding could a been a hobby!!! lol(:
Reply:I wanted to learn about welding as a hobby, and took the "sculptural welding" class at our community college, which was an intro to safety, o/a, stick, mig and plasma cutting.  I then took the advanced mig/tig class twice (I am a slow learner). I also was able to attend one of Zap's classes, where I learned several techniques not made clear in the college classes.When my Lincoln SP-185 was stolen when our house was burglarized, I used the insurance money for a TA 210, and also have Cutmaster 38. I hope to buy a TA Arcmaster 185 in the near future.  All I need is a more permanent workspace, apart from my garage for welding and the patio for cutting and grinding. We are looking for another home, but probably not in the near future as they are still overpriced in Phoenix.I am in awe of the breath and depth of knowledge you all impart on this forum, and have become as interested in the technology of metal-working and welding as in the techniques --but they are obviously inseparable.Otherwise, I earn money as a psychiatrist.
Reply:Originally Posted by scott brunsdonWell, there are those days when it's very slow at work or I'm doing something I'm not enjoying and I say to myself: 'I wish I was a welder.'Then there are those days when it's stinking hot and I'm glad to be in my air conditioned office playing on the internet.I suspect if I welded all the time I wouldn't enjoy it as much.
Reply:For over 40 years it was an occupation. Now it,s just a hobby.
Reply:i'm a hobbiest, looking to become a professional after i get out of school. why don't i just get a job as a welder? #1, skills. some people have it, some don't. some just need some guidance, that's why i'm going to school for it.#2, experience. talk to any potential employers. they will take a seasoned vet over a rookie any day.#3,and this kinda goes with the other two, is certifications. some jobs require certifications. we just had one here at work a while ago that required (2) welders to be certified in order to MIG in the Vertical Up position for a hurricane rated platform. different jobs require different certs. the easy jobs that require basic certs are already filled. the harder jobs with the more specialized certs are sometimes available, but require a certain level of experience that some of us don't have.just my $0.02Later,Andy
Reply:Both for sure.  I don't know a single person who welds professionally that does not also do it as a hobby in one form or another.
Reply:Yes, there should be a third category.Just as I don't farm as a hobby, I don't weld as one either.WeldingWeb forum--now more sophomoric banter than anything else!
Reply:What if it's not your day job but you do get paid to do welding jobs, but use it a lot for "personal" stuff, then what is it?Me!
Reply:Its my job.  Today I welded 27 D rings on little excavators.  All were just off the floor and hand to be welded overhead fillet on the bottom side.I made some good bucks, but sure earned it.Used pulsed spray Mig!Its a job, and I like it!   Tomorrow is some cast Iron.DavidLast edited by David R; 01-09-2008 at 07:15 PM.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I have a job playing on computers. But I make some money doing odd jobs. Mostly motorcycle exhaust and what ever else I can find to weld. LAst year the accountant told me it was hobby. said I didnt make enough for it to be a job. But I have been able to squirrel away enough money for 2 new welders and a water cooler. Makes me happy.Wife gets mad when I spend so much time in the garage. But at least I'm home.Most times I would rather be in the garage making something than be at work. But I need to pay bills first. At least until I retire.mm135HTP Invertig 201 With water cooler9" Southbend LatheLots of hand tools.
Reply:Hey guys,This is my 44th year welding as an occupation shared with production design & machining. I also have a sweet "hobby" side operation at home that includes a complete machine/fab shop & mobile unit. Retired 3 times, but just can't get away from metal fab & welding, so I just work now 3 days/wk, 4 hrs/day. I make a lot of AL D/Plate crafts & do 4-6 restorations on classic cars on the side. I find working keeps one healthy longer. Once welding gets in the blood...it's there forever.   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:I think the most important selection was missed and that was BOTH!I look at it this way I've done welding as part of my job in industrial maintenance.   Now that might no be professional welding in the strictest sense as it was only an aspect of my job, but it was welding for money.   The good thing with respect to that is that the companies I worked for in the past at least recognized when a professional welder was needed so I never felt put upon.Now I work at a place with a professional welder so I'm actually loosing skill level.    All my current work is oriented towards welding for hobby purposes.   The good thing is that at work I know enough about welding that I can interface with the welder better than some.   It is mostly a case of knowing what is possible.Dave
Reply:Originally Posted by Chris weldsBoth for sure.  I don't know a single person who welds professionally that does not also do it as a hobby in one form or another.
Reply:Originally Posted by JeeIt seems to me the vast majority of people are hobbyist's on this site, welding this and that for whatever reason. So, what is the blend like? Also if you like to weld as a hobby why not do it as your job? Jee...
Reply:Originally Posted by David RI own  a garage.  I am phasing out the auto work and doing more welding.  Now its 60/40 welding to mechanic work.  Going for 100% welding.Its not the cars and trucks that I can't fix, its the customer.David
Reply:I used to o/a weld service taps on live gas main for about 10 years.I was on one of our distribution crews.The last ten I have worked in another dept responsible for all the reg stations and tie ins of gas mains with our pipeline contractors.I don't have to weld anymore so I play at home with a small stick welder and a wire welder.I am around alot of pipeline welders and never far from the music of an sa-200, Gotta love em.pro-level dumpster diver                                     Hobart 125EZ
Reply:started as I needed to learn something to do in school cause I hate regular book type school, Now hopefully it will turn into an occupation since I just had my apprenticship interview last week. I cant wait to get paid for what I love to do. cause getting paid to do something you hate is getting very tiring.
Reply:I teach welding at a couple colleges in Toronto but sometimes miss the challenges of the real working environment.  It also happens to be one of my favourite hobbies.  I create metal art for friends and family when Christmas & birthdays come around.Talent is a flame. Genius is a fire.- Bern Williams
Reply:It was my occupation for 23 yrs.. Worked in a boiler shop for 15 yrs doing everything from 22 ga stainless sheet metal up to 3" thck. plate fabrication and having certifications in tig,stick,fluxcore mig.From there went to a sheetmetal shop that made custom stainless restaurant equip..Left that job in 2004 to go into my own lawn and landscape business full time. I had been doing the lawn thing part time for 10 yrs. I have made many times more money cutting grass than I ever did welding. Probably stayed in the wrong places to long but I got alot of experience. I have my own small welding shop and do mostly my own repairs on my lawn equipment. Always something breaking on that stuff. I do some motorcycle and car parts fab. in the winter since the grass doesn't grow , make some furniture and ornamental ironwork and have a powder coating setup. It has taken me many years to get the equipment I have by doing work on the side and investing in equipment. All I can say is if you really want to do your own business, never give up on it and good things will come from it.
Reply:Its a hobby that I trying to turn into an occupation.