I want to move away from my welding career

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I've been a welder for 4 years and I think I would be much happier having it as a hobby or just doing some work for myself in the form of a small, part time business. Has anyone changed their career from welding to something else?
Reply:What would like to do besides welding full time ??________________________________Everlast PA140STEverlast PowerPlasma 50And no you can't Borrow them


Reply:went from fabricating to estimating...now planning on going back and doing both. I miss building things and being in the trenches. Question is; Do you want to stay in a related field or move on to something entirely different?Last edited by Canoe2fish; 03-01-2015 at 09:28 PM.Thermal Arc Fabricator 2101970 Lincoln RedfaceMiller 150 STLStill need a Syncrowave and a plasma and a milling machine and a lathe and a bigger shop and a....
Reply:I've left a few times... You always find your way backMiller Spoolmate 200 w/t S-52 WirefeederMM 211'09 Miller Trailblazer 302
Reply:DanRTWhat is your proudest/best welding project?Opus
Reply:I've pretty well all but given it up in favor of repairing welding machines. I like doing that a lot more than using them, but that's just me.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
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Originally Posted by 7A749

I've pretty well all but given it up in favor of repairing welding machines. I like doing that a lot more than using them, but that's just me.
Reply:well I was never a welder, but I spent 12 years in various EMT/Firefighter/paramedic jobs before going back to school to become an accountant at age 32. Best move I ever made. I was getting burned out. The point being it is never too late to change, and change can be good.Miller Multimatic 255
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Originally Posted by WyoRoy

Slag playing Hell with those Miller blue dresses??
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Originally Posted by 7A749

No, I used leather studded aprons to protect them Roy


Reply:Nothing wrong with keeping your horizons open. I like welding from a part time perspective as well as field mobile repair. If I had a welder position in say a production type atmosphere doing the same ole day in and day out, I'd look for something else as I need change and challenge. Sounds like you do too. Think before you leave the profession behind however as moving from job to job trying to find your "place" doesn't look good on a resume as a job hopper. Try to figure out a progression prior to leaving your current employer.SlobPurveyor of intimate unparalleled knowledge of nothing about everything.Oh yeah, also an unabashed internet "Troll" too.....
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Originally Posted by wyoroy

b & d too?!?!?! Sick puppy!
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Originally Posted by DanRT

I've been a welder for 4 years and I think I would be much happier having it as a hobby or just doing some work for myself in the form of a small, part time business. Has anyone changed their career from welding to something else?
Reply:Life is to short, if you are not happy welding full time change careers. There are plenty of community colleges where you can take classes at night. First find out what you want to do, write a plan for what you want to do and go for it.
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Originally Posted by OPUS FERRO

DanRTWhat is your proudest/best welding project?Opus
Reply:Why are you unhappy with what you do and where you work?Every time the ups guy comes in our building I think f I would hate doing what he does. I wonder if he envies my position or says the same thing.
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Originally Posted by DanRT

I've been a welder for 4 years and I think I would be much happier having it as a hobby or just doing some work for myself in the form of a small, part time business. Has anyone changed their career from welding to something else?
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Originally Posted by docwelder

i'm about to go from welder to full time bird watcher and turtle catcher.
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Originally Posted by mikecwik

Why are you unhappy with what you do and where you work?Every time the ups guy comes in our building I think f I would hate doing what he does. I wonder if he envies my position or says the same thing.
Reply:About fifteen years into my welding career, my doctor told me I needed to find another line of work, because my right bicep tendon was coming loose from my forearm!I didn't own a computer, at the time, and didn't know how to turn one on, but I did see that there were a lot of possibilities there.I was 50 years old at that time.I went to a "School" that offered a six week, self-paced course on mostly the Microsoft Office suite.I gravitated toward Access and Excel, because they appealed to the part of me that likes logical reasoning, problem-solving, and building something - much the same reasons that laying out, fitting, and welding up a pressure vessel appealed to me.As a welder, I really got satisfaction in completing a big pressure vessel, watching it be stood up, tied in to the existing processes, and fired up.As a Database and Report developer, I enjoyed building the database, listening to the users' needs, and creating reports that helped them do their jobs in a more efficient manner.My first year I took a pretty big cut, probably from about 40k to 32k. My second job got me back to 40k, and my third job got me to 74, and so on.My first two years, I consider my 'education years', since I do not have a degree of any sort.Right now, if I were to go back to the database reporting stuff, the market value is between 80 and 90, for someone with my limited schooling.Hobart Beta-Mig 2511972 Miller AEAD-200LEMiller 250 TwinNorthern Ind. Hybrid 200Longevity Stick 140Longevity Migweld 200SThermal Arc Pak 3XR
Reply:Find something you enjoy.  Life is too short to hate going to work.
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Originally Posted by geezerbill

About fifteen years into my welding career, my doctor told me I needed to find another line of work, because my right bicep tendon was coming loose from my forearm!I didn't own a computer, at the time, and didn't know how to turn one on, but I did see that there were a lot of possibilities there.I was 50 years old at that time.I went to a "School" that offered a six week, self-paced course on mostly the Microsoft Office suite.I gravitated toward Access and Excel, because they appealed to the part of me that likes logical reasoning, problem-solving, and building something - much the same reasons that laying out, fitting, and welding up a pressure vessel appealed to me.As a welder, I really got satisfaction in completing a big pressure vessel, watching it be stood up, tied in to the existing processes, and fired up.As a Database and Report developer, I enjoyed building the database, listening to the users' needs, and creating reports that helped them do their jobs in a more efficient manner.My first year I took a pretty big cut, probably from about 40k to 32k. My second job got me back to 40k, and my third job got me to 74, and so on.My first two years, I consider my 'education years', since I do not have a degree of any sort.Right now, if I were to go back to the database reporting stuff, the market value is between 80 and 90, for someone with my limited schooling.
Reply:Ive worked as a weldor in two places my whole career (Im 58 btw), 14± years the first place and 26 with DOT in the welding shop. A year ago I applied for a position at work (NSDOT) as equipment coordinator which I got. I miss welding a lot, well not so much the welding part but the fabrication and problem solving I miss. My new job has a whole new bunch of challenges and problems which I like as well, long story short, if youre not happy doing what youre doing, look around and try something different....MIke
Reply:I went to Vo-tech for the last two years of high school and welded/fabricated for eight. I put myself through school for Computer and Electronics Technology and graduated with an associates in 99'. Scored a job with a large communications outfit and they put me through school for my bachelors, which is in Internetworking Technology. I cannot complain about the path that I chose, (well I could, but it wouldn't help!), as it has allowed me to cut out a meager life, do what I LIKE to do on the side (hands on stuff) and it has put me on the right side of the Internet divide (ie.. I don't need my kids to program my VCR).Would I recommend this to anybody and everybody?.. and at this point in time??.. In this economy? Hell no. With every online college and their brother out there racking up the student loan debt bubble to over 2 trillion dollars, they are trying to lure about anybody and everybody to go to college these days with their snazzy visions of a "better life", when in all actuality it could just as well end up with the same old life, but more debt. It's a tough market out there for a lot of industries. Whatever you do, my recommendation is to NOT incur debt unless you know there is a payoff in the end.It all boils down to what kind of life that you want to live. Whatever you want is possible, there will be a cost to get there though.To be honest, I still haven't figured out what I want to be when I grow up. What did you have in mind for an alternate career field?-Niche
Reply:Keep in mind though.. Our country is in a debt pickle right now and the only way out of it is war, a step up in our manufacturing base, or both! Our fiat currency is debt based and the big holders of our treasuries worldwide are starting to sell back.Welding/Fabrication may see a resurgence once/if we get through the scenario that we are in.-Niche

Originally Posted by DanRT

I have thought about getting into some kind of state job like the USPS, but I'm not sure if that will be exciting enough. The pay and benefits are good at least.
Reply:If you really enjoy welding, maybe a job shop that takes on different projects day to day / week to week would keep your interest piqued.Otherwise..Here's one for ya.. If "I" were in your shoes, and I reeeeeally wanted to change careers, I would:#1) Figure out what you think you want to do when you grow up.. hard, I know..#2) get on with a company that does this type of work AND pays for tuition assistance (even if it means mail room, janitor, or some other lowly job).#2) Being that what you want to do when you grow up coincides with said company's primary business, they are typically not objectionable in sponsoring your degree.County and state fed employment typically have pretty nice tuition assistance packages. Go to your county's website along with surrounding county websites and check their employment pages. Check out USAJOBS for fed jobs in your area, Check out your states employment website as well. Lots of paths out there, just need to figure out which is the right path for you..Otherwise, find a job platform that can keep yer neck above water financially, but with a good tuition assistance plan in place. Use this job as a launching platform to get into doing what you "want" to do. Or, if you so happen to luck out and land a cushy job that has a cushy compensation/insurance plan, roll with it and do welding jobs on the side and also for yourself.-Niche
Reply:I'm in my third career. I was a medical office administrator, then a truck driver and now trying to get in welding. I knew at a young age I would never be in the same field for the rest of my life. I wanted to learn so many things and could never decide on one particular career. I'm not done yet and I hope I'll stick at welding for a few good years but if I end up just doing side jobs or as a hobby I'll be ok with that. I know I would really like to become a heavy equipment operator. I've been lucky, I worked my *** off for over a decade, made real good money and became debt free and remained that way so know I have the liberty to try new things.
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Originally Posted by FORTEALLOY

I'd question whether the USPS is a good choice. It used to be excellent, but lots of cutbacks recently. More and more people are switching from "snail mail" to electronic bills, payments, even magazines. About half of last years "Christmas Letters" came in the form of email too. The trend seems to be away from paper mailing. UPS is another story. Overheard most of the conversation between our driver and a friend who was apparently giving him a hard time. "You kidding me? I love this job. Seriously. I'm out on my own all day long, stay in good shape, and get to know half the town on a first name basis. Where else can I make 100K a year without a college degree? Benefits too. I'll do it until I retire!" Online shopping keeps increasing every year, and should continue. Agree strongly with some of the other thoughts here, whatever you do, plan ahead, make sure you have enough set aside to get through some initial lean periods. It needs to be challenging or interesting in the long term. Anything new would be fun for a while, but ask yourself if its something you'd look forward to doing 5-10 years from now. Good luck.
Reply:I tend not to focus on money. Would I have much interest in delivering mail or packages for ten million dollars a year. Hell no.Air quality in my shop is my major issue at the moment as well. The work can tend to be too. I love where i work and who I work for. There are things that are not right though.
Reply:I've been in the same job for over 30 years, but's its seldom the same job every day, which I suppose has made it liveable. After high school I spent one year in college and went painting cars for 4 years. At that point I decided it was time to start raising a family and came back to the farm. Wasn't much fun in those days with 28% interest on operating loans. Lots of established farmers around me were going broke and we talked about the state of agriculture by the suicide rates. It was a rough session but I got involved with a local conservation group as a volunteer board member. In the 90's we got involved with watershed research, and although I've never spent a day in University, I'm now listed as an information source on 5 different thesis with another 3 coming up. Since I got out of pigs 4 years ago I've spent more time with the project and it now supplements my income and helps with the household expenses. Most of my welding/fabricating has been farm related, but I'm working my way towards getting into old cars, hotrods and customs. At 57 people think I should be retiring instead of looking for new job opportunities, but I'm not done yet. Hell, I've spent a lot of my nights practicing to be a gynecologist, but I doubt I'll get paid for that either.    I guess I'm telling you the same thing everyone else is...if you aren't happy with what you are doing...change. You mention you like guns and cars and dealing with people. Maybe you should be selling guns or cars for your main income and working towards having your own fabricating shop on the side. Sometimes the move isn't going to make you more money, but as you get familiar with how things work, you figure out how to make it pay better. If you want change, then change something. Anything. Doing nothing isn't an option if you expect improvement.250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes
Reply:i have been welding for almost 8 years now for the same company. started in shop, after 4 years was offered an opportunity to move into piping, and have been doing that ever since but not all of it is welded.picked up a "helper" about 8 months ago, he started with me on a small steam job. last year i handed him a tig-torch and let him run. "qualified" him last week on open root stainless, and he's better than i am now.went out with him last night to celebrate his last week as a welder. he was picked up by the railroad and has a much better future in-store for him than he would have if he would have stuck with us. track labor.on our bar-hopping adventure, i ran into another guy i worked with back in my shop days. he claimed he hurt his back and it was a bit of an ugly ordeal. he grabs me by the shoulders and yells "IM A NURSE NOW!!" "IS IT HOT OUT YET? CAUSE MY BUILDING RUNS ABOUT 76 DEGREES SO I WOULDN'T KNOW!!!"welding is cool, but these guys did great things for themselves by leaving. i stay in it because i feel like i have to to keep dinner on the table, but it is illustrated daily that there are other things that may be better.bosses stuff:trailblazer 325maxstar 200my stuff:sa 200fronius transpocket 180100 amp Lincoln w/f97 f350 DITKevin
Reply:The air quality in the shop where I work sucks, but my boss or anyone else doesn't seem to care or be bothered by it besides me and I don't understand why. I always wear a 3M 7500 respirator with 2297 filters that I changed once a week and lately my chest has been bothering me a bit and I fear that it's the start of something bad, like cancer. The majority of welding I do is stainless steel and once in a while I mig some carbon steel. I don't know if the filters aren't good for the amount of stainless I do or that I still can't get the respirator to fit properly. The filters maintain an acetone smell for 30 minutes to an hour or so after just one short use with the respirator on. I don't think that should be happening either. If I can't solve my breathing problem I may have to get away from welding all together and I don't want to do that if I can help it. I don't know why the respirator has a oblong shaped hole inside on the bottom part that contacts where my mouth goes. I don't know if that is the cause of leaks. Anyway, can I make a living off of selling guns for someone? I don't know if I want to be a car salesman. I have thought about using my Communications degree to try to get a marketing job since that is kind of what I originally went to school for until I had a job after I graduated that made me sour about that kind of work.
Reply:Anyone else have input or a response to my last post?
Reply:I would possibly stay in the welding field if I could find out a solution to my troubles with breathing in fumes and dust even with a respirator. I always cough and feel congested, but never short of breath as far as I can tell. I don't know why my respirator doesn't really seem to work like it should. I have the medium sized 7500 series 3M half face respirator with 3M 2297 filters that I change every damn week. I don't know if I don't have the right filters for welding stainless, which I weld a lot of, it isn't fitting correctly because it's either the wrong size, fitted wrong, or other. It does have that oddly placed hole at the bottom where my chin touches and I think maybe that is causing it to leak. I just don't know!
Reply:My young one started out going to community college for welding.  Got a job TIG welding (reconditioning) gas generator turbine blades for a major company before he even finished his TIG course.  The kid can weld. But after 3 months of running little beads with Inconel and Hastelloy and shop floor politics he left (young kid).  Went on with machining courses and now he's getting his AS degree.  Worked for one machine shop for about 6 months and starts a new job this coming Monday.  Only $38K, but it's a start and he thrives on precision machining. Manual, Haas or Mazatrol conversational or G-code programming, whatever.  Has some experience with MasterCAM as well. All this gives him the challenge he seems to need to stay interested."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:though exposure limits and respirators can be in place to make welding "not dangerous," i doubt you could find one knowledgeable person who could call it safe.ever talk to a painter? to me, they are all weird and crazy. i have heard the same thing said about welders from all other trades. . . .including paintersbut, have i noticed any effects in my 8 years? no, i was weird to start with, and probably crazier then. my constant phlegm and sinus issues i blame on the nasty valley air i breath. . . . .its not a terrible trade, and i have heard painters say the same thingbosses stuff:trailblazer 325maxstar 200my stuff:sa 200fronius transpocket 180100 amp Lincoln w/f97 f350 DITKevin
Reply:Call 3M and ask to talk to an industrial hygiene specialist, they should be able to offer advice on your problem. The place that i worked in the past had a staff of industrial hygiene specialist and techs. They took care of testing and fitting of respirators and monitoring exposure the chemicals. Most welders do not wear any respiratory protection unless they are in a confined space.  It is tough at some places to change things, as you may be opening up a can of worms. Yes cancer is always a concern when exposed to fumes. Every job has its dangers, it just which danger you are willing to live with and which job will keep you challenged and interested. As a young man you could be a gynecologist and see what every man is chasing, but you also see what every man does not want to catch. Yes life is full of choices.
Reply:I know it is expensive but have you thought about buying a Papr welding helmet? My Speedglas 9100 FX XX adflo is by far my favorite helmet. Welding stainless or nickel alloys gives me this weird sensation on my mouth and the grinding dust from them gives me a sore throat. No problem with the adflo.
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Originally Posted by taz00

I know it is expensive but have you thought about buying a Papr welding helmet? My Speedglas 9100 FX XX adflo is by far my favorite helmet. Welding stainless or nickel alloys gives me this weird sensation on my mouth and the grinding dust from them gives me a sore throat. No problem with the adflo.
Reply:I have thought about buying a PAPR, but the price is just not something I can afford right now. I bought a large sized 3M 7500 series respirator and it seems like the grinding dust and fumes don't affect me as much, but whatever coughing, congestion, or phlegm I have might still have a little to do with the fumes, but more so from previous exposure. For the last 3 weeks I have had this dull chest pain, which has me worried. It's making me feel down and not very energetic, but I've been experiencing what I think is something due to anxiety or not sleeping well for years, which who knows what that is caused by. I can't see a doctor until I get my new healthcare card with my new PCP on it. I hope to figure this all out very soon and continue my search to find a career outside of welding. I just can't and don't want to do it everyday anymore. My major problem is figuring out what that something else is. If I knew I wouldn't be figuratively ramming my head against the wall every damn day.
Reply:

Originally Posted by DanRT

I have thought about buying a PAPR, but the price is just not something I can afford right now. I bought a large sized 3M 7500 series respirator and it seems like the grinding dust and fumes don't affect me as much, but whatever coughing, congestion, or phlegm I have might still have a little to do with the fumes, but more so from previous exposure. For the last 3 weeks I have had this dull chest pain, which has me worried. It's making me feel down and not very energetic, but I've been experiencing what I think is something due to anxiety or not sleeping well for years, which who knows what that is caused by. I can't see a doctor until I get my new healthcare card with my new PCP on it. I hope to figure this all out very soon and continue my search to find a career outside of welding. I just can't and don't want to do it everyday anymore. My major problem is figuring out what that something else is. If I knew I wouldn't be figuratively ramming my head against the wall every damn day.
Reply:My situation was similar to yours and here is how I did it.  Was a shop welder for two years and hated it.  Found a job at the gas utility and liked the work but advancement limited since no one ever quit and most of the guys were my age.  Decided at age 31 to become an airline pilot.  Went to school, got the ratings and eventually was a captain for a commuter airline with super low pay and crappy bennies.  The job did gove me lots of free time though and I got a part time job with an HVAC company.  I eventually got my contractor license and partnered with my former boss.  Life was good.Got a call from a former contact in 2001 wanting me to head up a corporate flight department.  Pay was six figures, great life and bennies.  Company sold in 2012 and lost my job.  I lost about $100k/ year in pay and have had to start over again flying as a first officer at 55.  I make up the lost money my doing AC service and repair and also do portable and tig welding.  The best I can recommend is do what you like.  Even though I lived my first five years in aviation in absolute poverty, and now struggle financially, I like going to work and believe another good paying flight job will come up.  Learning something like HVAC that cannot be outsourced where you need some intelligence is also good as you can fall back on it if needed.Miller 350 DynastyMiller TrailblazerMiller 625 Plasma Lincoln Power MIGVictor oxy/acetyleneHyperthem 85
Reply:I forgot about this thread for a while, but since I last posted I closed on my house a few weeks ago, I got a chest x-ray done and I have been continuing my search for a new career. My chest x-ray came back normal, but I still don't understand my intermittent chest pain, although maybe it's stress related. I still always feel kind of mucus-y and sometimes have a dry cough. Everyone seems to say that the 2297 3M filters I use with my respirator should cover me with stainless and everything, but they don't even shield me from the smell of acetone. I just don't get it and it's extremely frustrating. I'm still struggling to figure out a new career. I was thinking of trying to get into Du Pont since a family friend told me they are hiring for all kinds of positions. I am going to apply to my local municipality for something not outside and apply to a local glass installer/supplier.Thanks for sharing your story BluCllrPlt, but my major obstacle is figuring out what will make me the money I need and that I will enjoy going to everyday. I have no problem with working overtime if I enjoy the job. As I always say I'm seriously lost, with the exception of the few ideas I managed to dig up.
Reply:Not much progress with figuring out what I want to do with my life other than welding. I need to do something soon before I kill off my savings from owning my house. While I sometimes think buying a house while working a job I hate going to every day was a mistake, it did however make my living situation better. My parents are very supportive, but I needed to get out of their house since I turned 30 back in February. I don't find happiness or satisfaction from building Pharma stuff for my boss. I am often frustrated and bored at work, while constantly thinking about stuff I would rather be building. I would love to have more interaction with people, but nothing where I'm stranded at a desk. I'd like to help people in some way. I'm tired of sitting at a table welding parts, while being micromanaged and watching the time crawl by. I would really like to have a business of my own, but I'm not sure what. I'm really trying to find my happy place because I am not happy with my career or where it is taking me.
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Originally Posted by DanRT

Not much progress with figuring out what I want to do with my life other than welding. I need to do something soon before I kill off my savings from owning my house. While I sometimes think buying a house while working a job I hate going to every day was a mistake, it did however make my living situation better. My parents are very supportive, but I needed to get out of their house since I turned 30 back in February. I don't find happiness or satisfaction from building Pharma stuff for my boss. I am often frustrated and bored at work, while constantly thinking about stuff I would rather be building. I would love to have more interaction with people, but nothing where I'm stranded at a desk. I'd like to help people in some way. I'm tired of sitting at a table welding parts, while being micromanaged and watching the time crawl by. I would really like to have a business of my own, but I'm not sure what. I'm really trying to find my happy place because I am not happy with my career or where it is taking me.
Reply:They are supportive, but I bought a house a few months ago. I felt that moving out was a necessary step towards happiness. I do hate my job. A lot of it is pay and who I work for. I don't feel appreciated, but in general he is not a good guy to work for. My job has made my life more negative and that is not really who I am.
Reply:Well since you want a change but can't figure out what you want to do other than welding might I suggest you continue to weld but for a different company. Possibly something not stainless steel.My "collection":Homemade Stick WelderVictor O/A TorchAC 225Ideal Arc 250HF 90 Amp Flux CoreHF Mig 170Solar 2020 Plasma CutterPower i-Mig 140EHarris O/A torchHF Dual Mig 131140STAlpha Tig 200x
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Originally Posted by DanRT

They are supportive, but I bought a house a few months ago. I felt that moving out was a necessary step towards happiness. I do hate my job. A lot of it is pay and who I work for. I don't feel appreciated, but in general he is not a good guy to work for. My job has made my life more negative and that is not really who I am.
Reply:Hmmmm.....I have to ask, is there any other job besides being a welder.......seems all the advice given is to get a welding job.Before I finally retired I did a part time welding job, mornings only, with a guy who is now my best friend.....I'm a fitter and turner by trade and have been since 1958 when I started my apprenticeship.........do I like engineering?.......can't get enough of and now at 77 still have a collection of machinery in the garage to keep me busy.Why did I take up part time welding?.....well, he needed someone for a few hours a week to give him a hand and after being retrenched at age 60 meant looking for a fill in job before finally retiring permanently at 65.Social benefits requirements meant I had to actively look for work........nobody wants you at 60, you're considered too out of it and slow,  so hence the fall back to what was available, and the part time job was the best thing I did for the final run up to the winning post as it eventuated from a few hours a week to 5 days at 5 hours a day and paid more than the social benefits pay out.Most of the work was 30% welding and the rest machining that which was welded, so I enjoyed the work.I forgot to mention that the last 17 years before retrenchment was spent in the engineering drawing office doing production planning and data entry, so being out of it or off the bench for 17 years was a real problem for the final job hunt.Ian.