Welding 101

[MasseyWV]

I know this is like lighting a match in a gasoline factory but I just can't help but ask... When exactly does one "become" a welder?

BTW: I am learning to weld (the hard way).

 

[ultrarunner]

Some would say when you are certified...

 

[MJPetersen]

When you are certified--but more broadly, when you are paid to be so. I escape the problem by saying that I am NOT a welder, but I can weld.

Mike

 

[ray66v]

In my opinion your a welder, when you can be confident, (not hopeful), your welding job will not fail. Experience is they only avenue to this level.

I have worked with people who were paid to weld, whom were not welders. (see above).

Even being certified, does not guarantee a welder. Junior welders can sometimes pass the test, but, fail in the field. It is not that unusual to see people sent home from field welding jobs, who passed the test.

 

[Soundguy]

3 good answers... certification, being paind for it, AND doing a good job of it.

that said.. I OWN a welder..

soundguy

 

[shvl73]

I OWN a welder..

soundguy

I own 2! I am most definitely not a welder! If you saw anything I stuck together, you'd agree!
I've looked for some night course, to learn but, haven't seen one in my area.

 

[Soundguy]

I actually own a little 30/70A CH stick welder.. ( good for sheet metal.. uses 1/16 and 5/64 rods )... I also own a hobart stickmate xl235AC.. big beefy AC welder.

My welds aren't real pretty.. but they hold together..

soundguy

 

[mred]

Seems to me there are many certifications. I grew up around welders mostly boiler welding in power plants. Certifications vary depending on what you are doing. I would agree a welder is a person who can pass the certification for their particular trade. Most of the welders I know can pick up TIG, MIG, Stick, or torch in any position (pipe too) on most materials and make it look easy. If you were to have the weld tested it would pass, period. That to me is a welder. If I want to play I use one of my two welding machines. If I want something done right I take it to someone who welds every day or is retired from welding every day.

 

[excelagator]

I read alot for my personal endeavors at home. I think I have learned alot and there is still alot to learn. I read books, Miller's Lincoln's and weldingweb.com and listen to exp. welder's when they give advice. I think to become a good weldor is to get your hands on as much information as you can.

I have been welding implements lately. I figured at real low speeds and given the load and they break really no harm no foul! I think if you can weld implements up, use them and they don't break. You are on a good start.

I build custom doors from aluminum at work. I weld some on doors and sometimes equipment at work. I am not cert. weldor, but then again my work would not pay a cert. welder's pay! Ironically I took a welding 101 class for myself, but got thrusted into welding at work.

If you think at you can't teach yourself think of this. I started airbrushing in 91 RC car bodies. I really had no info on what I was doing, besides just doing it. 96 I won 1st and 2nd at a national event for airbrushing. A few years later I took a formal class an the instructor was amazed that I used the type airbrush and was able to do the paint jobs. Just remember...............................................

You Can Do It!!!!!

 

[srjones]

My definition?

When you're confident enough to do your own work and when people start asking you (paid or not) to weld stuff. Other descriptors such as "experienced" or "certified" or "professional" may not necessarily apply. (they don't in my case)

-Steve

 

[ray66v]

My definition?

When you're confident enough to do your own work and when people start asking you (paid or not) to weld stuff. Other descriptors such as "experienced" or "certified" or "professional" may not necessarily apply. (they don't in my case)

-Steve

Amen. You can go to you neighborhood vocational welding school and get "certified." Then, go get a job, you will quickly find out you have only begun to learn to weld.

 

[Blksim]

I know this is like lighting a match in a gasoline factory but I just can't help but ask... When exactly does one "become" a welder?

BTW: I am learning to weld (the hard way).

When you're 350 miles from home to the test booth on a nuke, two (2) babies at home needing milk, three months behind on the house payment, 1/4 tank of gas in the car and fifty (50) dollars in your pocket and you can pull a ring on a six inch extra heavy and it passes the test, you might be a welder, or maybe just lucky this time.

fitz

 

[GaryE]

I know this is like lighting a match in a gasoline factory but I just can't help but ask... When exactly does one "become" a welder?

BTW: I am learning to weld (the hard way).

I have to agree with your gasoline analogy!


Why not let a professional tell you? Find a class with your local adult ed. or maybe one of your community colleges. Let them decide... or better yet, let them help you become a "welder."


Just my $0.02

 

[ray66v]

When you're 350 miles from home to the test booth on a nuke, two (2) babies at home needing milk, three months behind on the house payment, 1/4 tank of gas in the car and fifty (50) dollars in your pocket and you can pull a ring on a six inch extra heavy and it passes the test, you might be a welder, or maybe just lucky this time.

fitz

You sound just like a good friend of mine, who just retired from the business. (He had 3 babies).

 

[srjones]

The definitive list from Miller...

Miller - You Know You're a Welder When... - View All Submissions

In the humor, there's a grain of truth. Some of my favorites...

"...your the only house on the block with flowers made from scrap metal."

"...when you first heard of red states and blue states, you thought is was determined by the brand of welder MOST preferred"

"...cooking bacon reminds you of maintaining an appropriate arc length."

"...You use 7018 for your bank card pin number ."

"...you would rather build it, than buy it."

"......when you use 4th of July sparklers as a training tool for your kids."

and...I've personally done this:

"...you replace screws with welds."

 

[Danno1]

.

I like: "you nod your head when someone takes your picture"

oh and: "you wire your bathroom for 220, just in case"

.

 

[AlanB]

Now "that" was funny

I don't know what makes you a "weldor"

But I sure did love some of the comments in that other site. What was terrible was I could identify with a few too many of them.

I guess at our house the quote would be

"why do you need ANOTHER welder, you already have too many"

 

[dirt clod]

Now I know what the last owners of my rental home was. The 220v welder plug mounted in the living room must have meant they was welders.

 

[MasseyWV]

In my opinion your a welder, when you can be confident, (not hopeful), your welding job will not fail. Experience is they only avenue to this level.

I have worked with people who were paid to weld, whom were not welders. (see above).

Even being certified, does not guarantee a welder. Junior welders can sometimes pass the test, but, fail in the field. It is not that unusual to see people sent home from field welding jobs, who passed the test.

This is my favorite answer because while I am definitely not a welder, I do believe that experience is the best teacher. For me, welding is not likely to be much more than a hobby, but I think it is nice to be able to make my own repairs or "build it myself" without having to pay someone else to do it for me. I just prefer to "do it" myself, regardless of what "it" happens to be.

When I originally asked my question, I thought it would be fun to see what kind of responses I got but have to comment on the responses that said "Being certified or paid to weld" and equate it to people being licensed to drive. How many "licensed" drivers are there on the road today who probably shouldn't be driving? Same thing applies to being "certified" or "paid" to weld, or to do anything else.

Personally, I like to be self-sufficient by knowing how to do a variety of things (welding, etc...) myself but when I see people who have not even picked up a screwdriver in their life, I think it is a sad thing to see.

 

[Matt_Jr]

This is my favorite answer because while I am definitely not a welder, I do believe that experience is the best teacher. For me, welding is not likely to be much more than a hobby, but I think it is nice to be able to make my own repairs or "build it myself" without having to pay someone else to do it for me. I just prefer to "do it" myself, regardless of what "it" happens to be.

When I originally asked my question, I thought it would be fun to see what kind of responses I got but have to comment on the responses that said "Being certified or paid to weld" and equate it to people being licensed to drive. How many "licensed" drivers are there on the road today who probably shouldn't be driving? Same thing applies to being "certified" or "paid" to weld, or to do anything else.

Personally, I like to be self-sufficient by knowing how to do a variety of things (welding, etc...) myself but when I see people who have not even picked up a screwdriver in their life, I think it is a sad thing to see.

Well said