All good comments. I too, have seen "certified" welders sent home from the job. I've been welding for almost 50 years now, taught welding while in the Army, and for Central Texas College (overseas), owned and operated a portable welding and fabricating business here in PA for the last 21 years. At times I'd have multiple rigs/people on large jobs. Mostly, I was a one man operation. I once hired a guy who was exceptional within a fabrication plant environment, reading blueprints, getting the job done, etc. But, was extremely weak when I'd send him on the road to repair a piece of machinery. Since most of my welding was repairs "in the field", I had to let him go.
As stated, I've been welding for 50 years. I'm still learning. With all the new technology, one will never cease to learn, anything. Ever seen a "Water Jet" cut steel? Nicest, smoothest cutting you'll ever see.
One poster asked about the term
Weldor. According to the Welding Encyclopedia a
Welder is a machine used in welding operations, and a
Weldor is one who performs welding operations. Now you know.
Actually, I guess the original question is hypothetical. "When does one become a welder?" Depends on who's giving the answer.
