Everyday metal is being used to create new buildings, pipelines, cars, custom fabrication, and even submarines. Welding is used to bond the metal used in these everyday applications. I chose that I would become a welder because I love to work with my hands and there is something about the whole process of welding and melting metal together to make a finished product that gives me satisfaction. This is a trade and a skill that will be around until there is no metal left on this earth. There are “404,800” jobs out there for this profession and it is growing by “6%” each year (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Welders are in high demand because all of the experienced tradesman are growing old and not many people are taking the path of learning a trade these days. Also welding can be a very well paying career. The highest ten percent of welders get paid more than …show more content…
First is being detail oriented. “Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers perform precision work, often with straight edges and minimal flaws. The ability to see details and characteristics of the joint and detect changes in molten metal flows requires good eyesight and attention to detail”(BLS.gov). Secondly is having manual dexterity. “Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers must have a steady hand to hold a torch in one place. Workers must also have good hand–eye coordination”(BLS.gov). Next is having physical stamina. “The ability to endure long periods of standing and repetitive movements is important for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers”(BLS.gov). Also having spatial-orientation skills. “Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers must read, understand, and interpret two- and three-dimensional diagrams in order to fit metal products correctly”(BLS.gov). Lastly is technical skills. “Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers must operate manual or semiautomatic welding equipment to fuse metal
I take some high school classes to know what I need to wear and to do before I start welding. On one of the websites I got reseach from it said that I will need training before entering this career path. A welder in Texas says that you can start at the bottom as a welder’s helper and make money while you learn and have an opportunity to learn from those who are making a living at it. The reason why you need training is so when you go on a job you don’t hurt someone or even hurt yourself.
If you want to be a welder, and actually have a career, you can go to a welding school and learn how to weld, or you can try to be a welders helper and just learn the trade. Welding can be a tough job if you don’t know what you are doing or you do not enjoy doing it. Welding is a fabrication or sculptural process that joins materials together (Modern Welding). This is the process that uses fuel gases and oxygen to make a molten pool of metal to fuse together two pieces of metal, called puddeling (oxy-fuel welding and cutting. Wikipedia). If you decide to weld as your profession, most welding school students have little trouble finding jobs and finding people certified to weld correctly (Welding.Wikipedia).
“We do it right the first time”(plumbers and pipefitters local 653). That is the quote that pipefitting unions across the U.S. uses. Steamfitters assemble,repair,and instal pipelines that carry water,compressed air,gases,liquids,and steam that is required for processing manufacturing,cooling,and heating. They join two or more metal pieces by applying heat to them with filler metal which melts and fuses them, creating a strong bond between them when the metal parts cooldown. Becoming a steamfitter/welder is a excellent choice for someone that wants great earning potential,excellent employment opportunities,and provides for outdoor work.
To begin with, Study.com tells that the lowest level of education required is a high school diploma or equivalent. Many employers may require an employer- based welding test. Some employers look for a certificate or undergraduate degree from a technical school (Study.com). Next, it is important to note where training is available. WATC.edu states, that they offer a welding program. WATC is located in Wichita Kansas. Their welding program allows students to gain knowledge and skills in cutting, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, and provides some exposure to oxy-acetylene cutting and welding (WATC.edu). In addition, the length and cost of the training is an important consideration. WATC.edu shares, that there are 5 different degree and certificate options. The one I would be interested in is the Welding Technical Certificate option. This one would be a total of 46 credit hours and would cost a total of $10,524. Finally, this job requires certain traits, talents and interests. The Occupational Handbook adds, that welders often must work in awkward positions using tools, so they need to be able to put up with that. A lot of times, overtime will be present. So you would have to be available for overtime if needed. Welders are required to lift heavy objects sometimes. So a welder should be fairly strong (The OCO). I think that being a welder would be hard work. I feel that I would be able to work hard enough to be a welder. I now know what traits a person should have, in order to be a welder. In summary, there are educational and personal qualifications to consider if I want to become a
To start in the trade of welding one must have a high school diploma, but some schools offer welding basics while students are still in high school (“Welders and Welding Technicians”964). After high school people find out welding is one of the few jobs where you do not need any kind of permit or a college education, one can start by passing a weld test (Frazier, Patrick). Though most people did not grow up welding, many do learn from a community college technical institutes, trade schools, or the armed forces (“Welders”175). Many jobs will require you to pass an on-site test if you were to work on any kind of aircraft bridges, boilers, or pipelines (“Welders”176). You will have to learn to weld in tight places and awkward angles, and be in extreme heat or cold (“Job Outlook for Welders”). From there, one can weld as long as they want until they desire their own shop. Though having a welding business, they should have a certification in their name even if it is just a small
A solid foundation and understanding of welding and principles is beneficial but is not needed as on the job training is common. A high school diploma with experience is usually all that is required to get a job as a welder along with being able to pass a welding qualification test. However experience and technical/welding school instruction is a major advantage when it comes to employment. Sometimes an employer will pay for the cost of training and or certifications. Taking courses in shop mathematics, metallurgy, blueprint reading and mechanical drawing offer a welder a better understanding of the principles applied when welding and a more rounded skill set. Robotic welding and computer controlled welding machines are growing so it helps to have knowledge on programming these as this would open a huge path for any person looking into welding as a
To paraphrase Alexander Pope, “True ease in welding comes from art, not chance, as those move easiest who have learned to work the puddle.” The puddle is what forms when I first start a weld; however, working the puddle means controlling the weld puddle to form a consistent weld. I think college will not truly teach me how to work the puddle and will not give me the experience I want. I think technical school will truly teach me how to work the puddle and give me the best experience for the welding industry. I think college’s cost, length, job outlook, and social experience is worse versus technical school’s cost, length, job outlook, and social experience. Technical school will ease me into the welding industry with the learning of a true
...needs to be done. The amount of welders employed is slowly increasing and the demand is still high. The availability of training and how it can help is valuable. A welders salary will most always be on the rise and is a great paying job in any part of the field.
The time required to become a certified welder is approximately a third of the amount of time it takes to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. This is one of the reasons I am considering welding
Pipe welding is a career that does not require any college education but keep in mind this type of work is definitely no walk in the park. Pipeline rigs are typically located in rural areas, so pipeline welders often have to travel to reach the work site (Browne). Pipe welders are required to work through all types of weather in regard to the season and where you are stationed (Browne) To Begin pipe welding one usually must pass a welding exam and safety test for proper certification (Dye). In my opinion pipe welding can be an extremely discomforting occupation, because they normally spend long periods of time away from families; often several months at a time. One big factor that plays a role on this key point is the different fumes that can be inhaled. Between a combination of welding fumes such as argon, carbon, tungsten, and when welding stainless steel I may also have to worry about chromium. All of these different fumes can cause many health problems later down the road such as lung problems (AFSCME). We have been living in a generation with retired welders in their 50’s and 60’s who have an extremely high increase in medical problems due to their careers as welders (BOC). “Sometimes one may receive specific warnings after breathing or inhaling different fumes. For instance if enough zinc fumes are inhaled expect to experience metal fume fever; symptoms may include night sweats, chills, and stomach pains”
To begin with a welder uses equipment to apply heat to metal in order to create a permanent bond. In doing so, they weld metal parts, fill holes, and can even repair cracks in a brace. Because of its heavy duty strength, welds can be used to repair cars, ships, and even airplanes. Also, welds are used in the construction of buildings and bridges. Various tools are needed to perform proper welding techniques, for example, a person may need clamps, welding rods, a chipping hammer, a torch, glasses, a welding helmet, an apron or non flammable clothing to properly weld metal. In addition, a person may also need a specific type of welder for a certain occasions. For example if a person wants to weld aluminum a mig welder would be used along with argon and helium gases. Safety is always important for the welder. Welders are exposed to a variety of environments and situations that put their safety in jeopardy. They are at risk for cuts, bites, stings, and burns since they work outdoors. They are also exposed to gases, dust, fumes, and foul odors due to working in poorly ventilated areas. It is ev...
There is some basic equipment that is needed while welding. First and foremost, a welding mask is needed to protect the eyes from the extremely bright light created by the arc. UV light can also come from arcs, so eye protection is needed for this as well. Another necessary piece of safety equipment is gloves. A thick protective specially designed welding glove is used for the hand that is holding the torch, and a thinner glove is optional for the hand that isn’t on the torch as well. Heavy cotton clothing, especially long sleeves and jeans, is necessary as well. The long sleeves and pants will protect the skin from the extremely hot spatter than can fly off everywhere when welding. Leather is preferred if doing a lot of welding at one time.
There is different types of rods and different types of ways to weld. You need a lot of training for it. There are many schools and colleges you can go to receive welding education. The most common welding processes are Gas Metal Arc Welding, Flux Core Arc Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding and Shielded Metal Arc Welding. The easiest of these is the Gas Metal Arc Welding. Welding options are stick, flux core, tig, and mig. The pipeline tig and stick welds a lot more than the other .The pipeline use many types of techniques but, the most common on the pipeline is downhill root pass and the up hill pass. The median annual wage of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is
Welding is an art, science, and high paying career all in one. Welding is the most effective way to join two pieces of metal, it is the only way to join them so they act as one. Numerous things in our daily lives has been welded from coffeepots to skyscrapers. Welding can be done almost anywhere outdoors, indoors, underwater, and even space (“Welding Basics”). It is practically
The aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid afor M.I.G is something anyone can learn easily, it’s inexpensive to afford. 110v machines don't bring out the best power to weld, because these machines do not have a good duty cycle. Most people prefer 220v machines because they produce more work, even if they are more expensive. GMAW is the cheapest, most reliable process for welding. T.I.G. (Tungsten Inert Gas) is a challenging process to learn.