Welding the Way

My adventure to become a career welder.

[welding-the-way]

You can tell I haven’t touched a welder in 7 months, but I have the spirit! Shout out to my brother for letting me in the shop.

#rusty #welding #practice #tigwelding #gtaw (at Plano, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_IkrcpDOEX/?igshid=r31njmjgekd1

[weldingtheway]

How long have you been welding? I started welding school in September. Working on SMAW right now. I’m really enjoying it. I’ve no idea where I plan to take what I learn just yet, but it’s dope seeing the things you’ve posted.

Thank you for the compliment!

I've been welding for about three and a half years, give or take a few months. I didn't know where I wanted to take what I was learning a few months in either, you'll figure that out with more time and practice. I'm glad you're enjoying SMAW, hopefully you like the other processes as well. Best of luck in school!

[weldingtheway]

Hey! My boyfriend is interested in welding and I remember there was a post flying around about some info on how to get started. Do you have any tips or advice on how to get started in the field? Thanks so much!! 💜

There are several ways your boyfriend could go about it. First, he should figure out his goals: goes he want to get a job right away or go to school/get training first? How much training does he want? What kind of welding does he want to do?

If he is unsure about what type of welding he is interested in, he should research the various processes. The most common are MIG, TIG, and stick (GMAW, GTAW, and SMAW, respectively). If he wants to try all of them out or just isn't sure, welding school is a good start. The school I went to offered classes in those processes and a few more. I learned which processes I liked and built up enough skills to be able to get a job. Many community colleges offer welding classes. There are also schools that specialize in welding. Both routes are effective.

If he already knows which process(es) he wants to do, he can either pursue a certification in that process or try to find an entry level job that will train him.

Certifications can be obtained in several ways: they can be earned in school, through an employer, or a test can be set up at an AWS (American Welding Society) facility. The AWS is usually the governing body for welding in the United States; if your boyfriend is located elsewhere, the certification process may differ.

Blueprint reading is a very valuable skill to have as a welder, no matter the process or field. Blueprint reading is often part of the curriculum in school but if your boyfriend wants to try to jump right into an entry level job, learning to read blueprints beforehand will give him a leg up.

Best of luck to him!

[weldingtheway]

I think you are inspirational, the only thing I’m waiting for is a pole fitness video of you stripping out of your welding uniform. That would literally be the video of the year 👌 I wish I were half as cute as you 😂😍

That is a fun idea! 😀 thank you for your kind words

[weldingtheway]

Yo I’m just about finished with attending my 900 hour/seven month welding school and your comics and posts give me life dude. You’re fuckin rad! Thanks!

Hey, glad my shitty comics are giving you life in the stress. Best of luck!

[weldingtheway]

ey I'm getting my certs at Laney right now, cool to see another person in the (surprisingly but not surprisingly small considering the current welder shortage) weldblr community! your stuff looks like it's commin along, gettin those nice even roll of quarters kinda welds 👌👌👌

Hey, thank you! Best of luck to you!

[welding-the-way]

“You don’t look like a welder” and “you don’t look like a dancer” are two things I hear a lot. How about now?! I saw a #polefitness challenge from a few years ago that showed people doing daily activities on the pole. I thought doing something in #welding gear would be a fun juxtaposition. https://www.instagram.com/p/BsPFKcmDTtz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16jtuc6g8x9ca

[weldingtheway]

Romantic welders? Nahh

[weldingtheway]

I'm getting better at stainless!

[weldingtheway]

I welded some tubes to a flat plate today, and noticed my puddle and finished welds looked "crunchy". The puddle looked choppy, like the puddle was solidifying too fast in certain spots. I asked my supervisor about it because my machine was set up correctly. He informed me that the way the tube and plate were welded created a flair bevel groove weld. To correct the puddle, more heat should be applied so that the pocket of air deep in the bevel will be filled in. However, because the tube was thinner than the plate and the application required zero burn through on the inside of the tube, I couldn't get the weld hot enough to burn into the bottom.

[weldingtheway]

My co-workers are the best.

[weldingtheway]

I can't get a decent picture of my stainless welds. The colors don't translate and the material is all shiny and shit. But this weld was a pretty blue color and I'm getting better with uniformity, so go me.

[weldingtheway]

My Sentinel A50 was flipping shit and was flashing me as I was welding with low amperage. I cleaned the sensors, cleaned out the battery cartridge and replaced the batteries, but it kept spazzing. My boss guessed something with the sensor got crossed. My boss took me to the local welding supply shop and bought me a brand new helmet. The first one was mine, but I really appreciated that the company I work for didn't just give me one of the battered old helmets lying around to use.

[weldingtheway]

Around the bend..

[weldingtheway]

One of my coworkers likes to have me work with him now and then so I can keep learning. The dude has certs out the ass, has done pipe welding, ship welding, and aerospace, and plenty in between. I hope I'll be half the welder he is. I'm honestly so grateful to work with someone who gives a shit about the next generation of welders and doesn't have a stick up his ass.

Here's to the old guys helping the new guys, because that's something I appreciate in my field.

[weldingtheway]

My welds were getting hotter and more washed out on the bottom of this part because the welds on the sides would get the part nice and toasty. I learned pretty quick to let the sides cool before doing the bottom.

[weldingtheway]

Eyyy, I actually get to weld these suckers. Thin stainless so tiny autogenous welds, all along the seams. My camera isn't great but the weld was a pretty blue, not as gray as it looks here.