Being unsatisfied w/ my current employement, I have realized that it is time time for my self to find a more career oriented job, that I also enjoy. And can pay my bills plus support my addiction to modifying vehichles. . . so on and so forth, So i began my research and found some welding schools, some that could work for my location (KY) and some not so much, i.e. , i liked the tulsa schools, but simply too far away and relocating isn't an option for me right now, then theres's the more short term (not as "degree" oriented) Lincoln Electric School in Ohio, way closer.

Any way. I have no welding experiance, at all.
I primarily wanted some input on which direction i should head in my pursuit. Are the schools really worth it? Should I just pick a local Technical school and take what i need to learn the trade / get a job and work my way up? I'd assume the certificate(s) and diplomas from the major schools could only lead to better paying and more secure jobs?
Any insight would be appreciated? How did you learn to weld? Does your job postion pertain to mainly welding? what type?

 

My advice in something career related, is to talk to someone in the business first...The glamorous race building on HT takes alot of time, work, and RISK to do it yourself...Industrial Welders get paid pretty well, but it's real work...

 

i did just run across the AWS forum, and put the same post there, i just wanted to hear the perspective side of the people who obviously at some point in their life was taught how to weld.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by h22chilton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i did just run across the AWS forum, and put the same post there, i just wanted to hear the perspective side of the people who obviously at some point in their life was taught how to weld.
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honestly look into underwater welding for a boat company or cruise company they pay super good but it requires you to be a certified diver as well as welder.

 

In KY your not gonna get much as a welder, I live here and weld at a business called benson international. I weld aluminum trailers. Just like tony413 said underwater welding would be what you would want to get into if your interested in making big money doing so, but sometimes the risk outweighs the rewards. Sounds like a 7yr max life of an underwater welder isnt very promising, its super super dangerous. Find a union, such as a pipe fitter union around you if you can.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtecspeed1320 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Find a union, such as a pipe fitter union around you if you can. </TD></TR></TABLE>

i saw a couple stories of guys getting started out that way, any more specifics on what that is?

 

I think it just depends on your welding experiance and what your union will offer. Some unions might be copper pipe welders, where you use brazing to weld joints together, then some you might get to weld sanitation pipes together. Some you might get to weld pipes together at a lockheed martin type place.(that was really really cool work, working in a place where you around top top top secret missles and crap all day). Just try and search for a local union around you. Might be one of the easiest ways to expand your knowledge of welding, if you get a chance to do something do it.

 

The best thing school is for is getting your foot in the door. After that it doesnt matter at all really. Certifications expire and most places will have to get you re certified in something at some point so they dont care all that much what you are certified in or if you are at all. They will test you and see if you can hack it.

I have one co worker who has had probably 30 different certifications and in his experience no one has ever really cared as they had to retest and certify him again at most places he has worked.

I personally have no certifications and have never set foot in a welding class of any sort.

every single kid I've worked with that came straight out of tech school didnt know diddly **** anyway. I say con your way into a job and learn as you go.

 

there is the hobart school in troy ohio, but its very exspensive. i would say get a job in the industry and learn as you go, i taught a friend to weld aluminum in a week and he was good enough to land a 13/hr job welding battery boxes for a military supplier. then after 6weeks landed a aerospace welding job doing SS and inconel welding at 17/hr with loads of over time.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtecspeed1320 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I weld aluminum trailers. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I sell aluminum trailers.

go to a community college or somewhere and get certified, my brother is a welder at a local fab place that does all stainless tig stuff, he makes pretty decent money.

all of the aluminum mig welders at our shop make pretty good money as well.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dmotoguy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I sell aluminum trailers.

=.
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pics or link?

 

east dropdeck

 

Just curious, what does that cost?

 

as a self employed welder and fabricator i can honestly tell you it is not easy to make it in industry that is so cut throat.... Only your true talent will keep you ahead of the curve.. No offense to anyone but any monkey can learn how to weld but applying it in way that will benefit you and build a reputation is totally different.. good luck...

 

My reccomendation if you are interested in welding as a career would be to investigate your local pipe fitting union. In our local union (420), there are alot of oppurtunities to weld, braze, solder, etc... as well as specialities related to metal and pipes that you are probably unware of. Give it a shot

 

~$47,000 after the federal tax.

 

thnks for the replies guys, helpful info.

 

Everyone needs welders.....im with a pipefitting union here in Maine off all places and theres plenty of work....Although to make the most money welding, you would be smart to get in with a union through an apprentiship program and get an associates degree out of it and not pay a dime.


IMO underwelding isnt worth the hassle....The pay increase really isnt worth the extra training and certificates it takes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dmotoguy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

east dropdeck</TD></TR></TABLE>i weld for benson international. Mig aluminum. I would jig up, tack, and weld a 52ft trailer, and do about 5-6 of those beams every day. I have probably laid down more aluminum weld in a year and a half than most people have ever laid down in their lives with aluminum.

 

Dennis, i need a welder ASAP if you want to move to AZ LOL.....we don't do trailers though

 

Go to a pipefitters union like some of the guys have said already.


The Pipefitters union here has a great apprentice program from what I have seen at our training facility here in Chicago. Starting pay for the union im in is just under 21 an hour + all your benefits and the top level is at 40 an hour. I got to skip the apprentice program so im not sure what those guys make.

As a pipefitter you can work in places from a refinery, hospital, and even nuclear plants. I think all pipefitters unions share with the HVAC service trade as well, so your not stuck just being a pipefitter you can do other things.

 

Yeah the money is definately in places such as chicago. I could go up there and make roughly 26 an hour and up.

 

As somebody who has been through alot of places, my advice is do the quick and dirty schooling at Lincoln, then get a job and apprentice if you can.
I started really young, I have done alot of different welding from farm equipment, DOT approved small vehicles, trains and rail damage, culverts,
hot rod fabrication, oil and gas fabrication, trailers, concrete forms, antique restoration welding/brazing, ironworking and high rises,and cast iron repair.

Work experience is important, but knowing a thing or two helps you out of "green" status faster. I can tell you that any certification you get is only as good as the worst welder that attained that level.
Bettering yourself through varying tasks and responsibilities is key.
Get to know the basics of welding:
Power sources
Electricity
Basic metallurgy
Blueprint reading
My career is taking me where I want to be, away from the industrial end.
I teach welding now and do TIG fabrication on the side for cars.
Get to know it, like it, hate it. Figure out what you want out of this shiny new career, and try your best to reach that goal.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ls1_datsun &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Dennis, i need a welder ASAP if you want to move to AZ LOL.....we don't do trailers though </TD></TR></TABLE>hmm, i pmd you

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtecspeed1320 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah the money is definately in places such as chicago. I could go up there and make roughly 26 an hour and up.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Springfield Mass is paying 43.50 an hour right now A buddy of mine is in wisconsin getting 37.00/hr plus 7.00/hr into his vacation fund.

You can make a lot of money if you are willing to travel a little. When you travel you get each locals journeyman rate which is most likely always higher than yours.