Welding for a living?

[Colorado_Outback]

We have lots of welders where I work. I'm pretty sure starting pay is about $55K to $60K a year but you wouldn't even get hired on unless you were experienced and certified. Most of their welds have to pass UT and X-ray inspections.

Here is a true story about what it's like to weld for a living....

Imagine you are in a six foot deep trench at about 2:00 am. It's about 14 degrees out and it's starting to snow. You are ankle deep in water and every time you strike an arc you shock yourself. You are doing a hot tap on a 24" natural gas pipe that is loaded with gas and under pressure. You have been working for about 12 hours that day and still have about four to go before you can head back to the hotel for a few hours sleep before you have to get up and get back to work. Oh, and your last performance review didn't go as well as you thought because you really didn't "go above and beyond". You only did what what asked of you.

Sounds like fun, huh?

Aaannnnddd that's why I don't weld pipe in a hole. lol

[ray1970]

Plus, every welder I know is a little goofy from breathing the fumes all day, everyday, for years.

[Mtn.man]

Yup,, in the 80's All the murder flicks and scary movies were WELDERS

[Mtn.man]

Hey try welding at 300+' underwater,,, then you ascend to a little bomb shelter where you hang for 6+ hours, then finally get to top if you and your helper's blood test is OK. Talk about a bullshit day.

[Colorado_Outback]

Hey try welding at 300+' underwater,,, then you ascend to a little bomb shelter where you hang for 6+ hours, then finally get to top if you and your helper's blood test is OK. Talk about a bullshit day.

I saw your pic, that's hardcore welding for sure. Being a single dad has kept me off the road, luckily I got in with a good shop here in town.

[hatidua]

Hey try welding at 300+' underwater,,, then you ascend to a little bomb shelter where you hang for 6+ hours, then finally get to top if you and your helper's blood test is OK. Talk about a bullshit day.

I very seriously considered that route. I personally knew a lot of commercial divers, went down and talked to the folks at some of the best schools for it on the West Coast at the time (1985), decided it wasn't for me: many years recreationally breathing air underwater in SE Asia didn't, for me, equal wanting what commercial diving entails.

[Mtn.man]

Years ago.
Offshore rigs, you and a helper that was more of a watch person.
It was a job, paid good but after thinking about the time spent,,, shoulda been a Rock Star, learned Drums or guitar or a singer.

[Colorado_Outback]

Years ago.
Offshore rigs, you and helper that was more of a watch person.
It was a job, paid good but after thinking about the time spent,,, shoulda been a Rock Star, learned Drums or guitar or a singer.

Haha, I'm not good looking enough to be a rock star and don't even have enough rhythm to be the drummer. Electricity and water scare the crap outa me personally but that's the best thing about learning a trade like welding. Every new job you get into and every time you run that torch your building muscle memory, experience and what I call "the vision" You just start to get an eye for it.

Put in some time ripping beads in school to get those skills going and take the advice of guys like Mt Man and you will be set to make some $$.

I'm 5 years out of school and didnt do any Tig until I got into this gig 2 years ago.

Only photos I have handy

[DSB OUTDOORS]

I weld only when I have to. Not a job, but another spot on the record if needed. It's what bonds us!!

[Mtn.man]

I weld only when I have to. Not a job, but another spot on the record if needed. It's what bonds us!!

The BrotherHood of the Metal... Let it be known across the land that those who melt the metal, meld the bond of the Brotherhood of The Metal...