Looking at a CC welding course...

[GrantH]

Hey guys, i've been a member here for a while but have over the last 3 months started weighing out my options a bit more. The story goes, I graduated with a degree in GIS last December in which I did well, kept a 3.0+ in my degree field, and have applied for 100+ positions. Out of the 200 positions applied for, i've heard back from 2. I'm realizing the economy is crap, and it doesn't look to be changing. As much as i'd love to use my degree, if i'm not getting calls, I can't do much to progress in that direction.

I've always been awestruck with fabrication, welding, machining, pretty much anything fabrication based. I've got a small Lincoln machine, a ProMig 180 that can take gas. It's not amazing i'm sure but it's what I have. My main goal is to learn enough to get a job welding stainless or steel, I don't have much desire to learn aluminum specifically. The local CC has a course that a couple friends have taken that is a year long and is sponsored by the workforce committee I believe it's called. A lot of work is pipeline and ship-fitting around here, neither of which are a true interest of mine. I'm not a small guy, haha.

For anyone that has taken courses like this, where do they typically leave you? I've got a call in to the teacher, but i'm a bit curious at the same time. Do these courses go into TIG welding stainless and such or do they tend to stick to Arc and TIG for steel? What style jobs are available outside of ship building and pipeline work? Obviously fab shops and self employment, but what about production that isn't a constant flow of the same exact thing day in and day out? What are your secrets to doing this for 20+ years everyday and not getting just flat out bored with your job??

Sorry for all the questions, i'm just debating which way to go with the next few months and i'm a bit worried honestly. It's not the greatest time to graduate!

[Bob the Welder]

GrantH, you should check the syllabus for the class that you are interested in. Talk with the instructor if possible to get a feel for his background in the trade and his teaching methods, i.e., does he show/tell you something once or does he take the time, if possible, to explain in greater detail if needed.

All of the course details aside, you will get out of it what you put into it. If you have reasonable hand eye coordination, can follow instructions and practice seriously, you have a very good chance at becoming a pretty good welder by graduation time (end of class).

Jobs available are infinitely variable, but will be determined by the type of business in your area. If you are willing to travel or relocate you can expand your opportunities greatly. Things are slow due to the economy but that does not preclude your getting a job to your liking. It may just take longer.

I've been welding since I was 20 years old and have never gotten tired of it. However, not a great deal of that time was spent in "production" welding. Mostly in maintenance and repair. So there is a lot of variety involved, helping to prevent boredom. Also, make it a challenge to always make each weld the best possible. Remember, its akin to your signature! Good luck, Bob.

[GrantH]

The problem with practice, is it would only take place at school. Not having a TIG machine, nor the funds to buy one, presents a slight problem outside of class hours. The class, at least o#-line, provides no syllabus though I bet I could get a faxed copy or go pick one up on campus. It's this, or a masters I believe. Not sure which would help most in the long run.

Oil & Gas seems to be the fields in my direct area with a bit of production I believe, we just got a new solar panel plant. I'm all for moving, once I know it's fairly secure. I'd love a new city haha.

I'm detail oriented and have good eye/hand coordination, so given a solid education and practice routine I am sure I could pick it up to a degree well enough for employment.

I appreciate the words of wisdom.

[DSW]

Originally Posted by GrantH

The problem with practice, is it would only take place at school. Not having a TIG machine, nor the funds to buy one, presents a slight problem outside of class hours.

Yes and no. You can do basic DC tig with something as simple as a DC capable stick machine and a scratch start tig torch set up. A couple of people have done this with cheap HF stick machines ( not the best option). If you keep your eyes open for an inexpensive DC stick machine I'd bet you could get a setup under say $400 or so. Say $150 for an older DC capable transformer machine like a tombstone, plus $150-250 for torch and bottle used. ( granted you'd need to do a bit of hard searching to get the price down this low) It would basically be the same kind of rig thats used daily in the field by many. The down side is it's a bit harder to learn from the start, but with instruction it's not all that bad.

You might also check and see if the college has open lab hours you can make use of. Often colleges have open time for students to work on projects in labs, especially if the school requires projects to be completed for grade. I know when I went to school open lab hours were hit and miss. Some times an instructor was required to be in the shop, and that limited availability. Other times the lab was simply full of people doing their work and you couldn't get use of the tools etc needed. The tech school instructor where I help out at is more than willing to let the night class students come in durring the day and make use of the facilities when he's got class, as long as you don't disrupt the class, to make up days you might have missed. Another school I deal with, that's not an option, I was able to get to meet with the instructor on one of his other nights before class to look at my practice pieces however.. All depends on the school.

[CosmicRambler]

You say you don't like shipyards but what do you really know about them? Have you ever been in one. Lots of stuff goes on there other than just the big fab module type building.

At this point you don't have that much to offer an employer. Anybody has to put something into you first. Having a degree of any type is a big plus for a shipyard, they might be willing to invest a bunch of training in you. Both OJT and further classroom.

Shipyards make a lot of their own stuff, have a foundry, fancy machining equipment, fabs of all types. But you don't get to start at the top, you got to pay your dues. If you are on the ball should be able to find something to graviate too. There are some jobs requiring a lot of skills. There is a pecking order.

I've been in a lot of shipyards with the Navy, later with MSC, big ones, small ones, some all over the World. Pretty interesting stuff happens, I did no manual type work, most of it I was the bosses representative. Some of it I was on the planning staff. But it can be a good place to start and if you want to move into a particular area, that can be available if you apply yourself and move up as you learn.

I might give the shipyards another look. See what they have as training programs, get paid at the same time, take the longer view. Get the feet wet.

[GrantH]

I guess I took shipyard work a bit narrow minded. I guess what I should have said is that I don't want to be up in small spaces welding all day. My buddy who does ship work has told me some stories I wouldn't want in my daily work, but the way things are now it may become necessary.

I will admit I wasn't aware shipyards do their own foundry work and machine work. I also figured my degree was of no use with the field as it (at the surface of looking) has no real immediate use. I could be wrong, I've been so before. I will look into the yards as I believe we have one of the largest int he country about an hour or so from me.

[tnjind]

What is GIS that your degree is in?

[CosmicRambler]

Yeah, maybe see if you can get a tour of the shipyard. Check out their programs.

You do seem to have good communications skills. Part of the problem any employer has is finding peeps who can just follow basic instructions and have a foggy idea of the bigger picture. So much of the population can't even do the most basic quals or pass a drug test.

At some point they want folks who have the potential for promotion and leadership type positions. A college degree is very useful in those situations. Might allow you a lot more options at some point. A lot of it is the ability to learn fast and have a very good overview.

[GrantH]

Originally Posted by tnjind

What is GIS that your degree is in?

GIS is (in laymen terms) mapping attributes with geographical reference. Mapping demographics, oil spills or toxic plumes and their possible projection over time, mapping of streets and highways. Points can be mapped as well with attributes for things such as gauging stations in rivers, or buoys or anything really. People map anything from bird migration to bike paths. It's great, but the industry is seemingly weak right now.

My interview recently was with the power company.

[jtcnj]

Originally Posted by DSW

Yes and no. You can do basic DC tig with something as simple as a DC capable stick machine and a scratch start tig torch set up. A couple of people have done this with cheap HF stick machines ( not the best option). If you keep your eyes open for an inexpensive DC stick machine I'd bet you could get a setup under say $400 or so. Say $150 for an older DC capable transformer machine like a tombstone, plus $150-250 for torch and bottle used.
.

Hey, not to hijack your thread, but could you elaborate on what to look for in the torch setup, DSW.

I looked for several months and found plenty of older AC, but no DC machines in that price range.

I finally found a clean DC Tombstone with new 20' leads for $300. If I could rig a rudimentary TIG setup I would be thrilled.

Good Luck with your job search Grant!

[DSW]

Originally Posted by jtcnj

Hey, not to hijack your thread, but could you elaborate on what to look for in the torch setup, DSW.

I looked for several months and found plenty of older AC, but no DC machines in that price range.

I finally found a clean DC Tombstone with new 20' leads for $300. If I could rig a rudimentary TIG setup I would be thrilled.

Here's the thread with Tozzi's scratch start tig rig that would work for that machine.

http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=38106

Some people have managed to find a couple of the discontinued HF tig torches to use on some of the cheaper set ups posted here in the past. Best bet would probably be a WP17V series type torch ( the V denotes it has the gas valve on the handle, you definatly want the gas valve torch or you have to turn on and off the gas at the cylinder every time you weld or you will waste gas.) Another option would be a WP9V type torch. The WP9 has a lower amp rating than the 17's and is a bit smaller. The 17's however are probably the most common and there for easier to find used and posibly a bit less money.

A few options for the 125 amp 9V series type torches.

http://www.arc-zone.com/index.php?ma...products_id=33
http://www.arc-zone.com/index.php?ma...oducts_id=6558


A few options for the 150 amp, 17V series type torches

http://www.arc-zone.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=297
http://www.arc-zone.com/index.php?ma...oducts_id=7525


I listed the 12' units, but there are also 25' long units available as well.


Price wise I'd probably opt for the 2nd ones on the list by CK over the more expensive Weldcraft torches myself. I'd probably opt for the 150 amp torch myself. The only reason I'd go with the 125 amp torch was if I knew I'd need a smaller torch for tigher areas, say manifolds and so on.


Besides a reg, hose and cylinder, you will also need a cup, collet, collet holder and a tungsten to match the torch series you pick. I'd start with a 3/32" set and a #8 cup and if you have the money, a gas lense and matching #8 cup because it will allow you to extend the tungsten out a bit farther which usually helps newer tig welders. Tungsten, I'd start with red, but there are any number of other options as well. ( most of mine are orange or gold simply because I had someone who used them at work and they gave me a bunch. For what you are doing now, I'd use the cheaper red ones. You won't be able to tell the differnce at this level.) I wouldn't get a full tig parts kit to start out if you are on a budget. You can make do with just the basic few parts for now ( I didn't pull up the individual parts and compare them to the kit prices however)