Geeesammy Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 If anyone here is a welder or personally knows one I've got a few questions..trying to get my foot in the door and I'm not sure really where to start around here. I have virtually next to no experience so obviously I will need some classes on the methods. The only time I have ever personally done any welding was MIG on a vehicles exhaust system, which for having no instruction or practice before I did fairly well. I've tossed around the idea of moving back to Dayton and attending Hobart's Combination program, but will an employer really value Hobart that much more than say any other school local to Columbus? Hobart I know is very well respected but the money is crazy to attend, plus staying here I can stay with my mom and save a minimum of $400/month on housing. I know you gotta pay to play..but if there is another option local to take I'd give it a strong consideration. I'm willing to turn it into a career if the money is okay, since attending college really won't work out for me. Skilled trades are in a huge lack right now from what I hear and welding has always sparked an interest for me. Cliffs: Want to weld, where is a respectable school in Columbus to start? Is Hobart worth the money? Job outlook upon graduation as long as I am worth a damn (assuming I will be, failing at this point isn't really an option.) Thanks all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn89 Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 Look into some of the vocational schools in your area our career centers. I know a few people that have done it that way. Or you could apply at my work but there's no certainty they will put you on as a welder but they will train you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geeesammy Posted October 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 Look into some of the vocational schools in your area our career centers. I know a few people that have done it that way. Or you could apply at my work but there's no certainty they will put you on as a welder but they will train you. I was looking into a few. Just don't want to waste my time and money at one that has a shitty reputation. I've known a few guys that have gone that route, and it does sound nice, but at the same time I don't want to end up just becoming a laborer instead of getting trained. Not saying it would happen at your place, just don't to jump in neck deep only to find out that it wasn't going to happen like I intended and thought. Been down that road one too many times. Given it wasn't for welding, but I guess with age I've learned not to put all my coins in a bag to throw on the table at once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky31186 Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 Eastland career center welding program. Got my friend in a nice job at worthington cylinders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn89 Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 I learned just by doing it. Not saying I'm the best welder out there, but what i weld holds and looks decent. I learned on stick welding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPL_Josh Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 Our company hired a girl from Hobart. She can weld pretty good if that means anything to the credibility of Hobart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geeesammy Posted October 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 Eastland career center welding program. Got my friend in a nice job at worthington cylinders. I've heard from a lot of people Worthington Cylinders is a good place to work and it seems like they are always needing a few people as well. I learned just by doing it. Not saying I'm the best welder out there, but what i weld holds and looks decent. I learned on stick welding. The welding on the duals on the Fox Body I did is still holding about a year later so I guess I didn't do too bad hahah. Our company hired a girl from Hobart. She can weld pretty good if that means anything to the credibility of Hobart. It does, do you know what program she took by chance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky31186 Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 I learned just by doing it. Not saying I'm the best welder out there, but what i weld holds and looks decent. I learned on stick welding. He is looking to make a career out of this, I highly doubt that being self taught your welds are worth anything in a career point of view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPL_Josh Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 He is looking to make a career out of this, I highly doubt that being self taught your welds are worth anything in a career point of view. I was taught arc in agriculture class in high school. I'm self taught in mig and tig and have for several jobs from that. So your incorrect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geeesammy Posted October 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 He is looking to make a career out of this, I highly doubt that being self taught your welds are worth anything in a career point of view. Exactly. My father was a Marine in Vietnam, and learned to weld through the military but when he went to work at Wright Patt AFB back in Dayton he had t take Hobarts' courses just to be able to do the somewhat advanced stuff. Given the fact he was a steam/pipe fitter though.. Ideally I would like to get welding experience in structural and pipe then go through school and get a Civil Engineering degree and do the same stuff my dad did. Fix boilers all day and dick off when they run right. Made pretty damn good money for what he did was well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Bastard Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 I've heard from a lot of people Worthington Cylinders is a good place to work and it seems like they are always needing a few people as well. I used to work at worthington cylinders and I can tell you from experience that there is a reason they are always looking to hire, the pay is shitty (at least ten years ago when I worked there), and they act like slave drivers (they used to give me shit for going to take a piss). They also tend to hire a lot of temps and lay them off in 6 months to a year so they can keep the costs of employment down, at least that's what I observed when I worked there. Now back on topic, welding is a pretty cool trade and it can pay well. My question is for you though, is this something you want to do for the rest of your life? It's a good skill to have for a hobby or to do it for a couple hours a day, but doing it for 8 hours a day for 20 years or so will cause sight problems still. I did it for 8 hours a day for 2 years and I already notice a slight change in my eyesight, so I recently changed jobs to prevent any further damage. I'm not trying to talk you out of it, just trying to give you something to think about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geeesammy Posted October 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 I used to work at worthington cylinders and I can tell you from experience that there is a reason they are always looking to hire, the pay is shitty (at least ten years ago when I worked there), and they act like slave drivers (they used to give me shit for going to take a piss). They also tend to hire a lot of temps and lay them off in 6 months to a year so they can keep the costs of employment down, at least that's what I observed when I worked there. Now back on topic, welding is a pretty cool trade and it can pay well. My question is for you though, is this something you want to do for the rest of your life? It's a good skill to have for a hobby or to do it for a couple hours a day, but doing it for 8 hours a day for 20 years or so will cause sight problems still. I did it for 8 hours a day for 2 years and I already notice a slight change in my eyesight, so I recently changed jobs to prevent any further damage. I'm not trying to talk you out of it, just trying to give you something to think about. That is something I have considered. It honestly may just be something I use to make decent money while In college if I ever decide to go to school. If the economy wasn't in the shitter I'd be all over going to school for an actual degree, and not "basket weaving" or something similar. Don't feel like doing 6 years worth of engineering classes only to get out with a degree and be thousands in debt with no job. It's always good to have a back up plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex L. Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 Teach yourself and work for yourself. Harder to get established but much better payoff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky31186 Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 I was taught arc in agriculture class in high school. I'm self taught in mig and tig and have for several jobs from that. So your incorrect. Several jobs as what? A weld that needs to perform and look good? I HIGHLY doubt that someone who is self taught, could jump right into a career as a welder and work with the big dogs. Try again. I'm a self taught mig, tig, and stick. And I would never think of making a career out of it without going to school for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 Several jobs as what? A weld that needs to perform and look good? I HIGHLY doubt that someone who is self taught, could jump right into a career as a welder and work with the big dogs. Try again. I'm a self taught mig, tig, and stick. And I would never think of making a career out of it without going to school for it. Just because you can't (or are afraid to) do it doesn't mean others can't. I'm self taught in everything (mig,tig,stick,oxy/acetylene cutting and welding) and I wouldn't hesitate to go head to head with anyone. What's the worst that could happen? You will learn from your mistakes and take action to correct them, learn everything you can and never be afraid to ask questions. Take a job that gives you the opportunity to prove yourself based off of your abilities and your eagerness to learn and you will love what you do. Never stop learning and try to improve yourself every time you strike an arc. And if all else fails, fake it 'til you make it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky31186 Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 If you can get into a "real" welding career with no experience, they must be desperate for employees. The guy doesn't know the first thing about welding, do you think a company is going to throw him in there as a work hazard and say "here's your welder, start building." no. I never said I "cant" or I'm afraid to. I have certified welder friends that do this for a living. I have plenty of years of welding and fabrication. I would still not want to make welding a career without getting properly taught in school. That's like saying someone who doesn't know anything about Wrenching, but has seen it done. Can jump right in and be a master tech. Highly doubt it without proper training, and the only place that will probably hire you is valvoline. So he is better off going to school and getting a degree in welding if he wants to make a career out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 I'm not trying to start a pissing match in a wind tunnel, I was merely making a comment towards yours. I HIGHLY doubt that someone who is self taught, could jump right into a career as a welder and work with the big dogs. Try again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geeesammy Posted October 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 Teach yourself and work for yourself. Harder to get established but much better payoff. I would honestly love to if I had the time and resources more importantly. If my finances and current living situation allowed me a place and time to sit and practice for hours on end I'm sure I would be able to figure a lot out, but unfortunately I can't afford a welder that would be worth a damn and I feel like I would just be better suited to head somewhere to get some schooling and then maybe on down the road pickup some equipment and start my own thing on the side, and then maybe make it a full time deal once I get a decent customer base. If you can get into a "real" welding career with no experience, they must be desperate for employees. The guy doesn't know the first thing about welding, do you think a company is going to throw him in there as a work hazard and say "here's your welder, start building." no. I never said I "cant" or I'm afraid to. I have certified welder friends that do this for a living. I have plenty of years of welding and fabrication. I would still not want to make welding a career without getting properly taught in school. That's like saying someone who doesn't know anything about Wrenching, but has seen it done. Can jump right in and be a master tech. Highly doubt it without proper training, and the only place that will probably hire you is valvoline. So he is better off going to school and getting a degree in welding if he wants to make a career out of it. This is kind of what I'm trying to hint at. I'm sure after a good bit of looking I would be able to find someone that would say "Yeah, I'll hire you on, but you won't be getting any training towards being a welder until X months from now." Which will really be a waste of time in my eyes because who knows what could change within the company in that amount of time. Knowing my luck I would be told that, then the time would pass, get no training and keep getting told "oh, well the economy...." "we don't need any more welders.." etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10phone2 Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 I would look into petroleum engineering as a degree, move to texas for oil companies, and bang blonde strippers in the ass on weekends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geeesammy Posted October 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2012 I would look into petroleum engineering as a degree, move to texas for oil companies, and bang blonde strippers in the ass on weekends. The only engineering degree I think I could make it through would be civil. Although buttsecks with Texas blondes sounds promising I don't think that will cure my ADD. I've done a good bit of research, welding sounds like it would suit me better as a side job/hobby. I dont think I could do it 40+ hours a week for years on end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supplicium Posted November 1, 2012 Report Share Posted November 1, 2012 I run a steel company and are looking for good fabricators and welders all the time. Send me a message once you are on your feet. Rocky's point is pretty valid. Its a tough career, most people dont last in our shop because its very hard work esp to do all day everyday with overtime and weekends. Tack on non stop years of it and people start dropping out. Our shop is pretty much divided in 2, the vets 8+ years no problems and the rookies who have under 2 years under their belt. That group has more people in and out in 3 months then the vets have in 10 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supplicium Posted November 1, 2012 Report Share Posted November 1, 2012 I would look into petroleum engineering as a degree, move to texas for oil companies, and bang blonde strippers in the ass on weekends. I have a friend that did that out of college, paid off 120k in student loans in less then 2 years. Problem is you have to work 24/7 in the middle of no where, but when u r done u will be loaded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bruh Posted November 1, 2012 Report Share Posted November 1, 2012 Several jobs as what? A weld that needs to perform and look good? I HIGHLY doubt that someone who is self taught, could jump right into a career as a welder and work with the big dogs. Try again. I'm a self taught mig, tig, and stick. And I would never think of making a career out of it without going to school for it. He works as a welder full time :dumb: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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