My dad was a fabricator for 40 years. Could design and make anything. I always took it for granted. I recently asked if he could teach me how to weld. Never expecting to be a professional like him, but it seems like it'd be a nice skill to have. 

Do we have any welders on here?

Best I can do is solder

I was good back in high school ag class but haven't done it since. I've got the inkling to build myself a teardrop camper, and my mom's boyfriend has all the required equipment, so hopefully I'll give it another shot when I've got some time.

Definitely would make you decent money in the shipbuilding/ship repair industry. 

Big money in the nat gas pipeline biz.

I'm more just looking to learn how to do it. I like my job and career. But I'd like to know how to weld to fix things, make things. etc...

Reviews on this unit are good. Seems like a good entry level welder and only $130.

https://amzn.to/3DrSu9K

posted by justincredible

Reviews on this unit are good. Seems like a good entry level welder and only $130.

https://amzn.to/3DrSu9K

Defintely better than the $2000 Miller someone told me to check out lol.

I'm college degreed but when I talk to the younger kids coming up I try to steer them toward a trade like welding, HVAC tech, electrician, etc. 

For the most part they're likely going to get their schooling paid for them (no student loan debt) and will make close to/or more than a six figure income. 

Plus, as a lot of the old guard are retiring, there aren't as many younger people getting into the trades and who's going to fix this shit? 

Having a skill like welding isn't a bad idea.

Definitely a good SHTF skill to have.

I prefer the route of having a "traditional" career for the retirement, PTO, benefits, etc. They are typically better. 

But, I am going to try and teach my son a few trades so he can have a side business...

posted by BR1986FB

I'm college degreed but when I talk to the younger kids coming up I try to steer them toward a trade like welding, HVAC tech, electrician, etc. 

For the most part they're likely going to get their schooling paid for them (no student loan debt) and will make close to/or more than a six figure income. 

Plus, as a lot of the old guard are retiring, there aren't as many younger people getting into the trades and who's going to fix this shit? 

Having a skill like welding isn't a bad idea.

Yeah  I have a degree in physics and work in the electronics industry, but I grew up in a blue collar household and enjoy doing things for myself if that makes sense. I don’t want to be a welder for a living but I’d like to know how to do it. 

A lot of local kids going that route

posted by Ironman92

A lot of local kids going that route

It makes sense. I place professionals in the HVAC/Building Technologies industry and EVERY single client I talk to if I ask "are you having any hiring challenges" tells me they all need field people (HVAC Techs/Installers) and they are paying a premium for these types. It's the same in other trades. People who join these industries can pretty much write their own ticket.

posted by BR1986FB

It makes sense. I place professionals in the HVAC/Building Technologies industry and EVERY single client I talk to if I ask "are you having any hiring challenges" tells me they all need field people (HVAC Techs/Installers) and they are paying a premium for these types. It's the same in other trades. People who join these industries can pretty much write their own ticket.

Basically all the trades are flourishing…no one wants to work that isn’t already. It’s the perfect time to graduate high school and not desire college. Jobs are everywhere.

My good friend at school says that 40% of the people are doing 100% if the work. That feels spot on.

Bought a Miller 215 multiprocess. It was probably more than I wanted to spend but it does arc mig and tig. 

Some people look down their nose at the plumbers, hvac techs, electricians, and auto mechanics of the world................until they have to pay the bill.

I don't weld, but one of the smartest things I ever did years ago was learn how to change out brakes. No doubt, I "saved" myself thousands on the kids cars and another vehicles that we owned that were out of warranty. 

Big Thumbs Up to Tradesmen.

Welded for the first time today with my new welder. Made some christmas decorations I was otherwise going to buy. 

Well done. Looks good.

posted by justincredible

Well done. Looks good.

Thanks. For my first job ever I was happy with it. My old man probably spent a couple hours going over how to set up the welder and wire feed for different applications then showed me on some scrap different welding techniques (push/pull, cursive e, etc....). Being just 3/8 rebar, there wasnt very big/long joints to weld. getting everything set up to make a template to hold the pieces in the patern you need took the longest. 

posted by Gardens35

Some people look down their nose at the plumbers, hvac techs, electricians, and auto mechanics of the world................until they have to pay the bill.

I don't weld, but one of the smartest things I ever did years ago was learn how to change out brakes. No doubt, I "saved" myself thousands on the kids cars and another vehicles that we owned that were out of warranty. 

Big Thumbs Up to Tradesmen.

Amen! 

I'm in the old geezer camp of "I'll fix it myself" ....................at least until I finally give up but only if I have to.  Always a good sense of accomplishment when you figure out how to fix something and get the job done, albeit it generally takes longer than estimated if it's a job you haven't done before.  :)