you need to like it a little.... even if you don't absolutely love it with all your heart,,, you want to make sure it's not a job that you're going to get over in a couple of years. mental sanity and happiness are important too... ☺️
This fella makes a lot of sense on this. I started training to be a welder in high school in 1983. I graduated with about 50 people and most of them didn't stick to it. I don't keep up with all of them but most of them stayed in the area. The moral here is that only about 6 of us still earn a living welding, and one of them just passed away last year. To be a good welder takes dedication to the craft. It's not something you just learn to do then go. And honestly it doesn't matter what school you go to when you get out welding in the real world you'll realize school only taught you enough to get by. You don't truly become a welder until you have several years in the field. After all these years in the field here's some questions I believe you should ask yourself before you make the decision to become a welder. First, I'm I willing to accept a craft where I'll be learning something new until the day I retire? Being a successful welder takes dedication to the craft. Second, I'm I willing to travel? because unless you've already got something local lined up the real money in welding is made traveling. Third, I'm I ok working in extreme heat or cold? Confined spaces, or heights? Getting burnt, shocked, soaking wet, filthy dirty, crawling, climbing,or kneeling. Fourth, and in my opinion the most important, How do you handle stress? If your quick to loose patience when things go wrong, or working conditions are inhospitable, trust me you don't want to be a welder. If your cool headed, you've got what it takes. I'll be happy to answer any questions.
Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts, it helps us all to hear this! You were welding before I was even born, I imagine you have much more experience to pull from than I do. Thank you again for sharing it!
@@shailenpatel500 look into to vocational schools around your area that's what I did last year I'm 17 now this year will be my last year before I start working
I'm 18 and fresh out of high school. I have planned to go to welding school next Summer. I knew I couldn't do college for four more years then sit in an office. I want to go out and work for my money. I was always told Blue Collar work was not the best route. I'm just wondering what it looks like after welding school. What should I expect and what do I need to do. I just need someone to help open my eyes and answer the questions I can't even think of asking. Thank you.
I'm going to do ag. for my sophomore year. It's got some welding and metal working stuff in the course so combining that with taking a one or two year class in college and I reckon I'll be set for finding a job after college.
im 30. tried plumbing, machinist, culinary, criminal justice, audio production, warehouse, distribution, retail, grocery, animal care....and now im thinking of welding..i really dont know what to do anymore
I finished college debt free but I also want to learn trade. The degree is just for back up. I want to find a job that gets me working with my hands. I don't want to work at some boring office jobs counting spreadsheets.
And the cool thing about welding and having a skill instead of a degree is that you can go do it by yourself if you get a business management degree or an investment banking degree or anything like that sure you can go to a business and say you have the expertise to do it the job is but you can’t just go home and use those skills to necessarily do anything your self. As an electrician or a welder or as a tradesmen in general you can go home without a job and still participate in your trade you can go start an LLC off the bat
"Make the plan first then learn the skill to apply your plan" Couldn't be summed up any better. I will remember that when I encounter my next endeavor. God Bless
When I first started welding school, I was so ignorant that I didn’t even know what welding was. I just knew it was decent money (and the best money I’ve ever made) for my family. I went to school to learn with an open mind. I didn’t know if I wanted to weld pipe, structural, or at a local fab shop, etc. I actually still don’t know what I like best, because I like doing them all so much now. I just simply want to work for the best job that can provide quality to me so I’m happy when I come home to my family. That’s what I’ve figured out after 2 years of welding so far. I still always question if I should stay or leave; but I’m never unhappy with where I came from.
My brother was a great welder. Ship yards, construction, private, etc... I asked him why he quit. Smoke... He said he knew it was time when he had to shoulder blade crawl for 50 feet through a tube in the bottom of a ship. He said he had to bring a hose that blew in fresh air, his wires, rods, snacks and a mirror. I asked what the mirror was for and he said he had to reach over head and weld upside down otherwise he couldn't see the weld. He was in that tube for 5 hours and finally just had enough. It's not all glamorous.
I almost spent the $25k+ on weld school without realizing what I wanted to do. What I really want to do is build bicycles. Once I realized that requires tig welding, I narrowed my focus to tig and brazing and learned it on my own. Dodged a bullet and found a guy to help me with the specificities of bike building. Thanks man, appreciate the video! A lot of schools presenting themselves as a helping hand when in reality they take way more than their fair share of the deal.
@@GeoSmuckers I think that's just a class. You're not going to get the full range of courses for free but you should be able to go through the basic 4 welding processes and weld positions for 8k or less
@@CHRISTisKing197 to learn and master the 4 processes is going to take 10 years atleast you're better off going to school for stick, then moving to mig and learning the rest on your own time with your own equipment after you've got the two basics down.
Just stumbled upon this video and just want to say that more people need to see this. It can be carried over to any profession not just welding, not enough people see the other side of what it really takes making the big dollars. Keep up the good work!
May everyone find happiness and stability in life. Im thinking of going into welding, im 21 and I want to explore new things and figure out what my career for life is. Exceptional video mate! God bless you
Listen to this man I went to welding welding school and learned the skills without any plan or direction and today I’m an over qualified welder in a fab shop. All the knowledge you can accumulate won’t guarantee anything without a plan to apply it
Here in 2021, absolutely agree with this video. I have been out of highschool for a year now. I originally was going into graphic arts and digital design, but it wasn't for me. I found I can't take desk work. If you took a look at me you might suspect I was trying to become an accountant or teacher. I am not a big or strong person, but I am very good a repetitious tasks, and I am very good at experimenting. I have spent the year trying to earn money and figure out what I really want to do. There aren't just multiple career paths in welding, but several different types of areas in that career path based on what types of welding an individual plans on working with. For me am looking at a school where I can learn both MIG and TIG types of welding. This involves considering where you are located, how long you need to attend, and what kinds of tools and equipment are necessary for the learning/experimenting process. I could end up finding out I prefer TIG welding over MIG welding, or vice versa. But if I want to go into a specific type of career I may still want to learn that type of welding because it may be required or potentially useful in the field I wish to go into. A lot of factors go in to planning out a career path, and all things should at least be considered to some degree. Still, my advice besides having a fallback career, is to not over plan. If you plan so far ahead that when something goes wrong and your plans go awry, then all of that work will be for nothing, not to mention you may be out of a job. Best of luck to all you guys both old and new welders alike! Be careful, but always be ready to try new things and explore new avenues!
I used to weld in a ship yard in the 80's for $8.75 an hour. I changed careers and went into electronics. Ended up doing 6 years in the Navy as a avionics electronics technician. Got out and landed a electronics job as a civilian. Making much more than $8.75 an hour now. But I will always have the welding trade in my hip pocket. I still weld often and enjoy the trade. It's an art.
@@collin833true man , it’s ironic how people in one field tell you to get out while you can. And then someone who’s in the field you want to get into is saying they wish they did what you did
Exactly. What I've found out in reality on these jobs, welding is technically only 10 percent of what you actually do. The other 90 percent, you must use your brain, you must know what your doing. You can weld nice all day, but if you dont know exactly what's going on, if your not producing fast enough, and someone is always having to tell you how to do this and that, the foreman will show you to the door, no explanation. I found that out the hard way coming out of welding school. Not to mention guys, the HEAT is nothing to play about. I'm in Houston Texas and boy I'm running to the fountain every 45 mins. Dont get me wrong, I love to weld and build things, the job did start me off at a decent amount to pay my Bill's, but I MUST apply that skill everyday meaning if I fail to do that, i cant feed my family. Just like what the man said in the video, welding just a SKILL. Oh, and one more thing, be prepared to meet some assholes. They will test you.
Do they scrutinize the female employees like that cmon man it aint that tuff. You got to remember you can file a complaint with the BBB if they try cracking the whip like that. We live in equal right world they would not expect 1920's kind of labor from you. Besides when guys talk like this it just scares away young talent.
4:53 I appreciate you saying this. I’m at a crossroads in this year of my life, I want to achieve big things but I’ve been thinking it backwards. Thank you
my dad wasn't a welder but he did do a lot of metal working and I am in community college right now getting my GED and I got the opportunity to sign up for welding certification courses for free so I'm watching stuff to figure myself out and this really helped thanks!
I saw a job listing for a rail yard, repairing rail cars. I love trains. That would be cool for a while. My attraction to welding is because it's a useful skill to have in a lot of different walks of life. You can use it to repair just about anything, you can use it to design and fabricate things. For instance, I'd love to be able to design and craft furniture, both for myself, and potentially to create my own business out of it. There's a lot of utility in welding... and that's why it attracts me more than any other trade skill, I think.
Before i even start the video or scroll through the comments, the fact you warned your audience about this not being about the welding career, or starting your own career is respectable. I'm subbing just for that. You are an honest man.
Great advise, I live in the UK I run a small family dog kennel business but due to Covid it's dead in the water with no one travelling, so taught myself to weld last year , just spent hours practicing in the workshop, had no choice as all the schools are shut... after 6 months I was selling , wood burners , fire pits , garden trellis gates etc.... always been creative so just love every day now... I'll never be a millionaire but I'm happy....
I just couldn't agree more . I was already doing welding , but I wasn't making enough money ,so , I got my certification and kinda upgraded to structural eroding , from there I jumped to my own welding rig, but the most important thing is to love , and I mean LOVE what you do , I always tell yung guys to be certain about a career in welding , if you are in it for the money you are wasting your time, the money is good but the reward of being a part of something that might be still standing after Jm gone , is just something else.
This is something everyone should hear. It applies to any path that a person would consider pursuing. Wish I heard this when i was 18 before i went to college and now have loans to pay off. 🤦♂️
Well said WB. Also if going into a small welding business, like at home, be comfortable working alone. I love it myself. Now a retired welder, I use my skills in my hobby, customizing hotrod Harleys.Life is good in retirement, and welding trade has served me well.Keep up the videos.
I'm 21 years old coming from cooking thinking about welding and this video helped guide me a lot. I chose this trade because ultimately I want consistent work and the ability to consistently provide for myself and a future family, and welding is a skill I can apply that to. I plan on going to community college to get certified in Industrial Welding when Covid-19 blows over. After I get my certificate I'll go after Apprenticeships and entry level jobs to get the all-important real world experience. As long as I'm using the trade to make money, I'll be happy, but I think if I had to pick one job to realistically shoot for, it'd be using welding to build robots.
@OscarMartinez-kt6mu Hey buddy, it's been going good. I found myself joining a labor union before I even got out of trade school and I can promise you it's worth your time and money to pursue it. Look for your local Boilermaker, Pipefitter, Ironworker, and hell even Heavy Equipment Operator unions in your area. They'll all take you in if you know how to weld, and they'll promise your financial future better than any company ever could.
I am still in school. But before I new I wanted to do mobile welding. First day the instructor asked what you wanted too do and I was one of two people that could say where they wanted to go. Great video
I'm currently a senior and in lucky enough to have the fafsa pay for a welding school completely and while I know I want to do something to do with cars I've been thinking a lot about what to do afterwards and this video has helped me a lot
You changed a life here! Gave me a looootttt to think about; I am just getting into flux core and I’m seeing the differences in each welder. Thank you for giving me the ability to not waste my time!
Very good video. Needed to hear it. I am working on a plan and have always had an interest in welding because, 1) it is a trade skill that if all else fails I'm more likely to at least have work and 2) I love building things and want to make that a major part of my career. Thank you for talking about this.
Wonderful advice. Figure out what you want to do first, then get education that moves you down THAT path. Just like carpentry, there are countless paths and you can waste time and money letting a school tell you which path to be on. Im literally researching welding school currently, so this advice made me step back and made me realize I didn't have a solid plan yet. Thanks!!
Just finished an electrical engineering degree. Just an associates but still a lot of hours and dollars put into a degree it that I didn’t even want. I really just wanted some of the pressure off my shoulders from having no degree in my twenties and felt I needed to commit to something that makes money. Looking into welding now that I’ve graduated and I wish I had seen a video like this before I got started! Priceless information here if you can internalize it before you decide on a direction. Remember that money is important but happiness comes first! Best of luck out there my friends. 👍🏻
Currently in school first semester and I learned how hard it is to work, do school effectively, and stay on top of bills. So I am deciding to pick up a trade (mechanic or welding) and kinda step out into the world on my own and provide for myself comfortably. I hope welding will be that sense of security financially
Thank you so much for this advice. I've been looking into welding as a career for a long time, and now I'm finally taking steps towards that. I'm ready to finally move on from my desk job. At this time, I haven't tried any form of welding yet, but I know I want to become a mechanic welder. I couldn't say that years ago, when I was pondering the idea. Soon I'm going to be living in a house instead of an apartment for the first time in a decade. I think I can finally take the steps to join in a career I'll get fulfillment out of. Making things is my passion, and I'm a perfectionist, but this is the first time I'm moving forward with something I really want to do.
Dude take it from an ex welder. My dad was a welder, my grandfather was a welder, my cousin was a welder, and I was a welder. My grandfather was a welder for 40 years but by time he retire he was basically a mechanic, he ran occasional mig on hydraulic equipment very occasional though. My dad was a welder and and now he's mainly a heavy equipment mechanic due to picking up on the skill at strip mines and such, he may occasionally drop a bucket and do some hardfacing or run a little 7018 but that's rare. My cousin now does cnc machining because robots took like 10 of his welding jobs and the job he worked at for 5 years got robotic welding equipment an made him a repair welder and he had to fix robot arm mistakes all day and took a 3$ pay cut. Listen man what they won't tell you about welding is that big 100k+ you can make is all travel jobs for the most part which is hard to do if you have a family. They won't tell you that most jobs welding you can actually find are production and you'll only make about 35 to 45k a year running fast mig all day, so an average salary you can make without all the stress and health effects of welding just running some heavy equipment or even doing a roofing job, people aren't going to tell you that about 75% of welding jobs that are Monday through Friday with a decent Salary are in some type of automotive or heavy equipment repair and what people won't tell you is that almost all those jobs have been given to mechanics due to the affordability and easy to learn mig. Now if someone needs a bucket pulled off an excavator and repaired or hard faced they just teach their Mechanic to grind run a little mig or a little 7018 which anyone can learn in about a month and make some half cocked that'll due welds and they just saved 50k+ a year by not paying a welder a salary to do repairs like when my grandfather was young. If you're in a locomotive or heavy duty truck shop and need some frame repair to they used to pay a welder a yearly salary to be there and weld now if you go apply at any truck or locomotive shop as a mechanic one of the requirements is mig experience oxy acetalyne cutting experience 2-5 years mechanic troubleshooting and repair experience required ect yeah trust me wen my pap was young and welded in the strip mines and rock quarries you had a mechanic and you had a welder now you have John jack the mechanic/welder lol. Listen man you're doing the right thing get your mechanic experience go buy a mig welder run a little mig watch RUclips get half way decent you'll be alright you can even do collision repair if you're gonna do heavy equipment repair heavy duty trucks construction equipment mechanic tell em you can mig and if they don't have a shop and field weld for repair they'll train you on stick for what little bit you'll need to know trust me you won't do anything structural you'll never even see an inspector my point is welding in a lot of areas has been taken by mechanics ad technicians to save companies money so just keep focusing on mechanics you've got the right idea about being a mechanic welder that's what I do and I'm much happier than trying to take my welding certs all over ten buck two to take weld tests and get jobs that I worked with people that couldn't even read a blueprint mechanic/welder is where it's at man and it you do decide to it wouldn't be the worst thing to go to a local trade school ad take a little welding but I'm sure you won't need to wish you luck man👍👍
Great video! Moving half across the country later this year and I decided that I am going to buy a small hobbyist kit for welding and start learning with the intentions of “ if I like this then I will consider higher education”. You made a point about finding the direction of the trade that I want to follow. Definitely gave me the yellow light to slow down and think about the end goal of learning how to weld.
Thanks for uploading this man. I feel like we're on the same wavelength. The first thing I thought about is "Why am I enrolled in welding school?" And the answer to that is "I love building and racing card, bikes, boats, and planes. And I feel like that take my abilities to the next step."
From what I understand... Laser welding is set to pretty much replace all shop welders. Just look into it. A 12 year old can do it. I still plan on learning to weld for myself as it's cheaper than laser welding... at the moment. Excellent video on "building things". That is what I love to do.
Thank you for this advice. I got into construction a few years ago and want to be skilled at this. I helped the framers, carpenters, painters, etc. But could only do so much with the welders. I want to help build in that area! I enjoy watching the buildings come together and knowing that I helped make that happen! I can also pretty much work anywhere and the pay will be better to support my family! Also, I enjoy the mentorship I get from those that have been in their areas of expertise for decades. I was very surprised at how many of them love to teach us newbies! I'm willing to learn! Thank you!
Buddy there wasn’t even a “proper” shop class in my high school, and the school I went to was $14,872.61 USD (for the foreigners) and I agree with welderbeast, I want down the wrong path for where I wanted to go. (Was also lied to as I went in and agreed but regardless I could have checked around more)
This is really helpful. I just enrolled on an introduction to welding course. It's only 12 weeks and I don't have to pay for it, but I can't honestly say that I want to be a welder. I've been unemployed for 2 years, and I have no skills. I honestly just want to get a skill that'll land me something temporarily, to fund what I actually want to do. But I haven't considered the question you highlighted in this video. Thank you for posting this :)
@@dxdvilla7650 Hey, thanks for checking. I'm on an engineering course now. I think I want to work with hydrogen or electricity (something renewable). 'Still not sure where I'm going after this, but probably an apprenticeship, if I can find the right kind. What are you up to? Are you here for the same sort of dilemma?
@@sasquatchsiosaurus that sounds great! So far I been trying to find a trade myself. I’m interested in welding but don’t know where to start. I read some places to do welding school, other get into nassco, community college, get a job. Who knows. Well see how I go about it.
@@Kayneth951 hey man, thanks for checking up, honestly I feel almost embarrassed. I lost interest in engineering during my course and tried to find work in a minimum wage job. I've been working at McDonald's for the past 2 months(ish). That's probably the best option for me right now, as I'm still trying to work out a direction. I have 3 options I'm thinking of; 1. I have a very defined interest in psychology (but I don't want to be studying it for up to 7 years or whatever - I've already spent far too much time in education). 2. Internal maintenance apprenticeship (multi-skilled joiner or plumber), as I like the idea of tearing people's kitchens apart, then putting them back together. 3. Engineering apprenticeship (still not really sure on engineering, but it pays well and I like crafting stuff. Sorry for the essay. I've just figured out I have ADD, and as a result I have never been able to stick to one idea. I just get bored of every thing. But I do know that I have a passion for learning new psychology stuff, so that seems like the best route.
You talk in an intelligent way. I graduated weld school in SC in late 2021 and absolutely love welding but what hit me hard was the realization that welding jobs aren't just sitting there welding all day long. There's way more to it than just welding which took some of the love away. I don't plan on changing my career path I'm just hoping I can land a good paying job that has me home every night or at least a week every month and is primarily tig/stick welding. I greatly enjoy tig and stick welding and everyday I look back at my time in welding school wishing I could go sit in that booth once more
Good advice, thank you. I’m looking into welding, because I want a reliable career that can support my hobbies. I’m passionate about completely different things, but they aren’t things I can reliably turn into a career. Instead of putting all this pressure into hoping my passions can go against all odds and support my livelihood, I’d rather just have a well-paying, stable job that I enjoy well enough and that enables me to pursue my hobbies without added stress.
Good video and excellent advice. I'd also add, once you're out of school and get some money rolling in, put some away in savings for a rainy day! We see so many young guys come out on the pipeline and run out and buy a new truck with their first cheque, and then when the job is over they're panicking on how to make payments until the next job. Pace yourself people.
I am an electrician and would love to mobile weld for a side job. I have all the tools to get started, now just working on my examinations in the types of welding I will be using in my field. Also working on the liability Insurance, business licensing etc.... this video is great for anyone getting into this field and it revolves around most trades, thank you for this video.
I love building things and fixing things. I have been like that ever since I was very young. I'm a 20 year old female but believe it or not I'm mechanically inclined. My end goal is to have a welding degree and mechanics. Whenever I'm building something or fixing something I don't see it as work. I could spend hours working on cars and it doesn't seem very long to me because I enjoy it. I just applied for a welding trade school so cross my fingers.
Nailed it. I really appreciated you bringing this point up. A lot of folks want happiness and see making money as the answer..but that's just a part of the equation. What of the years we spend making that money? If we can find our PRACTICAL passion..the one that people around us can use..we can both be happy..and make that money. Spent 10 years becoming a software engineer (with no degree) because I thought I wanted to be a game programmer..for all of the wrong reasons. I write songs and love that..but being a handyman, fixing anything I can..that's what pays the bills. And I love it. Don't think about programming hardly at all anymore..unless its to do something fun. Subscribed.
i just started welding the beginnin of this year on my last semester of high school, sadly i didnt get to finish it because of covid but not im going to a community college for my degree and getting experience. I love it. school and work is a pain in the ass but its always worth it especially because i loved learned about welding in those few months i could in high school
I became a millwright at 23 never saw any welding in my life but the first time i seen that rod buring i was hooked i practiced as much as i could now its other than being and industrial mechanic welding is my best skill i can weld everything from a broken heart to the crack of dawn
I've always worried about the amount of stress in this career. I don't do well under loads and loads of pressure to get a million things done in a short time frame. The first thing that stuck out to me about welding was the fact that I actually enjoyed it. I actually wanted to learn more about it and really dig into how it works. I took a welding class in highschool and it pretty much lit that spark. Even though it got cut short by COVID and I was never able to finish the class, the times I did get to weld I really enjoyed. The problem with this though is the schooling. I absolutely despise how our education system works in this country. It's pretty much a brick wall for anyone who doesn't fit the mold of having a high paying job from the start and enough flexibility to be outgoing in school. Alternatives like internships just aren't ideal. I'm willing to do that hard work, but is it worth it? What is the likelihood I'll actually get the job I want (personally I like the idea of tig focused automotive welding or chassis welding. Roll cages or even rust and structural repair). Or will I just be another washed out guy with a skill that I'll never get to use because there's no jobs anywhere.
getting into welding this month with a least bit of knowledge of the subject, but i knew i need a plan for it, wise words man, thanks for the motivation
A welder apologizing for getting "heated"...that's hilarious! 🔥 Seriously, great video though! And you're 100% right; narrow down a specific thing you want to do before you commit to the training and education - not the other way around! Great video!
Man seeing this now as I'm enrolling into welding school fresh out of high school just makes me want to provide for my family till I can for myself. Late to the party but great advice man, helps a lot
My whole thing is I wanted to learn welding when I was younger to do fabrication. Guesseting atv frames/roll cages and other car odds and ends. I do love welding, I do it as a day job but I feel like the stuff I wanted to do with welding I couldnt do that spasificly as a day job.
Welder or not this is a smart man and I really respect his views and thoughts when it comes to giving information about welding and life. Great video man ‼️💯
Hi there I'm 33 now and I'm about to learn how to weld. A good friend of mine has a brother who is an instructor. He is willing to teach me until he thinks I'm ready to take the test. I wish I could have learn this earlier especially around high school instead of flipping burgers but I didn't have someone in my life to guide me expect for my parents who work their ass off to bring food to the table. I guess we all start some where. Now a least I'm mature an super fortunate to be working in a field where I interact with a lot of contractors. Welderbeast thank you for your input.
This was a real eye opener for me. With me still being in high school i am thinking about this trade but i have never thought about where i want it to take me. thank you for that!
Wow!!! Excellent video, I know a young man that has asked me to help him begin his journey of learning to weld. I too started out young, initiated into welding by my father, watching him on so many occasions. This video has helped me provide this young man some direction and what he wants to do in life. You are correct about the perception of welders in this world.... I had a rig with tinted out windows, had been to a meeting similar to Toastmasters had on a suit and stopped to get gas. When I stepped out of the truck the guy on the adjacent pump looked at me in disbelief. He asked was that my truck and I said yes, he didn't say another word.....learning the skill and experience has opened so many doors for me. I now work in quality assurance for a supplier to the auto industry. So, add the skill in my opinion, it can't be taken from you, but at the same time add other skills too......
Honestly I dig this video, because I’m a music artist an it’s something that really makes me truly happy but that’s just the thing I can’t make it in the music industry without good money to provide to that hobby so welding has always been a option to learn just the knowledge base on it is good to have, I was raised on a ole saying an that saying is “the more you know the more valuable you become”
Welding has to be one of the roughest trades out there, and one of the most dangerous(immediate and long term) jobs you can do. Everyone who asks me if they should become a welder or get into it i steer them away. 9/10 people cant hack it to a level where you make the big bucks and if you do get good enough and work hard enough there doesn't seem to be a lot of old retired welders out there enjoying all that coin they made along the way.
It is a tough road but anything worth doing will ever be easy. I still love my trade even though the tough times I’ve been through, it’s all perspective I guess
@@hellrazer2610 I see lots of old truckers. Don't see very many old welders. I doubt cancer gets recorded as a job hazard. Most welders are not doing the work that pays either. You start working 100 ft up on steel or cutting well heads off and the pay goes up dramatically along with the risk.
This is the exact thing i thought about for years as a carpenter. Ive done A LOT of project work with wood and there were many times those projects needed fabrication and welding. I had a mentor friend who worked as a shop teacher and had 40+ years experience welding so I bought the metal and he taught me the basics of welding. I built my own flatbed, fromt bumper and headache rack. I worked with 1/16, 3/8 sheet metal, flat bar and C channel. Aluminum and steel. As we did these projects i learned how creative I could be with it and I i LOVED it. We talked about myself going to school for it and i really wanna learn structural and pipe welding, arc and mig. I now have plans to go to school for it and get a career in it because i enjoy the challenges and how creative you can be with it.
These are the best steps imo to becoming a welder. Before you think of going to welding school which you might eventually do. The first things you need to do is 1. Get some good welding books. 2. Buy a welder AC-DC and if you can't hook it up to your house then you need to buy a generator that can handle the welder you have. 3. Source your metal from the dump they have it all separated which makes it easy to source. 4. Practice, practice, practice 5. Get hired on as welders helper put in a few years get used to the trade and what's expected. 6. Go to welding school if you decide to. 7. Apply as an apprentice. You may be able to apprentice right away under the welder you were working for when you were a helper which is a bonus but might be unlikely. Those are the steps I wish I would've taken instead of going straight into welding school. I feel my career would have gone much smoother had I taken those steps in that type of order. My first year in welding school was a disaster and I felt that many where setup to fail it. Nothing compares to real life experience over school. Once you gain that things are so much easier in school.
I would say go into the military, or else work somewhere you can learn on the "points-system". The main problem with welding is that it is a job nobody wants to share their knowledge with people who can potentially take their job.
Just got laid off as an apprentice electrician and now I’m thinking about welding. This video was great because I thought welding was all about welding anything and not about a specific path. I have 2 questions for you. 1) what made you choose being a pipe welder? 2) what have you heard, good and bad, about someone who welds, say cars and bikes, in a garage environment. That path sparked interest in me most.
Personally, I became a pipe welder for the money. lucky for me I ended up loving it. Most shop work pays less. but you could always work a field job while building up your shop.
I have a back ground of being artist, welding never crossed my mind, when I got into welding skyrocket from there, my first job was to get the experience structural then to assembly then to code (high pressure), all with 3 years, now going on 7yrs on the job and 2yrs of training I'm doing well off then my classmates from training, taking initiative is not being a kiss ass, it doing your job without being told and its a rare trait now days, being at a job to get a pay check wont get you far, being there because you want to it will take you places, ive got my down days but I enjoy what I do everyday, sleep!!! eat!!! weld!!! repeat!!!
i’ve been out of school for 3 years and i’ve been studying around welding and i’ve decided this is what i really wanna do…this video made me want to do it anymore i love building and taking things apart been doing it since i was 5 used to take my dads tools and open my toys up to see whats inside and close them back up
I'm so glad my high school is in a county that has tech programs from juniors and seniors. I start in a few days and I'm so excited to have someone teach me where to start.
My friends always talked about the big money of welding and I didn’t mind it I’ve been enjoying doing audio production/film but I’ve took shop classes this year and I haven’t enjoyed mechanicing or maching but I’ve been getting to weld in my shop class and I’ve really enjoyed it so far.
Boss you hit home with the thinking of what you want. I've always been fascinated with metal working starting with smelting and forging knives, swords, axes, ect. Once I got to the point of armour I played with the idea of welding. I fell into the blazing furnace and now I'm looking to expand more after building a motor hoisting contraption for car engines and helping a buddy fix his boat during salmon season in Alaska patching his block which is important for bringing in the net. 2k for a quick puddle jumper flight and a couple silvers to cook and jerky up for the road after payment.
Thank you so much for this weldingbeast... about to start on 4 week welding course. Looking forward to give it my all💯 to learn this trade. Your video helped me alot to really plan and think ahead of whats to come.
I’m 17 and I’m in an engineering program I’m looking into welding. I’ve tried it out I’m not great at it of course but I really like it. I’m thinking of going into a program for welding that I can for free. I love welding I love making things it makes me so happy thinking about it. I of course would like to make a lot of money to make sure I’m stable. But I also really like the craft. I’m also an artist so I think it would be a cool way to make art. I’m looking into construction welding. Underwater welding. Or maybe something at a company called Paul muller or any of the business I know of. I’d love to go do as much as I can. I need to do more research of the job I want that goes with welding. I’m going to keep doing more and more research. I love welding even if I’m not good at it. I want to keep practicing.
I'm also 17 and going into a welding program soon. I don't know if you'll see this but I just wanted to ask since I have my own insecurities about going into this profession. I've welded in the past but it's been about a year and I wasn't great at it either but I really loved it. Since you said you also tried welding but you're not great at it, are you nervous about going into a program since you won't have the experience and knowledge of many others? I know I am so I just wanted to ask to see if it's common or am I not right for this field.
GREAT video. There's PLENTY of broke wleders and tradesmen of all kinds out there. Also plenty if broke doctors and lawyers too. Lack of vision or/and an addiction of some sort is usually the issue with skilled people that don't have much to show for their efforts after years of hard work.
100% agree. Direct and on point explanation of the reality of the trade. I took a general apprenticeship in a welding shop that didn't cater to the actual welding that I wanted to do, subsequently creating wasted time that could have been spent learning the direct style of welding I wanted to partake in. Solid video.
I'm 55, worked as a teacher and in the healthcare field. Now I'm thinking of a career change. Welding keeps coming to mind. If nothing else, I'd like to learn how to weld for my own edification.
I am currently aiming to be a mechatronics engineer but I am taking a welding class in my high school just in case I may ever need to know it or if I need a backup plan in case I can't get the desired career path. Edit: I do enjoy welding so far and because I only needed 2 more credits to graduate from Highschool I chose a bunch of classes that I found had to do with mechatronics and such and i am even signing up for apprenticeship program. Nothing is guaranteed to happen but I do feel I am taking the right path for a happy future as I happen to enjoy many of the things that goes into the job
So crazy! I was talking to my teacher about that and he said. " Really?... well. It's cool! You can make a lot of money but it's short lived and your mouth with forever taste like tin" lol 😂🥰💋 #ilovewelding
Myself I had been welding for about 16 or 17 years before I had a welding class in trade school as a Union Ironworker apprentice. When the instructor came over and questioned my technique without knowing anything about me or time I had under the hood I simply and politely said to him "how about I weld this plate to the table on one side and we can hammer it over flat and if it breaks off I'll adjust the way I weld to however you think I should". It didn't break and then he asked how long I'd been welding LOL, when they decided to make a bending fixture for bend testing plates he came over and asked me to stitch it together. So you're right on the money with choosing a path, a direction and a career. Then you should choose the appropriate way and type of welding to learn. As always I suggest an apprenticeship, get paid to learn, and if you can land a union apprenticeship you'll get a pension with benefits out of it too.
I appreciate this because I didn’t know what I wanted to do in welding and now I’m going to figure it out and enjoy what I do! I appreciate it! Need this in so many ways, because I don’t have anyone to help me to start the plan, and didn’t know where to start this is what I need this.
Saved me thousands of dollars. I need to re-evaluate what trade to get into. I was looking at dollars and that’s not a good idea. I’m thinking about being an electrician but I got so much time to think. Prey for me!
I was going to go into funeral directing, and was going to apply to mortuary school this year. I stopped short because I realized the job would probably suck my soul dry and keep me in poverty. I’ve always liked working with my hands and my boyfriend is a bricklayer and suggested welding. I was looking at it and I’m sort of obsessed with getting my hands on welding. Hopefully making some moves to get into the trade this year.
Going to welding school, and I got with one where the teachers actually care what you learn. I’ve heard shitty stories about stick programs while I learned almost everything about stick and it’s on to tig which I just finished my 2g on
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Honestly, all I care about is learning a trade that'll make me enough money to comfortably live on my own.
Thank you!
Then welding will certainly do it, I’ve provided for myself and my family of my single income from welding
you need to like it a little.... even if you don't absolutely love it with all your heart,,, you want to make sure it's not a job that you're going to get over in a couple of years. mental sanity and happiness are important too... ☺️
Same
@@Welderbeast Good on you! I'm about to study once this coronovirus has blown over here in the UK.
This fella makes a lot of sense on this. I started training to be a welder in high school in 1983. I graduated with about 50 people and most of them didn't stick to it. I don't keep up with all of them but most of them stayed in the area. The moral here is that only about 6 of us still earn a living welding, and one of them just passed away last year.
To be a good welder takes dedication to the craft. It's not something you just learn to do then go. And honestly it doesn't matter what school you go to when you get out welding in the real world you'll realize school only taught you enough to get by. You don't truly become a welder until you have several years in the field.
After all these years in the field here's some questions I believe you should ask yourself before you make the decision to become a welder. First, I'm I willing to accept a craft where I'll be learning something new until the day I retire? Being a successful welder takes dedication to the craft. Second, I'm I willing to travel? because unless you've already got something local lined up the real money in welding is made traveling. Third, I'm I ok working in extreme heat or cold? Confined spaces, or heights? Getting burnt, shocked, soaking wet, filthy dirty, crawling, climbing,or kneeling. Fourth, and in my opinion the most important, How do you handle stress? If your quick to loose patience when things go wrong, or working conditions are inhospitable, trust me you don't want to be a welder. If your cool headed, you've got what it takes.
I'll be happy to answer any questions.
Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts, it helps us all to hear this! You were welding before I was even born, I imagine you have much more experience to pull from than I do. Thank you again for sharing it!
How would a 16 year old get into welding
@@shailenpatel500 look into to vocational schools around your area that's what I did last year I'm 17 now this year will be my last year before I start working
I'm 18 and fresh out of high school. I have planned to go to welding school next Summer. I knew I couldn't do college for four more years then sit in an office. I want to go out and work for my money. I was always told Blue Collar work was not the best route. I'm just wondering what it looks like after welding school. What should I expect and what do I need to do. I just need someone to help open my eyes and answer the questions I can't even think of asking. Thank you.
@Dave 85 .Wise words there mate, just what I needed to hear! Reminded me how filthy and hard this career can be on your body/mind. Thank you sir!
As a 17 year old going into my senior year while doing a welding program this has helped me greatly
We have a welding class at my school as well, since I was a freshman I signed up for it as my elective, each year they put me back in drama🤦♂️
I'm going to do ag. for my sophomore year. It's got some welding and metal working stuff in the course so combining that with taking a one or two year class in college and I reckon I'll be set for finding a job after college.
@@ggzyt_livitup3898 same 😂 I’ve been trying and i hope I get in for my senior year I keep getting placed into wood shop
@@yaboi5932 that’s what I do, it gives you some more opportunity’s and see what you like.
literally wut i'm trying to decide
im 30. tried plumbing, machinist, culinary, criminal justice, audio production, warehouse, distribution, retail, grocery, animal care....and now im thinking of welding..i really dont know what to do anymore
Try Electrician
@@vsteele1672 why electrician? that shit looks complicating as fuck
That’s the beauty of life, figuring out what you don’t want so it takes you a step closer to finding what you do want
Accounting
You sound like me! I’m currently in electrician school and thinking about doing welding next.
I finished college debt free but I also want to learn trade. The degree is just for back up. I want to find a job that gets me working with my hands. I don't want to work at some boring office jobs counting spreadsheets.
And the cool thing about welding and having a skill instead of a degree is that you can go do it by yourself if you get a business management degree or an investment banking degree or anything like that sure you can go to a business and say you have the expertise to do it the job is but you can’t just go home and use those skills to necessarily do anything your self.
As an electrician or a welder or as a tradesmen in general you can go home without a job and still participate in your trade you can go start an LLC off the bat
@@apenguingames4305 what is a LLC
I’ve just realized this. I got my degree and don’t want to be in an office for the rest of my life doing social work.
Hope its going good for yall
SAME
"Make the plan first then learn the skill to apply your plan"
Couldn't be summed up any better. I will remember that when I encounter my next endeavor. God Bless
Glad you liked it!
When I first started welding school, I was so ignorant that I didn’t even know what welding was. I just knew it was decent money (and the best money I’ve ever made) for my family. I went to school to learn with an open mind. I didn’t know if I wanted to weld pipe, structural, or at a local fab shop, etc. I actually still don’t know what I like best, because I like doing them all so much now. I just simply want to work for the best job that can provide quality to me so I’m happy when I come home to my family. That’s what I’ve figured out after 2 years of welding so far. I still always question if I should stay or leave; but I’m never unhappy with where I came from.
Thank you for sharing!
What's the "best money you've ever made"? I'm curious.
Wait so you can do all of them? How long does it take to learn
Update?
My brother was a great welder. Ship yards, construction, private, etc... I asked him why he quit. Smoke... He said he knew it was time when he had to shoulder blade crawl for 50 feet through a tube in the bottom of a ship. He said he had to bring a hose that blew in fresh air, his wires, rods, snacks and a mirror. I asked what the mirror was for and he said he had to reach over head and weld upside down otherwise he couldn't see the weld. He was in that tube for 5 hours and finally just had enough. It's not all glamorous.
Wow
I almost spent the $25k+ on weld school without realizing what I wanted to do. What I really want to do is build bicycles. Once I realized that requires tig welding, I narrowed my focus to tig and brazing and learned it on my own. Dodged a bullet and found a guy to help me with the specificities of bike building. Thanks man, appreciate the video! A lot of schools presenting themselves as a helping hand when in reality they take way more than their fair share of the deal.
25k? Lol welding isn't rocket science. There are more affordable schools
@@CHRISTisKing197 i was confused because local community colleges offer it for free
@@GeoSmuckers I think that's just a class. You're not going to get the full range of courses for free but you should be able to go through the basic 4 welding processes and weld positions for 8k or less
@@GeoSmuckers Never free tf? I'm paying $3,5 rn
@@CHRISTisKing197 to learn and master the 4 processes is going to take 10 years atleast you're better off going to school for stick, then moving to mig and learning the rest on your own time with your own equipment after you've got the two basics down.
Just stumbled upon this video and just want to say that more people need to see this. It can be carried over to any profession not just welding, not enough people see the other side of what it really takes making the big dollars. Keep up the good work!
May everyone find happiness and stability in life.
Im thinking of going into welding, im 21 and I want to explore new things and figure out what my career for life is. Exceptional video mate! God bless you
I appreciate you saying this. I’m at a crossroads in this year of my life, I want to achieve big things but I’ve been thinking it backwards. Thank you
Me too
This is the realest advice I've ever heard about choosing this skill set. Thank you for being honest and truthful.
Listen to this man I went to welding welding school and learned the skills without any plan or direction and today I’m an over qualified welder in a fab shop. All the knowledge you can accumulate won’t guarantee anything without a plan to apply it
@Grant B. No. Probably less than $30
@Grant B. He failed to answer u 🤣
Here in 2021, absolutely agree with this video. I have been out of highschool for a year now. I originally was going into graphic arts and digital design, but it wasn't for me. I found I can't take desk work. If you took a look at me you might suspect I was trying to become an accountant or teacher. I am not a big or strong person, but I am very good a repetitious tasks, and I am very good at experimenting. I have spent the year trying to earn money and figure out what I really want to do. There aren't just multiple career paths in welding, but several different types of areas in that career path based on what types of welding an individual plans on working with. For me am looking at a school where I can learn both MIG and TIG types of welding. This involves considering where you are located, how long you need to attend, and what kinds of tools and equipment are necessary for the learning/experimenting process. I could end up finding out I prefer TIG welding over MIG welding, or vice versa. But if I want to go into a specific type of career I may still want to learn that type of welding because it may be required or potentially useful in the field I wish to go into. A lot of factors go in to planning out a career path, and all things should at least be considered to some degree. Still, my advice besides having a fallback career, is to not over plan. If you plan so far ahead that when something goes wrong and your plans go awry, then all of that work will be for nothing, not to mention you may be out of a job. Best of luck to all you guys both old and new welders alike! Be careful, but always be ready to try new things and explore new avenues!
Exceptional words of advise!
I used to weld in a ship yard in the 80's for $8.75 an hour. I changed careers and went into electronics. Ended up doing 6 years in the Navy as a avionics electronics technician. Got out and landed a electronics job as a civilian. Making much more than $8.75 an hour now. But I will always have the welding trade in my hip pocket. I still weld often and enjoy the trade. It's an art.
aviation machinists mate here. i hate the job and i’m getting out to BECOME a welder. lol. funny how it works isn’t it.
@@collin833true man , it’s ironic how people in one field tell you to get out while you can. And then someone who’s in the field you want to get into is saying they wish they did what you did
Exactly. What I've found out in reality on these jobs, welding is technically only 10 percent of what you actually do. The other 90 percent, you must use your brain, you must know what your doing. You can weld nice all day, but if you dont know exactly what's going on, if your not producing fast enough, and someone is always having to tell you how to do this and that, the foreman will show you to the door, no explanation. I found that out the hard way coming out of welding school. Not to mention guys, the HEAT is nothing to play about. I'm in Houston Texas and boy I'm running to the fountain every 45 mins. Dont get me wrong, I love to weld and build things, the job did start me off at a decent amount to pay my Bill's, but I MUST apply that skill everyday meaning if I fail to do that, i cant feed my family. Just like what the man said in the video, welding just a SKILL. Oh, and one more thing, be prepared to meet some assholes. They will test you.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and watching, I agree with everything you mentioned 100%
@NorthernCaliWay Yes you should stick to trucking no bullshit
@NorthernCaliWay Don't like a-holes?
LOL! And yet you want to do a job where you are fkn
SURROUNDED BY THEM ON THE ROAD!!!
THAT'S FUNNY SHIT!!
@NorthernCaliWay I'm so glad you said that.
Do they scrutinize the female employees like that cmon man it aint that tuff. You got to remember you can file a complaint with the BBB if they try cracking the whip like that. We live in equal right world they would not expect 1920's kind of labor from you. Besides when guys talk like this it just scares away young talent.
4:53
I appreciate you saying this. I’m at a crossroads in this year of my life, I want to achieve big things but I’ve been thinking it backwards. Thank you
my dad wasn't a welder but he did do a lot of metal working and I am in community college right now getting my GED and I got the opportunity to sign up for welding certification courses for free so I'm watching stuff to figure myself out and this really helped thanks!
Update
Update
Update
I saw a job listing for a rail yard, repairing rail cars. I love trains. That would be cool for a while.
My attraction to welding is because it's a useful skill to have in a lot of different walks of life. You can use it to repair just about anything, you can use it to design and fabricate things. For instance, I'd love to be able to design and craft furniture, both for myself, and potentially to create my own business out of it. There's a lot of utility in welding... and that's why it attracts me more than any other trade skill, I think.
Before i even start the video or scroll through the comments, the fact you warned your audience about this not being about the welding career, or starting your own career is respectable. I'm subbing just for that. You are an honest man.
Great advise, I live in the UK I run a small family dog kennel business but due to Covid it's dead in the water with no one travelling, so taught myself to weld last year , just spent hours practicing in the workshop, had no choice as all the schools are shut... after 6 months I was selling , wood burners , fire pits , garden trellis gates etc.... always been creative so just love every day now... I'll never be a millionaire but I'm happy....
I just couldn't agree more . I was already doing welding , but I wasn't making enough money ,so , I got my certification and kinda upgraded to structural eroding , from there I jumped to my own welding rig, but the most important thing is to love , and I mean LOVE what you do , I always tell yung guys to be certain about a career in welding , if you are in it for the money you are wasting your time, the money is good but the reward of being a part of something that might be still standing after Jm gone , is just something else.
This is something everyone should hear. It applies to any path that a person would consider pursuing. Wish I heard this when i was 18 before i went to college and now have loans to pay off. 🤦♂️
Well said WB. Also if going into a small welding business, like at home, be comfortable working alone. I love it myself. Now a retired welder, I use my skills in my hobby, customizing hotrod Harleys.Life is good in retirement, and welding trade has served me well.Keep up the videos.
I've been considering welding school and I really appreciate your input on this. Some great food for thought
I'm 21 years old coming from cooking thinking about welding and this video helped guide me a lot.
I chose this trade because ultimately I want consistent work and the ability to consistently provide for myself and a future family, and welding is a skill I can apply that to. I plan on going to community college to get certified in Industrial Welding when Covid-19 blows over. After I get my certificate I'll go after Apprenticeships and entry level jobs to get the all-important real world experience.
As long as I'm using the trade to make money, I'll be happy, but I think if I had to pick one job to realistically shoot for, it'd be using welding to build robots.
Hey man how’s its going it’s been sometime mind sharing an update? I’m 26 leaning towards this trade.
@OscarMartinez-kt6mu Hey buddy, it's been going good. I found myself joining a labor union before I even got out of trade school and I can promise you it's worth your time and money to pursue it.
Look for your local Boilermaker, Pipefitter, Ironworker, and hell even Heavy Equipment Operator unions in your area. They'll all take you in if you know how to weld, and they'll promise your financial future better than any company ever could.
You Are Spot On ! ! ! Fast approaching 40 years as a Craftsman in the Welding Trade . Your Advice is Correct ! ! !
I am still in school. But before I new I wanted to do mobile welding. First day the instructor asked what you wanted too do and I was one of two people that could say where they wanted to go. Great video
I’m glad you already have a goal and direction for learning welding, that puts you ahead of the curve
I'm currently a senior and in lucky enough to have the fafsa pay for a welding school completely and while I know I want to do something to do with cars I've been thinking a lot about what to do afterwards and this video has helped me a lot
Honestly, I needed this. I was going to go into welding for the money but there are other ways of getting that money and being happy at the same time.
You changed a life here! Gave me a looootttt to think about; I am just getting into flux core and I’m seeing the differences in each welder. Thank you for giving me the ability to not waste my time!
Very good video. Needed to hear it. I am working on a plan and have always had an interest in welding because, 1) it is a trade skill that if all else fails I'm more likely to at least have work and 2) I love building things and want to make that a major part of my career. Thank you for talking about this.
As a welder of 31yrs & counting this is the best sound advice to date.
Did you like welding at first?
Outstanding advice. Honorable man who actually cares about people.
Wonderful advice. Figure out what you want to do first, then get education that moves you down THAT path. Just like carpentry, there are countless paths and you can waste time and money letting a school tell you which path to be on. Im literally researching welding school currently, so this advice made me step back and made me realize I didn't have a solid plan yet. Thanks!!
I want to go to MIAT college of technology just to weld but now I probably will do pipe welding or metal welding.
Just finished an electrical engineering degree. Just an associates but still a lot of hours and dollars put into a degree it that I didn’t even want. I really just wanted some of the pressure off my shoulders from having no degree in my twenties and felt I needed to commit to something that makes money. Looking into welding now that I’ve graduated and I wish I had seen a video like this before I got started! Priceless information here if you can internalize it before you decide on a direction. Remember that money is important but happiness comes first! Best of luck out there my friends. 👍🏻
What are you doing now? EE or welding?
Currently in school first semester and I learned how hard it is to work, do school effectively, and stay on top of bills. So I am deciding to pick up a trade (mechanic or welding) and kinda step out into the world on my own and provide for myself comfortably. I hope welding will be that sense of security financially
Thank you so much for this advice. I've been looking into welding as a career for a long time, and now I'm finally taking steps towards that. I'm ready to finally move on from my desk job. At this time, I haven't tried any form of welding yet, but I know I want to become a mechanic welder. I couldn't say that years ago, when I was pondering the idea. Soon I'm going to be living in a house instead of an apartment for the first time in a decade. I think I can finally take the steps to join in a career I'll get fulfillment out of. Making things is my passion, and I'm a perfectionist, but this is the first time I'm moving forward with something I really want to do.
Dude take it from an ex welder. My dad was a welder, my grandfather was a welder, my cousin was a welder, and I was a welder. My grandfather was a welder for 40 years but by time he retire he was basically a mechanic, he ran occasional mig on hydraulic equipment very occasional though. My dad was a welder and and now he's mainly a heavy equipment mechanic due to picking up on the skill at strip mines and such, he may occasionally drop a bucket and do some hardfacing or run a little 7018 but that's rare. My cousin now does cnc machining because robots took like 10 of his welding jobs and the job he worked at for 5 years got robotic welding equipment an made him a repair welder and he had to fix robot arm mistakes all day and took a 3$ pay cut. Listen man what they won't tell you about welding is that big 100k+ you can make is all travel jobs for the most part which is hard to do if you have a family. They won't tell you that most jobs welding you can actually find are production and you'll only make about 35 to 45k a year running fast mig all day, so an average salary you can make without all the stress and health effects of welding just running some heavy equipment or even doing a roofing job, people aren't going to tell you that about 75% of welding jobs that are Monday through Friday with a decent Salary are in some type of automotive or heavy equipment repair and what people won't tell you is that almost all those jobs have been given to mechanics due to the affordability and easy to learn mig. Now if someone needs a bucket pulled off an excavator and repaired or hard faced they just teach their Mechanic to grind run a little mig or a little 7018 which anyone can learn in about a month and make some half cocked that'll due welds and they just saved 50k+ a year by not paying a welder a salary to do repairs like when my grandfather was young. If you're in a locomotive or heavy duty truck shop and need some frame repair to they used to pay a welder a yearly salary to be there and weld now if you go apply at any truck or locomotive shop as a mechanic one of the requirements is mig experience oxy acetalyne cutting experience 2-5 years mechanic troubleshooting and repair experience required ect yeah trust me wen my pap was young and welded in the strip mines and rock quarries you had a mechanic and you had a welder now you have John jack the mechanic/welder lol. Listen man you're doing the right thing get your mechanic experience go buy a mig welder run a little mig watch RUclips get half way decent you'll be alright you can even do collision repair if you're gonna do heavy equipment repair heavy duty trucks construction equipment mechanic tell em you can mig and if they don't have a shop and field weld for repair they'll train you on stick for what little bit you'll need to know trust me you won't do anything structural you'll never even see an inspector my point is welding in a lot of areas has been taken by mechanics ad technicians to save companies money so just keep focusing on mechanics you've got the right idea about being a mechanic welder that's what I do and I'm much happier than trying to take my welding certs all over ten buck two to take weld tests and get jobs that I worked with people that couldn't even read a blueprint mechanic/welder is where it's at man and it you do decide to it wouldn't be the worst thing to go to a local trade school ad take a little welding but I'm sure you won't need to wish you luck man👍👍
5 years later and this video is still helping people. Thank you
darn....in Finland the educattion is free.
Respect the teachers!
Not here, education costs
The education is free. Meaning low paid teaching jobs the tax payers have to pay for. #socialism.
Canada is pretty good
Pretty much like that everywhere i europe. And i think it should be that way everywhere.
Mutta vaikea löytää koulu jossa on huippu opettaja. Itselle sattui kyllä maailman paskin opettaja amiksessa.
Great video! Moving half across the country later this year and I decided that I am going to buy a small hobbyist kit for welding and start learning with the intentions of “ if I like this then I will consider higher education”. You made a point about finding the direction of the trade that I want to follow. Definitely gave me the yellow light to slow down and think about the end goal of learning how to weld.
Thanks for uploading this man. I feel like we're on the same wavelength. The first thing I thought about is "Why am I enrolled in welding school?" And the answer to that is "I love building and racing card, bikes, boats, and planes. And I feel like that take my abilities to the next step."
From what I understand... Laser welding is set to pretty much replace all shop welders. Just look into it. A 12 year old can do it. I still plan on learning to weld for myself as it's cheaper than laser welding... at the moment. Excellent video on "building things". That is what I love to do.
Thank you for this advice. I got into construction a few years ago and want to be skilled at this. I helped the framers, carpenters, painters, etc. But could only do so much with the welders. I want to help build in that area! I enjoy watching the buildings come together and knowing that I helped make that happen! I can also pretty much work anywhere and the pay will be better to support my family! Also, I enjoy the mentorship I get from those that have been in their areas of expertise for decades. I was very surprised at how many of them love to teach us newbies! I'm willing to learn! Thank you!
True words of wisdom right there. Proverbs 21:5, you need to have a plan.
100%
That's a deep quote! And is very true indeed
The foolish man says I will get there and then I will come to know, the wise man says I will plan first then I will be prepared for when i arrive!
Bruh learning welding was free in my Highschool. And a couple hundred at the community college.😂 I'm lucky to live in my city.
Very lucky indeed!
Sammmmmeeeeee
In nyc there’s co- op tech it’s completely free
Renaldo Roy hey I’m planning on going there once I graduate high school to study welding, how was it? Would you recommend it ?
Buddy there wasn’t even a “proper” shop class in my high school, and the school I went to was $14,872.61 USD (for the foreigners) and I agree with welderbeast, I want down the wrong path for where I wanted to go. (Was also lied to as I went in and agreed but regardless I could have checked around more)
This is a fantastic piece of advice for my teenager, who is expressing interest in welding. Thank you.
This is really helpful.
I just enrolled on an introduction to welding course. It's only 12 weeks and I don't have to pay for it, but I can't honestly say that I want to be a welder.
I've been unemployed for 2 years, and I have no skills. I honestly just want to get a skill that'll land me something temporarily, to fund what I actually want to do.
But I haven't considered the question you highlighted in this video.
Thank you for posting this :)
Yo! We're on the same fence.
How are you doing now ?
@@dxdvilla7650 Hey, thanks for checking.
I'm on an engineering course now.
I think I want to work with hydrogen or electricity (something renewable).
'Still not sure where I'm going after this, but probably an apprenticeship, if I can find the right kind.
What are you up to?
Are you here for the same sort of dilemma?
@@sasquatchsiosaurus that sounds great! So far I been trying to find a trade myself. I’m interested in welding but don’t know where to start. I read some places to do welding school, other get into nassco, community college, get a job. Who knows. Well see how I go about it.
@@Kayneth951 hey man, thanks for checking up, honestly I feel almost embarrassed.
I lost interest in engineering during my course and tried to find work in a minimum wage job.
I've been working at McDonald's for the past 2 months(ish).
That's probably the best option for me right now, as I'm still trying to work out a direction.
I have 3 options I'm thinking of;
1. I have a very defined interest in psychology (but I don't want to be studying it for up to 7 years or whatever - I've already spent far too much time in education).
2. Internal maintenance apprenticeship (multi-skilled joiner or plumber), as I like the idea of tearing people's kitchens apart, then putting them back together.
3. Engineering apprenticeship (still not really sure on engineering, but it pays well and I like crafting stuff.
Sorry for the essay.
I've just figured out I have ADD, and as a result I have never been able to stick to one idea. I just get bored of every thing. But I do know that I have a passion for learning new psychology stuff, so that seems like the best route.
You talk in an intelligent way. I graduated weld school in SC in late 2021 and absolutely love welding but what hit me hard was the realization that welding jobs aren't just sitting there welding all day long. There's way more to it than just welding which took some of the love away. I don't plan on changing my career path I'm just hoping I can land a good paying job that has me home every night or at least a week every month and is primarily tig/stick welding. I greatly enjoy tig and stick welding and everyday I look back at my time in welding school wishing I could go sit in that booth once more
Good advice, thank you. I’m looking into welding, because I want a reliable career that can support my hobbies. I’m passionate about completely different things, but they aren’t things I can reliably turn into a career.
Instead of putting all this pressure into hoping my passions can go against all odds and support my livelihood, I’d rather just have a well-paying, stable job that I enjoy well enough and that enables me to pursue my hobbies without added stress.
@Sayin wat What do you foresee as being bad about welding?
Good video and excellent advice. I'd also add, once you're out of school and get some money rolling in, put some away in savings for a rainy day! We see so many young guys come out on the pipeline and run out and buy a new truck with their first cheque, and then when the job is over they're panicking on how to make payments until the next job. Pace yourself people.
Just great wisdom that can be applied to life, not just welding!
I am an electrician and would love to mobile weld for a side job. I have all the tools to get started, now just working on my examinations in the types of welding I will be using in my field. Also working on the liability Insurance, business licensing etc.... this video is great for anyone getting into this field and it revolves around most trades, thank you for this video.
I love building things and fixing things. I have been like that ever since I was very young. I'm a 20 year old female but believe it or not I'm mechanically inclined. My end goal is to have a welding degree and mechanics. Whenever I'm building something or fixing something I don't see it as work. I could spend hours working on cars and it doesn't seem very long to me because I enjoy it. I just applied for a welding trade school so cross my fingers.
Nailed it. I really appreciated you bringing this point up. A lot of folks want happiness and see making money as the answer..but that's just a part of the equation. What of the years we spend making that money? If we can find our PRACTICAL passion..the one that people around us can use..we can both be happy..and make that money.
Spent 10 years becoming a software engineer (with no degree) because I thought I wanted to be a game programmer..for all of the wrong reasons. I write songs and love that..but being a handyman, fixing anything I can..that's what pays the bills. And I love it. Don't think about programming hardly at all anymore..unless its to do something fun. Subscribed.
Right on, glad you were able to make the practical decision and not stick with programming just cause you had 10 years in it!
i just started welding the beginnin of this year on my last semester of high school, sadly i didnt get to finish it because of covid but not im going to a community college for my degree and getting experience. I love it. school and work is a pain in the ass but its always worth it especially because i loved learned about welding in those few months i could in high school
I became a millwright at 23 never saw any welding in my life but the first time i seen that rod buring i was hooked i practiced as much as i could now its other than being and industrial mechanic welding is my best skill i can weld everything from a broken heart to the crack of dawn
I've always worried about the amount of stress in this career. I don't do well under loads and loads of pressure to get a million things done in a short time frame.
The first thing that stuck out to me about welding was the fact that I actually enjoyed it. I actually wanted to learn more about it and really dig into how it works.
I took a welding class in highschool and it pretty much lit that spark. Even though it got cut short by COVID and I was never able to finish the class, the times I did get to weld I really enjoyed.
The problem with this though is the schooling. I absolutely despise how our education system works in this country. It's pretty much a brick wall for anyone who doesn't fit the mold of having a high paying job from the start and enough flexibility to be outgoing in school.
Alternatives like internships just aren't ideal.
I'm willing to do that hard work, but is it worth it? What is the likelihood I'll actually get the job I want (personally I like the idea of tig focused automotive welding or chassis welding. Roll cages or even rust and structural repair). Or will I just be another washed out guy with a skill that I'll never get to use because there's no jobs anywhere.
Did you ever end up doing it
getting into welding this month with a least bit of knowledge of the subject, but i knew i need a plan for it, wise words man, thanks for the motivation
A welder apologizing for getting "heated"...that's hilarious! 🔥 Seriously, great video though! And you're 100% right; narrow down a specific thing you want to do before you commit to the training and education - not the other way around! Great video!
Man seeing this now as I'm enrolling into welding school fresh out of high school just makes me want to provide for my family till I can for myself. Late to the party but great advice man, helps a lot
My whole thing is I wanted to learn welding when I was younger to do fabrication. Guesseting atv frames/roll cages and other car odds and ends. I do love welding, I do it as a day job but I feel like the stuff I wanted to do with welding I couldnt do that spasificly as a day job.
Welder or not this is a smart man and I really respect his views and thoughts when it comes to giving information about welding and life. Great video man ‼️💯
Hi there I'm 33 now and I'm about to learn how to weld. A good friend of mine has a brother who is an instructor. He is willing to teach me until he thinks I'm ready to take the test. I wish I could have learn this earlier especially around high school instead of flipping burgers but I didn't have someone in my life to guide me expect for my parents who work their ass off to bring food to the table. I guess we all start some where. Now a least I'm mature an super fortunate to be working in a field where I interact with a lot of contractors. Welderbeast thank you for your input.
Thanks for watching and good luck!
@@Welderbeast thanks bud
I'm a slow learner but i guess i should try it out
@@Christianmendez-ig8xg yea i am too and i wonder if welding is good for people like us
This was a real eye opener for me. With me still being in high school i am thinking about this trade but i have never thought about where i want it to take me. thank you for that!
Wow!!! Excellent video, I know a young man that has asked me to help him begin his journey of learning to weld. I too started out young, initiated into welding by my father, watching him on so many occasions. This video has helped me provide this young man some direction and what he wants to do in life. You are correct about the perception of welders in this world.... I had a rig with tinted out windows, had been to a meeting similar to Toastmasters had on a suit and stopped to get gas. When I stepped out of the truck the guy on the adjacent pump looked at me in disbelief. He asked was that my truck and I said yes, he didn't say another word.....learning the skill and experience has opened so many doors for me. I now work in quality assurance for a supplier to the auto industry. So, add the skill in my opinion, it can't be taken from you, but at the same time add other skills too......
Thank you for this perspective. Sometimes we need to hear this, and not just about welding. Very inspirational 👏
Honestly I dig this video, because I’m a music artist an it’s something that really makes me truly happy but that’s just the thing I can’t make it in the music industry without good money to provide to that hobby so welding has always been a option to learn just the knowledge base on it is good to have, I was raised on a ole saying an that saying is “the more you know the more valuable you become”
Bro we both have the same plan I rap so I wanna be a welder so I can provide for myself and my music dream
Update? Musician here looking into welding
With that mentality and the way you speak with passion about metal working, I think you’d be a fantastic Blacksmith
Welding has to be one of the roughest trades out there, and one of the most dangerous(immediate and long term) jobs you can do. Everyone who asks me if they should become a welder or get into it i steer them away. 9/10 people cant hack it to a level where you make the big bucks and if you do get good enough and work hard enough there doesn't seem to be a lot of old retired welders out there enjoying all that coin they made along the way.
It is a tough road but anything worth doing will ever be easy. I still love my trade even though the tough times I’ve been through, it’s all perspective I guess
It’s not one of the most dangerous job. The crazy part about it truck driving is more dangerous than welding that’s the crazy part
@@hellrazer2610 I see lots of old truckers. Don't see very many old welders. I doubt cancer gets recorded as a job hazard. Most welders are not doing the work that pays either. You start working 100 ft up on steel or cutting well heads off and the pay goes up dramatically along with the risk.
@@KeneticOutdoors yea u do have a point
@@KeneticOutdoors these days foods can give us cancer so Welding shouldn’t scare anyone
This is the exact thing i thought about for years as a carpenter. Ive done A LOT of project work with wood and there were many times those projects needed fabrication and welding. I had a mentor friend who worked as a shop teacher and had 40+ years experience welding so I bought the metal and he taught me the basics of welding. I built my own flatbed, fromt bumper and headache rack. I worked with 1/16, 3/8 sheet metal, flat bar and C channel. Aluminum and steel. As we did these projects i learned how creative I could be with it and I i LOVED it. We talked about myself going to school for it and i really wanna learn structural and pipe welding, arc and mig. I now have plans to go to school for it and get a career in it because i enjoy the challenges and how creative you can be with it.
That was suppose to say 3/16 and 3/8
These are the best steps imo to becoming a welder.
Before you think of going to welding school which you might eventually do. The first things you need to do is
1. Get some good welding books.
2. Buy a welder AC-DC and if you can't hook it up to your house then you need to buy a generator that can handle the welder you have.
3. Source your metal from the dump they have it all separated which makes it easy to source.
4. Practice, practice, practice
5. Get hired on as welders helper put in a few years get used to the trade and what's expected.
6. Go to welding school if you decide to.
7. Apply as an apprentice. You may be able to apprentice right away under the welder you were working for when you were a helper which is a bonus but might be unlikely.
Those are the steps I wish I would've taken instead of going straight into welding school. I feel my career would have gone much smoother had I taken those steps in that type of order. My first year in welding school was a disaster and I felt that many where setup to fail it. Nothing compares to real life experience over school. Once you gain that things are so much easier in school.
I would say go into the military, or else work somewhere you can learn on the "points-system". The main problem with welding is that it is a job nobody wants to share their knowledge with people who can potentially take their job.
Just got laid off as an apprentice electrician and now I’m thinking about welding. This video was great because I thought welding was all about welding anything and not about a specific path. I have 2 questions for you. 1) what made you choose being a pipe welder? 2) what have you heard, good and bad, about someone who welds, say cars and bikes, in a garage environment. That path sparked interest in me most.
Personally, I became a pipe welder for the money. lucky for me I ended up loving it. Most shop work pays less. but you could always work a field job while building up your shop.
i’m in 11th grade and this really hits me that you honestly should do something you enjoy
My son is starting welding school. This is very informative, and appreciated!
I have a back ground of being artist, welding never crossed my mind, when I got into welding skyrocket from there, my first job was to get the experience structural then to assembly then to code (high pressure), all with 3 years, now going on 7yrs on the job and 2yrs of training I'm doing well off then my classmates from training, taking initiative is not being a kiss ass, it doing your job without being told and its a rare trait now days, being at a job to get a pay check wont get you far, being there because you want to it will take you places, ive got my down days but I enjoy what I do everyday, sleep!!! eat!!! weld!!! repeat!!!
100% you will get out of life what you put into it!
i’ve been out of school for 3 years and i’ve been studying around welding and i’ve decided this is what i really wanna do…this video made me want to do it anymore i love building and taking things apart been doing it since i was 5 used to take my dads tools and open my toys up to see whats inside and close them back up
I want to weld broken hearts and open minds! #weldordie!
Good luck!
Give all you can
Lmao “and open minds!”
How much does that pay?
@@Quantum3695 doesn't pay monetarily
I'm so glad my high school is in a county that has tech programs from juniors and seniors. I start in a few days and I'm so excited to have someone teach me where to start.
My friends always talked about the big money of welding and I didn’t mind it I’ve been enjoying doing audio production/film but I’ve took shop classes this year and I haven’t enjoyed mechanicing or maching but I’ve been getting to weld in my shop class and I’ve really enjoyed it so far.
Boss you hit home with the thinking of what you want. I've always been fascinated with metal working starting with smelting and forging knives, swords, axes, ect. Once I got to the point of armour I played with the idea of welding. I fell into the blazing furnace and now I'm looking to expand more after building a motor hoisting contraption for car engines and helping a buddy fix his boat during salmon season in Alaska patching his block which is important for bringing in the net. 2k for a quick puddle jumper flight and a couple silvers to cook and jerky up for the road after payment.
I’m currently going to school for automotive, i wanna get into welding so i could make my own offroad parts and sell them
Thank you so much for this weldingbeast... about to start on 4 week welding course. Looking forward to give it my all💯 to learn this trade. Your video helped me alot to really plan and think ahead of whats to come.
I’m 17 and I’m in an engineering program I’m looking into welding. I’ve tried it out I’m not great at it of course but I really like it. I’m thinking of going into a program for welding that I can for free. I love welding I love making things it makes me so happy thinking about it. I of course would like to make a lot of money to make sure I’m stable. But I also really like the craft. I’m also an artist so I think it would be a cool way to make art. I’m looking into construction welding. Underwater welding. Or maybe something at a company called Paul muller or any of the business I know of. I’d love to go do as much as I can. I need to do more research of the job I want that goes with welding. I’m going to keep doing more and more research. I love welding even if I’m not good at it. I want to keep practicing.
I'm also 17 and going into a welding program soon. I don't know if you'll see this but I just wanted to ask since I have my own insecurities about going into this profession. I've welded in the past but it's been about a year and I wasn't great at it either but I really loved it. Since you said you also tried welding but you're not great at it, are you nervous about going into a program since you won't have the experience and knowledge of many others? I know I am so I just wanted to ask to see if it's common or am I not right for this field.
Me too girl !!! Yes !!!!
GREAT video. There's PLENTY of broke wleders and tradesmen of all kinds out there. Also plenty if broke doctors and lawyers too. Lack of vision or/and an addiction of some sort is usually the issue with skilled people that don't have much to show for their efforts after years of hard work.
100% agree. Direct and on point explanation of the reality of the trade. I took a general apprenticeship in a welding shop that didn't cater to the actual welding that I wanted to do, subsequently creating wasted time that could have been spent learning the direct style of welding I wanted to partake in. Solid video.
Welding IS precious!
It holds the world together
I'm 55, worked as a teacher and in the healthcare field. Now I'm thinking of a career change. Welding keeps coming to mind. If nothing else, I'd like to learn how to weld for my own edification.
Wish I would've saw this video before I got into this student loan...I don't even weld anymore
I’m watching in December 2024😂.. welding isn’t for everyone.. I love this shit
I am currently aiming to be a mechatronics engineer but I am taking a welding class in my high school just in case I may ever need to know it or if I need a backup plan in case I can't get the desired career path.
Edit: I do enjoy welding so far and because I only needed 2 more credits to graduate from Highschool I chose a bunch of classes that I found had to do with mechatronics and such and i am even signing up for apprenticeship program. Nothing is guaranteed to happen but I do feel I am taking the right path for a happy future as I happen to enjoy many of the things that goes into the job
thank you for your knowledge, i'm in high school right now and you probably just saved me a lot of time and money.
What’s your opinion on underwater welding? Do you think the moneys worth being away from life for 6 months?
So crazy! I was talking to my teacher about that and he said. " Really?... well. It's cool! You can make a lot of money but it's short lived and your mouth with forever taste like tin" lol 😂🥰💋 #ilovewelding
This is great advise, a good realistic way to look at welding as a career
Myself I had been welding for about 16 or 17 years before I had a welding class in trade school as a Union Ironworker apprentice. When the instructor came over and questioned my technique without knowing anything about me or time I had under the hood I simply and politely said to him "how about I weld this plate to the table on one side and we can hammer it over flat and if it breaks off I'll adjust the way I weld to however you think I should". It didn't break and then he asked how long I'd been welding LOL, when they decided to make a bending fixture for bend testing plates he came over and asked me to stitch it together.
So you're right on the money with choosing a path, a direction and a career. Then you should choose the appropriate way and type of welding to learn. As always I suggest an apprenticeship, get paid to learn, and if you can land a union apprenticeship you'll get a pension with benefits out of it too.
I agree with that 100%, the apprenticeship did me good
@@Welderbeast I think it's the best way to go, I did it to be a machinist when I was 18and again when I joined as a Union Ironworker at 28.
I appreciate this because I didn’t know what I wanted to do in welding and now I’m going to figure it out and enjoy what I do! I appreciate it! Need this in so many ways, because I don’t have anyone to help me to start the plan, and didn’t know where to start this is what I need this.
Saved me thousands of dollars. I need to re-evaluate what trade to get into. I was looking at dollars and that’s not a good idea. I’m thinking about being an electrician but I got so much time to think. Prey for me!
Update?
I was going to go into funeral directing, and was going to apply to mortuary school this year. I stopped short because I realized the job would probably suck my soul dry and keep me in poverty. I’ve always liked working with my hands and my boyfriend is a bricklayer and suggested welding. I was looking at it and I’m sort of obsessed with getting my hands on welding. Hopefully making some moves to get into the trade this year.
Going to welding school, and I got with one where the teachers actually care what you learn. I’ve heard shitty stories about stick programs while I learned almost everything about stick and it’s on to tig which I just finished my 2g on