Thread: My journey as an Apprentice Welder

Thanks Lou, that link was very informative. I was curious, are there any books you would recommend to anyone starting out?

Cheers

UglyDan

Gidday Dan

No books to recommend to date Ive found most books pretty dry technical and sprayed with a lot of information I dont need............they also tend to cost a fortune!

Lucky for us theres some great resources right here on the internet!

Heres some of my personal favorites:

Welding Tips and Tricks - TIG, MIG, Stick and a pantload of other info
Sheet metal fabrication news, rss, downloads, tutorials
TheFabricator
Welding-Plan Advice and Practical Solutions for welders...
Miller - Welding Equipment - MIG/TIG/Stick Welders & Plasma Cutting
Hobart Welders
http://weldingweb.com/index.php

Also theres some excellent Welding stuff on UTube its well worth having a look around I can remember being awe struck by watching some gun tig welders walking the cup 4 the 1st time.....................Amazing stuff!!!!!

Regards Lou

Good to see a lot of enthusiasm for the metal trades from both new and old tradespersons alike!

I spent some time at uni and ended up with a degree no employer wanted, spent some time in food transport, which paid the bills (quite well actually) but engineering had always been my passion. I had an offer to become a welder/fabricator and I took it.

My love of welding started when I was rebuilding a HK Holden and instead of following the quick and lovely fibreglass & bog approach to rust repairs I bought myself a little Transmig 135 and replaced the rust with steel instead. The projects got bigger and better from there.

I moved on from the first enginnering company to another after the first closed down, and I was constantly frustrated that my wages were half that of the so called 'tradesmen', especially after they told me stories of their trade school experiences - which they treated as boozy holidays from work, drinking to 3am, sleeping in their clothes and pulling on their boots at 6am to go to TAFE. These so called tradesmen would then come to me figure out their problems or interpret drawings.

Finally a lot of my self-taught talent was recognised and I have been a CAD/CAM programmer for the last seven years- some would say tradesperson's dream- but the reality is that it is another mundane desk job.

I started going to TAFE about five years ago (at age 33) and now I have a diploma in engineering as well as several qualifications in welding. The TAFE welding instructors (one in particular) practically begged me back to take it further, he thought I was so good.

My ultimate goal was to get out of programming and get back on the tools as a welder but through a strange twist of fate my back #### itself and since I have had surgery I have to watch myself, but my current employer heard my frustration about wanting to leave so he hired another programmer, sacked the production manager (who appeared to have plans for ruthless world domination) and gave me his job!

The moral of the story: employers (the good ones) recognise diversity of talent and if you have changed from another career to become a welder will you stand out from the crowd, and the opportunities will be many and varied. You will be seen to have more drive, flexibility and willingness to learn.

At very least, you will be making choices about your own destiny which a huge portion of the human race seem incabable, and follow the careers that they have fallen into by accident, like a stylus in the groove of a record. Those dickheads in your trade classes fall into this catagory.

To those girls trying to get into the trade- you go girl! Real feminism (ie equality) starts in the work shop, and all you blokes should do your best to make them feel welcome. A much better idea than this 'politically correct reverse discrimination' that sends women directly to management that has existed for the last decade or so. Let us not forget that women built many of the tanks, planes etc that allowed us to speak (type) English today.

all good lou but remember, " those who can, do. those who can't, teach." You will do well if you keep your attitude and ethics with you out in the field and learn a few tricks from the old boilys in the real world....good on ya for telling it like it is and all the best. old mate.

Yiiiiippppppeeeeeeee

Ive officially just completed 3rd year and all my TAFE! Thx to all that have helped me out along the way is a great feeling being on the downhill run..........................

Heres a great Welding related resource page that ive found really handy from time to time:

Welding and Joining Resources: Types of Welding, History and Welding School Directories

So I guess the next step is to start thinking about where to from here???

At this stage ive decided to focus on developing my Tig and Stick skills further N not to far down the track go for my pressure tickets!

Its time to start thinking about how to make some cash lol n lots of it!!!!! Must admit i certainly aint gonna miss apprentice wages!!!!!

Regards Lou

Originally Posted by NewLou

Yiiiiippppppeeeeeeee

Ive officially just completed 3rd year and all my TAFE! Thx to all that have helped me out along the way is a great feeling being on the downhill run..........................

Onya Lou!

Originally Posted by NewLou

Yiiiiippppppeeeeeeee

Ive officially just completed 3rd year and all my TAFE! Thx to all that have helped me out along the way is a great feeling being on the downhill run..........................

Great news Lou. I remember when you started and you got rid of alot of woodwork tools. I hated that, but it looks as though it has worked out fantastic for you. Well done.

Originally Posted by Lignum

Great news Lou. I remember when you started and you got rid of alot of woodwork tools. I hated that, but it looks as though it has worked out fantastic for you. Well done.

Thx Lignum

Miss hanging out with you guys in the Woodies section but once im back on my feet cant wait to get a bunch a new tools finish my workbench n get back into it. Was hard selling all my gear but was able to get a great little tig welder with the proceeds thats allowed me to really develop some skills...........................

..........................................Almost there !!!!!

Regards Lou

Hey NewLou,

Been reading your threads for awhile now, so thanks for sharing, i reacon a few of us picked up some great info.

Well done on completing TAFE! Must feel great

Well Its official

The boss signed me off last week..................

Ive become a Tradie (Scary thought huh) and officially finished my apprenticeship!!!!!!!!!!!

Whoooooooooooooo Hooooooooooooooooo!

A big thanks to all the well wishers n mentors along the way it all helps

Regards

Lou

Well Done Lou!

Congratulations Lou,

I can only wish that more young apprentices will be as interested and conscientious about their chosen trade, as you are.

Well done Mate!

Grahame

Onya Lou!

wow the last few years went quick,

have a nice new year with the pay rise