Need candid opinion. I've a new born am a healthy 56 and need to return to the permanent work force. I've in the past had 3 semesters of welding training.I'm looking for a stick tig combo welder to familiarise myself and believe will pass 4g +6g certification. Is it realistic to believe that I can get a job? Any advice is appreciated.
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Best to check the local want ads, Craigslist, etc, etc. This will give you an idea of some jobs that may be out there in your area. If you only find one or two ads then maybe your area is not so good. Some parts of the country are better than others. You can also take a ride to your lws & ask them about companies they service & who is busy vs. who is not.
Edit your post to give your location.MM250
Trailblazer 250g
22a feeder
Lincoln ac/dc 225
Victor O/A
MM200 black face
Whitney 30 ton hydraulic punch
Lown 1/8x 36" power roller
Arco roto-phase model M
Vectrax 7x12 band saw
Miller spectrum 875
30a spoolgun w/wc-24
Syncrowave 250
RCCS-14
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CANDID OPINION:
Depends on your location, but there is always work for welders who want to work. Though you might not like the pay available which Bob said. I just yesterday sat down to discuss taking a job for someone else doing fabrication in the shop and running the job sites (marine construction) for someone I know locally (western NY) I have held numerous welding certifications and have a Merchant Mariner Master licence (boat captain), college education and have been around the block a few times. I've been a project construction manager & facilities manager for big commercial real estate, built big money prototype machinery for industry and made a lot more money than currently. Basically I would be running his crews and overseeing the shop doing most of the fab work, while he tries to concentrate on the business end getting more work lined up. I'll be lucky if I can get $20/hr, although I would also try and drum up fab work to keep the shop busy and get a percentage so it "could" be beneficial for me in the long run as we and shop guys would benefit with more work and profit/bonuses for everyone.
I was making more than $20/hr just being a shop guy with 5 years under the hood welding 20 years ago...Welcome to the new American dream.
If you a union guy you're going to get more per hour, LOTS more on prevailing wage jobs, but good luck with that. You also get laid off routinely and have to start out as an apprentice's helper basically working for free before you can even get into the apprenticeship which still pays peanuts for 4 years. Back in the late 90's I finally had some of the local's call me in and offer $6/hr. I politely told them to pound salt, I'm already making $16/hr, married, have a mortgage to pay and I can get more than $6 flipping burgers.
Cheap oil being sold at a loss by the arabs is not helping any of us. North Dakota is hurting. Ship & rig building isn't really doing much better. Big manufacturing, eh.
BUT you got to do what you got to do, and if you like what your're doing it's not really a job anyway.
If you can weld you will never starve, but you might not be buying a new truck either, at least not currently.Ryan
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DYNASTY 350 w/Wireless pedal
COOLMATE 3.5
CK WF1
MILLERMATIC 350P w/Bernard BTB300 w/XR-A Python 25'
MULTIMATIC 200 w/Spoolmate 100 w/TIG w/Wireless pedal
SPECTRUM 375 X-Treme
(2) DIGITAL ELITE helmets
Weld-Mask goggles/hood
OPTREL e684 helmet
SMITH torches
HARRIS torches
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Shipyards around here are always looking to hire, although I would never work at one.2- XMT's 350 cc/cv
1- Blue star 185
1- BOBCAT 250
1- TRAILBLAZER 302
1- MILLER DVI
2- PASSPORT PLUS
1- DYNASTY 200 DX
1- DYNASTY 280 DX
1- MAXSTAR 150 STL
1- HF-251 BOX
1- S-74D
1- S-75DXA
2- 12-RC SUITCASES
1- 8-VS SUITCASE
2- 30 A SPOOLGUNS
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Originally posted by rebus1150 View PostNeed candid opinion. I've a new born am a healthy 56 and need to return to the permanent work force. I've in the past had 3 semesters of welding training.I'm looking for a stick tig combo welder to familiarise myself and believe will pass 4g +6g certification. Is it realistic to believe that I can get a job? Any advice is appreciated.
Griff
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Originally posted by griff01 View Post
Hard to find someone to help you when no one knows your location.
GriffNothing welded, Nothing gained
Miller Dynasty700DX
3 ea. Miller Dynasty350DX
Miller Dynasty200DX
ThermalArc 400 GTSW
MillerMatic350P
MillerMatic200 with spoolgun
MKCobraMig260
Lincoln SP-170T
Linde UCC305 (sold 2011)
Hypertherm 1250
Hypertherm 800
PlasmaCam CNC cutter
Fadal Toolroom CNC Mill
SiberHegner CNC Mill
2 ea. Bridgeport
LeBlond 15" Lathe
Haberle 18" Cold Saw
Doringer 14" Cold Saw
6 foot x 12 foot Mojave granite
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It depends on your area. I came right out of welding school and hired on at my present job. I was 54 years old at that time! I work at a plant that builds petroleum tankers. Most of our work is aluminum mig and tig. The company has no problems with older people, because we are coming to work on time, and being there every day. The younger workers are partying and calling in with hangovers, or whatever! My advice is to go for it!
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Originally posted by griff01 View Post
If you can read in my profile you will see that I live in (near) Ardmore Oklahoma, not in the Pacific Ocean.
GriffNothing welded, Nothing gained
Miller Dynasty700DX
3 ea. Miller Dynasty350DX
Miller Dynasty200DX
ThermalArc 400 GTSW
MillerMatic350P
MillerMatic200 with spoolgun
MKCobraMig260
Lincoln SP-170T
Linde UCC305 (sold 2011)
Hypertherm 1250
Hypertherm 800
PlasmaCam CNC cutter
Fadal Toolroom CNC Mill
SiberHegner CNC Mill
2 ea. Bridgeport
LeBlond 15" Lathe
Haberle 18" Cold Saw
Doringer 14" Cold Saw
6 foot x 12 foot Mojave granite
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Originally posted by shovelon View Post
Ok, I just don't know how to get to the profile yet. Don't know why they prohibit from listing below our avatar.
If someone did not want their exact location used they could just post a general area.
Griff
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