Looking for some input on welding careers

[BrShan01]

Im currently working on my AAS in welding technology and I'll have my degree mid December, though I plan to go back for an extra semester in advanced pipe so I'll be done with all schooling in May 2017.

Anyway, I was looking at the different options and I think I'd like to set up a welding rig and do mobile repair or pipeline if I can get in. I have a 3yr old son 50% of the time so I'd like to stick around Minnesota unless I'm making pipeline money to justify the time away.

Im curious what people in the "know" would recommend for someone starting out, does it make sense to buy a 3500 dually and start setting it up or wait till I find work? From the looks of it, pipeline guys will need a rig before they even interview? I have a 2012 2500 duramax I could use with a trailer for the time being...

[xryan]

I wouldn't go buying another truck and $20-40K worth of welding equipment unless you have DEEP pockets and lots of pre-booked work. Get a gig using someone else's equipment. Pay for your stuff cash, then start out on your own after you have a few years experience. Seeing you have a truck, setup and build your own trailer and start out with a nice used engine drive and find a few side jobs...having a paycheck every week it a lot easier than running your own show.

[RobC]

Im currently working on my AAS in welding technology and I'll have my degree mid December, ... I think I'd like to set up a welding rig and do mobile repair or pipeline if I can get in. ... From the looks of it, pipeline guys will need a rig before they even interview?

Congrats.

Tons of people (most not any good) do 'Mobile', and you must know someone to be considered for Pipeline.

Can you run 1/8" 6010 down @ 500 amps without looking (no Helmet); no Pipe for you.

[Olivero]

Can you run 1/8" 6010 down @ 500 amps without looking (no Helmet); no Pipe for you.

Sounds a little rough? That really how its done?

[griff01]

Congrats.

Tons of people (most not any good) do 'Mobile', and you must know someone to be considered for Pipeline.

Can you run 1/8" 6010 down @ 500 amps without looking (no Helmet); no Pipe for you.

500 amps?? Really.

Griff

[RobC]

6", 4 tacks, 3/32 land, 1/8 gap. Just shove it in and drag.

Try 200 first, forget 5. It would be one Stick down each side and so thin you'd be scared to attempt the Fill. Needless to say we're talking about absolutely perfect results.

Your friend will will let you know they're interested and do the Intro. Bridges and Pipelines are a lot of lives and a lot of money.

The hard way would be to start with 'no pressure' clean water (like Storm Sewer Pipe), then no pressure important Pipe (like sewer, or Mill runoff), next up is clean water low pressure (like from the water tower to the homes) - if it blows you have a water spill. Then a Dam, next could be Oil since it spills slow and burns poorly, etc. You'll be elderly before you get to Gas Pipeline, and the Owner's son's friends will outrank you by many years.

Insurance and a big Checkbook is cheaper than a long reputation - look what happened to 'You know who' in the gulf. Nothing could console New Orleans.

YMMV. Where did you learn to weld, ask them.

Where I was at a "Vacation" meant luxurious "livin' in a ditch and getting a couple of days pay per hour" in the middle of nowhere - they'd come back months later, rested and ready to look at our crap.

BCIT, if that's your next question.

[ryanjones2150]

I'm lost...I have no idea what you just said. <br />
<br />
But...I would love to see some stick welding done with a 1/8" rod at 500 amps.

[griff01]

I'm lost...I have no idea what you just said. <br />
<br />
But...I would love to see some stick welding done with a 1/8" rod at 500 amps.

Me too!

Griff

[pat h]

6 inch pipe at 200 amps forget 500 with 1/8 rod is what your trying to say 6010???? Sounds like bs to me on a root I would like to see it

[pat h]

I'm lost...I have no idea what you just said. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But...I would love to see some stick welding done with a 1/8" rod at 500 amps.

30 yr UA member myself and I have no clue. Root with 6010?? On 6 inch sch 40 sounds like to me 3/32 land 1/8 gap 90amp maybe depends on the legnth of the leads as low as 75 200 amp you would need a lot of cable out not to blow away the land I use 220 or so with 6010 to cut holes for weldlets and hanger brackets in stead of pulling out oxy act tanks

[RobC]

I'm lost...I have no idea what you just said. <br />
<br />
But...I would love to see some stick welding done with a 1/8" rod at 500 amps.

You read the part about doing it by feel with no Helmet and it was absolutely perfect. Or did the others just chime in...

[RobC]

Im currently working on my AAS in welding technology and I'll have my degree mid December, though I plan to go back for an extra semester in advanced pipe so I'll be done with all schooling in May 2017.

Anyway, I was looking at the different options ...

Im curious what people in the "know" would recommend for someone starting out...

Try to avoid joining a Union that doesn't pay enough, often large places will be Unionized; they aren't Union because the Owners are everyone's pal and if they don't pay a lot there's something going on.


I looked up how much the Rates at the UA (a Union, with Pipefitters and Welders) are and the Master Agreement in the US seems to be that the exact Rate is set on a "Shop by Shop Basis". In Canada I was able to find this:

Fabrication Shop Collective Agreement – UA Local 488 – page…14

Classification and Wage Rates Effective Date Base Rate (A) ISIT Fund (B) Vac. Pay & S.H.P. (C) Health & Welfare (D) Pension (E) Training (F) Supp. Ben. (G) Total (H)

GENERAL FOREMAN ($7.50) 07-May-16 53.29 0.20 5.33 2.04 6.61 0.60 0.10 68.17

...

UA JOURNEYMAN STEAMFITTER B PRESSURE WELDER (100%) 07-May-16 45.79 0.20 4.58 2.04 6.61 0.60 0.10 59.92

ALBERTA JOURNEYMAN STEAMFITTER JOURNEYMAN WELDER WITH CWB AND “C” PROVISIONAL WELDER (90%) 07-May-16 41.19 0.20 4.12 2.04 6.61 0.60 0.10 54.86

...

1ST YEAR APPRENTICE & METAL TRADES WORKER (up to 1000 hour probation) (50%) 07-May-16 22.80 0.20 2.28 2.04 3.31 0.60 0.10 31.33
...
.

If somebody knows someone there maybe they can put in a good word for me. If the General Foreman has any requirements to have sentences start with the word "Listen" then they'll have to look after that on their own.

The General Foreman doesn't make enough that I want them poking around my work area.

The Rates are not high enough.

Starting Rate is too low - if you think I know FA and were thinking of starting me at that Rate you can call the ... (because the Rules of conduct for this Forum forbids me from saying or doing what I would in person that's the end of it).


BrShan01, There are lots of non-Union places and Unions that set a low Rate - not worth it. At least at a non-union you won't be Blacklisted. Try Propane Tanks if you want Pressure Welding at somewhere that it is important and that you have a chance for your Resume to be accepted (without being someone's buddy).

[ryanjones2150]

You lost me again. <br />
<br />
...but that part about welding without a hood is also interesting to me.

[Olivero]

RobC I am just genuinly curious at this point. Have you ever done pipe, any certification? Field experience? Years under the hood?

What your saying does not make a lot of sense in my eyes as any pipeline welder either welds from the outside, or the inside but in either case WEARS THEIR HOOD. The only time I ever saw anybody weld without a hood or myself for that matter, is tacking or taking my lens out and using a mirror to weld because I can't get around to see the puddle but I seriously doubt anybody would weld a pipe without looking no matter how good they are. The UV alone would bother you enough to move after running an 1/8" rod at 200 amps down hill a pipe which you eventually have to weld under. Just doesn't make sense, so tell me.

What's the info based on?