young or old

[Bert]

"because even the dumbest welder you ever meet will know a trick you don't."
sounds like a man with PLENTY experience!!! Got pics of your work?

[odleo]

I guess I am one of th late comers to welding at AGE 42. I did have some exposure to stick welding while in college, but no type of training, just told to burn the metl togather. Read use lots of stick and pray.

[Bert]

Odleo

Wow, I'm 46 now, been in the Ironworker's union for 2 years this August, and started the 2 year voc-ed program when I was 42 (seems like yesterday!). So I guess I started same as you!!! Welcome to the board, what kind of stuff are you welding?

[WelderBoy]

I was 19 years old.

[jonnymag]

Hey Bert,

Don't feel so bad. I'm 53 and just started welding this year. Took an adult ed class -- not even voc-tech. Learned to weld -- from you

[dabar39]

Hey Bert,

Don't feel so bad. I'm 53 and just started welding this year. Took an adult ed class -- not even voc-tech. Learned to weld -- from you

Now that's scary. Dave

[Bert]

Dave

AW SHADDUP!!! They were looking for people with basic knowledge who wanted to teach a basic class, so I got in. Easy to run beads on coupons!!!
Jonnymag, THANKS A LOT BUDDY!!!!

[JimYoung]

I am 69, guess I started welding at 66 when I asked my gate welder to teach me how... 30 min class, bought his old 90 amp Millermatic, and have been having fun ever since. I don't really consider myself a welder... I just "glue metal together with Steel glue" but I have fun and thats what counts..
Not to mention all these "family heirlooms" that I am leaving behind..
Jim

[jonnymag]

Now that's scary. Dave

Actually, he was a pretty good instructor.

[fun4now]

started with O/A around 13-14ish. did it for a year or 2 then moved so i had no more toy.
played a little more with O/A for about 6 months be for going in the army at 18. started playing with steel again about 7 years ago when i got broken and stuck at home. started again with O/A then added MIG and plasma about 6 years ago. added TIG stick welder 2 years ago but just started playing with Stick about 4months ago?? i have burned about 20 sticks. i think stick will be a good skill to have but prefer TIG and MIG for the most part. i have always been a take it apart and fix it or break it and start over kinda guy so welding just falls right into place for me as a hobby. although i consider myself purity good at most processes (except stick ) i see my self as some one that can weld, not as a welder. i also feel i learn some thing new every time i strike an arc and figure i will be learning for a long time.
OH ya i'm.........42 i think, who keeps track after the big ones like 18 & 21 after that its just another year of no real importance.

[HMW]

Gosh Fun4now your OLD......




ps: I'm 43

[fun4now]

Gosh Fun4now your OLD......

see what happens when you keep track, you get old, if you stop counting you get to stay young.

[dabar39]

Actually, he was a pretty good instructor.

I was just busting Bert's chops a little, sometimes the best teachers are the ones who are still learning and not the ones who think they know it all. Dave

fun4now, HMW, my God how do you old guys do it?
I keep trying to convince myself that I'm 25 years old, it's my body that say "Hey you're almost 45, you can't do these things like a kid anymore".

[Bert]

Working backwards...

After I hit 45, I do like my friend does, and start working backwards
Next year, I'll be 43
Dabar, I know you were kidding, I love welding a lot, since I'm still new to it, I get all the info I can and share it. Hard to be an expert at everything (all processes), when we only have 1 lifetime!!!

[odleo]

Bert

I try to weld any metal I can get my hands on. I have been slowly and I mean very slowly building a welding table. Have been using a couple saw horses with a piece of ply on top till I get the base of the table finished. I will try to get some pics and post them. I have a cheap little welder, all I could afford only runs on 110 and uses flux core
My brother in law has tried to help me but he gave up and told me I was useless at learning.
I guess he is so good that he no longer needs to work a job where welds.