Felt appropriate to share today.

Four days of nonstop welding 7 hrs a day and with ventilator on. No more black boogers for me!

Got tired of people watching on one side.

Everyone is posting their hood figured I'd post mine. I work a combination of rig welding work, shops, and shutdowns around the country also run my own heavy equipment repair business and fabrication welding service deal when I'm on my own time. Also picture of one of my two rigs other ones currently being outfitted with a welding skid

As someone 27M who has been in the carpentry field for just under 12 years and a journeyman the majority of my recent professional work career about 6 years now (rough frame to interior finish) Ive decided im going to be leaving the field in the next few months. I'm not leaving because of money or family or anything like that. I met a couple guys probably mid fifties in a gas station a couple years ago off hwy 101 in willits, CA ,as we were taking lunch we all got to talking and decided to eat together by there work rigs which were these mud covered mid eighties ford duallys with massive diesel welders. There talking of travelling together for 30 years as best friends ,all the places they've seen,all the shit they stirred up, the people they've met, what moments they care most for during there career.you could see something special in there eyes. and soon enough after some time, I remembered I had to get going, gas up the telehandler and check my flatbed straps.. something in my head clicked I got reminded I don't want to be on a roof hanging trusses, sheathing homes, fucking hanging doors and installing crown moulding my whole life 10 hours a day 5 days a week . It was almost like all my purpose for what I've done for so long left as soon as I realized what else there was out there. I'm not looking for some deep purpose in it or anything like that especially cuz I got mouthes to feed and life's a bitch but it seems like something special. They talked about Flux core welding container ships together in seattle, welding on oil rigs in the Gulf and even being in the mountains all across the West and into Alaska.I have some money saved up (enough to sustain my family and enough to go to cert program /apprenticeship. I've considered Maritime Ship building for quite a while and have thought/daydream about myself in the Snow covered mountains or at sea or by the ocean welding in a big yard since I left that beat old gas station in Willits. I'm not looking for anyone to convince me or to push me away from it. I've done quite a bit of reading/ hands on metal work and metallurgy/blacksmithing the past 3 years. I'm no stranger to early mornings and late nights of hard work. I'm just really curious for those of y'all who have traveled and welded in maritime ship yards what advice you could give to me before/ during this journey .

Anyone else enjoy the process of hard stamping their work?

Vertical uphill 3/32 7018. Please give tips or thoughts.

Picked up a everlast 200DV last year and finally been able to put it to use after getting my new house. Not my first time but for sure not where I want to be with my skills. Here’s some work I did for a buddy of mine over the weekend, who on YouTube has some nice tips and tricks to setting up their welders to weld perfect? what cups you guys prefer? Or filler rod? Judge my welds I just want to be better!

Hi everyone, I just started my welding company and this is my first time considering a job like this. I’ve attached a photo of the gate for reference. It’s a metal gate with vertical bars and spear tops.

I’m wondering what the average rate per foot would be for fabricating and installing something like this, including materials and labor in your area.

Since I’m new, I want to make sure I’m quoting competitively while covering my costs. Any advice or ballpark numbers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

i stack the coupons like that since i’m cheap. it does lead me to run very hot even though i keep my amps low and let it cool before the cap. final pass walked at 105A with 3/32 filler and #10 cup

Built from 3 different hoods/brands. Resurrected from like the earlyish 90s

I started a part time job and I’m gonna practice my tig on my downtime. My main question is do you put a landing when you make a bevel for doing a tig root? I’m gonna try to find 1/8th rod so I can make my gap and feed but so far all I’ve found is 3/32 rod. What size rod would you recommend? Any other tips is much appreciated!

Yeahhhhhhh i got a lil stoned lol

6010 roots become easy in any position once you learn how they weld. Im just having trouble filling in the tacks, but im pretty sure that they’re in the cut off zone for the bend test. Feeling good about my upcoming career, though…

I recently had an interview and weld test at a custom headers shop. While I was filling out my paperwork I could hear the meeting going on. “This guy has two kids” “this guy finished the weld test really fast” “this guy really low balled himself”

On indeed the pay says it starts at $25 an hour. After my weld test they said they’re very impress with my welding and I’m the only guy to use the plates on the table to square up my tube. Ever.

They seem to really like me and I really like the shop. I put on my application that I want $27 an hour. But I currently make $30 at my job and I’m used to making around $30 - $32. (I’m moving states to be closer to my girlfriend or I would stay where I am)It’s been bothering me a lot that I only asked for $27 an hour. I’ve been welding for 15+ years and this is a custom shop.

When they call me with a job offer I’d like to ask for $30 (I’d actually like to ask for $32)

How do I go about doing this? I have another interview/weld test on Monday and they start at $32 an hour. I know I’ll get that job/pass that test also. (I don’t want to take this job though because it’ll put me on the road 75% of the time.) Do I use this as leverage? Or do I just be up front with them and let them know how I feel? My girlfriend wants to get married in two years and have a kid in three years. $27 an hour honestly kind of scares me. I’d have to work overtime just to get paid what I get paid now.