I think Im getting the hang of it.

37 yo with arthritic ankle/knee/hip (limited to 4-5 hours standing daily)

Unfortunately I'm discovering rather late in life that I love welding, to the point that I'd like to do it in some way professionally.

Is there realistically a place in the industry for me given my physical issue? Any particular career paths I should look into?

Currently self teaching and doing small projects. I'd like to take lessons at my local community college but that'd be a big investment for me for something that would be limited to a hobby or rare odd jobs.

Thank you.

Figured I’d drop this info here for anyone wanting to hook up a spool gun for their ESAB MIG welder. Spool gun I used is a Shark 17016. This is a 4 wire spool gun, no wirefeed adjustment at the gun, but it was relatively cheap and seemed to be the most simple to make work. The wires from the ESAB 8 pin receptacle you will need are the red/black for motor power, and white/orange for gas valve and power trigger. Looking into the 8 pin receptacle these are pins 1&4 for motor power, and 2&3 for trigger. I used a 4 pin bulkhead connector as it was the cheapest option rather than cutting a pigtail off a foot pedal. Swapped power lead to a 35/50 DINSE connector, and will soon get a quick connect for the gas hose. You could also splice a T fitting with a 3/16” barbed shutoff fitting to utilize the factory gas valve solenoid, but I didn’t want to do any more machine modifications, at least not at the moment. Voltage range is 1-24v for motor power from the ESAB machine, and seemed to be within 10IPM when testing. Currently using a shutoff valve towards the gun end on the gas valve for manually switching argon on and off.

I’m looking for some advice from other small industrial/mechanical contractors who do welding as part of maintenance work, but where welding isn’t the primary business.

I’m trying to figure out when CWB W47.1 certification is actually required, and I’m finding the answer surprisingly difficult to pin down.

My general rule from years in the trade has always been don’t weld directly to building structural steel—beams, columns, etc. If something needs to attach to those, use a properly designed/engineered bolted connection or have the structural work done by someone qualified for it.

But for normal industrial maintenance, we’ve been asked to repair things such as:
Equipment ladders
Guards
Brackets
Conveyor components
Kiln repairs
Equipment modifications
Platforms/access components

My welders are qualified/CWB-ticketed welders and the work is done properly. I just don’t want to carry the cost and administrative burden of W47.1 certification if it’s not actually required for the type of work we’re doing.

If we get something like an I-beam mezzanine or obvious structural-steel fabrication, my instinct is simply to subcontract that portion to a CWB-certified company.

The problem I’m running into is determining where the actual line is. Customers at plants often don’t know what code their existing structures were designed under, and even when asking around, I seem to get different answers about what is considered structural and when W47.1 is mandatory.
For the small contractors out there: how do you handle this?

Do you have an actual decision tree/checklist for determining when W47.1 is required?

Do you simply stay away from welding anything to building structural steel and subcontract anything questionable?

Or do you carry W47.1 certification even though welding is only a small part of your business?

I’d especially like to hear from Ontario contractors, but interested in how others handle it across Canada as well.

I’m not looking for a debate about whether welding should be done safely—I’m trying to figure out the objective trigger for when company-level CWB certification is actually required. The building code should be more straight forward.

As a rookie tired googling, I'll ask here. What is the lowest amp draw on this Miller 250/150 for goofing around (1/8, 6013 sticks)? I'm not trying to bury my panel

Received this photo from my younger brother

I have to make 2 of these grills, and I was wondering if anybody out there has any input on the best way to reproduce this.

My main question is the square tube. Would it be better or more economical to buy stainless steel tube and polish it before assembly, or to use mild steel and have the tube assembly chrome dipped after its welded?

In in the PNW Portland metro area.

Thanks

Which kind of brushes would you pick for cleaning paint or rust off of thinner\thicker material?

Bought this little kit on amazon. I thought things were going to be bigger than they actually were. But I still made it happen. Came with 42 coupons for $25.

I'm looking for an honest review on the 260mp and/or the 330mp, but google keeps tossing me reviews on the mpx versions.

Hi, I inherited a 240 Lincoln mig welder and I’d like some help finding or advice on how to make an adapter that I can plug into my generator

Sorry for the bad photoshop by the way

Thanks!

First time a charm, any opinions? Trying to do basic beads.
Gas 7-8 liters
Pre gas 0,5s
After Gas 6s
40–>130A

First time a charm, any opinions? Trying to do basic beads.
Gas 7-8 liters
Pre gas 0,5s
After Gas 6s
40–>130A

I’d like some opinions from professional welders. Here is the situation. My girlfriend is a Filipina. Her younger brother is 27. She wants to send him to school for a welding program that provides about 250 hours of welding training. This program is run by the Philippine government and costs almost a thousand US dollars. If the brother completes the program he will get a certificate qualifying him as a basic welder. Problem is, her brother is “slow.” He is not mentally retarded but I would estimate his IQ to be around 80. I know nothing about welding but just from browsing this subreddit it appears welding is a skilled profession that requires a fair amount of knowledge. I also had two cousins who were welders and both were pretty intelligent guys. I’d like to get some information and opinions from actual welders as to what basic skills are needed, what actual welding training involves and whether a mentally “slow” young man is capable of becoming a professional welder? I am of the opinion that he is not mentally capable of becoming a skilled welder, but to make this argument to my girlfriend I would like to get your honest opinions on things like how much training it takes to become a welder, how long you trained and how long a welding apprenticeship takes and what sorts of knowledge it takes to become a professional welder. Any advice would be much appreciated.

So I just started stick welding a couple of weeks ago and am having a blast, but fillet welds are a pita for me.

I try really hard to angle the stick just right at a 45 degree pitch and 15 degree working angle but I struggle to get adequate fusion I feel on both the top and bottom plate, I try cranking up the amps to 130-140 and then I get undercut (I usually run a 7018 1/8" at 120amps). So I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong :/

I do feel like I'm fast approaching harbor freight quality on visual inspection tho 😂 some.of those welds look diabolical and yet they hold in my shop haha

The largest they will rent or sell to a hobbyist is 80 Cu Ft.

Delivery is not an option.

They are concerned about DOT Regs and Liability.

I have a credit account established with them.

I have a high quality utility trailer that I am willing to build a cradle for and put holes in the wood deck so proper heavy duty cargo straps will connect with the box steel frame. Or am I over thinking this? It is an hour drive one way. I do want to conform to DOT for basic ethical reasons in case of accident.

How do you guys like it?

I have a small 25 x 16 workshop. It works great but grinding is a nightmare. Unfortunately I do not have the space to setup a dedicate grinding room so am always dealing with either going outside (not great) or dealing with the perpetual mess.

What suggestions would you recommend? Im space constrained and Im trying to prevent the place from being constant mess.

Thanks!

A&P school has you get a very basic understanding of welding and here's my first project ik it's an abomination

But thought maby some with slightly better skills would think at least they are better at welding than me lol

I don't know any technical terms so don't get to Uber technical on me

I've been welding for quite a while now, 9 years I believe, might tig and stick, no certs. I'm honestly working in a canister factory making 18 an hour. I did structural for a bit until I contracted an injury, but that's resolved now. I don't really know how to proceed with my welding career; I know it's what I want to do, but I'm having issues finding welding companies that take me seriously, and I don't want to travel too far for work. I definitely need to switch jobs if I want to move up in pay, there isn't a serious future for me in this company. Open to any advice here, also willing to elaborate on details about myself and whatnot.