Welding student

[John K Jordan]

(This could probably be posted in metal working but I thought it was more of a general-interest note)

A young friend who cares for and trains our horses enrolled in an adult welding course in early January. Her only previous experience with welding was a class in high school.

It turns out she is good at it too and was picked yesterday for a competition involving welding overhead. The competition is in less than a week so to let her get in some extra practice she built a free-standing stand this afternoon in my little welding shop. The test samples will be tacked high on the post for welding.

I had an old truck brake drum for the base, some 1x3 rectangular tubing for the post, and cut some angle iron for bracing inside the brake drum. The thing is sturdy! (the little flat piece of scrap welded in the middle of the post is simply a place to attach the ground clamp.)

The test pieces have to be stick welded so we moved the MIG and TIG welders out and the Hobart AC/DC stick welder in. Fortunately I have about 4 tons of steel in my steel storage shed so all the materials were on hand!

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I am thrilled when a young person takes a genuine interest in such things! It’s really nice to have the facilities and everything on hand.

BTW, I have three people on the list to come for welding lessons and all of them are women - and oddly, all are evolved with raising and caring for animals. (What is it with young guys today - too busy with computers and sports?)

JKJ

[Jack Frederick]

John, it is good of you to make your knowledge and space available. I was a fitter/welder back a couple lifetimes ago working on power houses, pipelines, refineries, etc. If I do say so myself, I was slick. I will also say those days are long gone and I stick to MiG only today. Is she running 6010? I’ve had a lot of people over the years say they wanted to learn to weld, but as you know, you have to show up. Good for the girls!

[Lisa Starr]

I'm always happy when I hear of a person wanting to learn a trade. It doesn't matter whether it is electrician, welder, plumber, machinist....

Good for you John for helping her excel.

[Steve Eure]

It has been proven over and over that women have steadier hands then men do. My oldest daughter took welding in FFA in high school some 16+ years ago and went to the Ga. FFA State Convention and won the competition. Really peeved all the young men there who competed against her. She immediately was offered a job locally welding that would have paid a nice salary, but turned it down for other interest. I still call on her to do some for me around the farm.

[Dan Hulbert]

My son-in-law taught my 8 year old granddaughter to weld. She loves it and can't wait for their next project. My daughter cut down a set of welding leathers for her. My granddaughter is 9 now and just joined the wrestling team at school. She is one tough cookie. She really enjoyed pinning the boys.

[Ronald Blue]

John, it is good of you to make your knowledge and space available. I was a fitter/welder back a couple lifetimes ago working on power houses, pipelines, refineries, etc. If I do say so myself, I was slick. I will also say those days are long gone and I stick to MiG only today. Is she running 6010? I’ve had a lot of people over the years say they wanted to learn to weld, but as you know, you have to show up. Good for the girls!

6010....it's fantastic to learn with and a great root pass rod too. Also show's your errors and helps you get better. 95% of my welding was repair welding which has it's own challenges. Sometimes one had to be a contortionist in order to make the weld. That was after lot's of prep work in most instances. Still though there was satisfaction in a job well done. In some instances you knew it wasn't going to hold but you had to get it so it could be moved out of the way.

[Ronald Blue]

John you are doing a great thing helping people whether it's in woodworking or metalworking. Fabulous that you help others succeed in various ways. As for why no males are interested is a great question for which I have no answer. Is there no guys in the welding class your young friends welding class?

[Tom M King]

I'm betting she should win the competition. I'm always proud for anyone who wants to learn how to do something.

My Dad was a welder of ships hulls in WWII. He welded until he died from Meso at 88. His hands would shake, but he could still lay down a pretty bead in time to the hand shaking. I have a dual axle trailer he built when he was 84. I asked him many times to teach me how to weld, but he never wanted me to do it.

When I was building one of my spec houses in 1991, I became good friends with a guy next door that was building his own house himself. I answered questions about building a house every day, and we would go over to help him stand up a wall after he had one ready. He had been a head welder for NASA during the Apollo program, and when that ended he spent another career teaching welding, and machine work at a school in Northern Virginia. When he retired, they closed the program, and sold him all the equipment cheap. He served two terms as the President of some National Welding Association, or Society, I forget the exact name. Chuck not only has stuff sitting on the Moon that he welded, but he figured out how to weld stuff that had never been welded before.

When he died in 2012, he left he all his tools. They're still all packed in a couple of buildings at his place, but I've been too busy to build a shop for them. He taught me how to weld, mainly because he had a pacemaker, and was afraid to use a welder, so he called me over when he wanted something welded. He was always building something. That led to him teaching me how to weld, when he saw that I could do something he already had set up when he told me how he wanted it done. I wish he could see the welders I have now.

[Maurice Mcmurry]

The welding instruction in our High Schools is now only books and a welding simulator. It is a real shame. I use what I learned in the FFA every day.

[John K Jordan]

…. Is there no guys in the welding class your young friends welding class?

There are several guys in the class. She said they aren’t progressing very quickly for some reason, maybe not as motivated. This girl is determined to make a career out of it.

[Lawrence Duckworth]

Hmmm.....back in 2009, when the economy tanked my son paid to have three of the guys certified G4 thinking he'd have to let them go... (so they could try to get jobs out west on the pipeline or oil fields, thankfully it never came to that). I remember the guy that tested them came down from Tennessee. ??? was that by chance you John?

[John K Jordan]

... Is she running 6010? I’ve had a lot of people over the years say they wanted to learn to weld, but as you know, you have to show up…

6010 for the root pass, 701? for the rest. I should know, I picked up the rods!

I was a welding inspector in the 70’s and worked as NDT to nuclear specs so I know good welds from bad but I never learned to stick weld until maybe a dozen years ago. I’m a lot better at MIG and TIG but use the stick on some stuff around the farm. Those welders will also work on 110v at reduced power so I can use them more places. I learned to weld thin stock with gas and when I got the TIG was surprised at how similar they are.

Good clean fun! I probably weld more things for friends than I do for myself but that’s part of the joy of life!

[Zachary Hoyt]

I taught myself to weld with a book on farm welding that a friend loaned me, using my grandfather's old Lincoln 225 AC stick welder and 6011 rod. I can't make very pretty welds, but I can welds things so they stay together even under a heavy load. I made the log arch out of a trailer I bought for $25 at an auction. It was 2 feet wider and 1 foot lower, so I cut two sections out of the top and welded them to the axles and welded the top back together, and welded a pair of Allis WC frame rails together to make the boom. I like the arch because I can carry logs up to 17 or so feet long and 24" in diameter without the log touching the ground, so they stay a lot cleaner when they get to the sawmill. I even carried a maple log once that was 25 feet long and 28" or so at the butt, since it tapered so much that the weight was balanced even with the skinny end sticking out 16 feet or so beyond where the chain from the boom was wrapped around it.

Being able to weld has made life here on the farm much easier over the last 5 years since I can weld things myself when they break, like the time when the PTO shaft carrier under the tongue of the haybine came loose. We used to have to either call a very good welder who also had a regular job so it would take 2-3 weeks till he could get us in, or else take things to a person in the nearby hamlet who could weld very well drunk or sober but was not easy to talk to or get along with. It was best to go see him in the morning.

[Jim Becker]

I have a friend in the equestrian world who is a young female, small in stature, and recently achieved full status as a Millwright. She's done a lot of welding up at the top of windmills in the past couple of years. 300' up in the air. :)

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I'm considering adding some welding to my routine once I have a shop building and will likely look for an adult course in the area myself.

[Frederick Skelly]

Good on ya, John!
And good luck to her. Do let us know how it goes!
Fred

[Tom M King]

Let us know how the competition turns out.

[John K Jordan]

I'm always happy when I hear of a person wanting to learn a trade. It doesn't matter whether it is electrician, welder, plumber, machinist....

Good for you John for helping her excel.

I am exceedingly blessed. One of my justifications for having this farm is to have a place for kids of all ages to come! Depending on the age (and level of common sense/coordination!) I might teach them to operate the tractor, dig a hole with the excavator, put them to work cleaning up llama manure, plant or pick something in the garden, collect eggs or even take home chicken for the freezer, try their hand at the sawmill/woodturning/burning/carving. So many kids today live in the city or suburbs and never have the chance to get out to somewhere other than a park.

This girl has been coming to the farm since about 13, her mother would bring her for the animals. She's around so much now it's like we acquired a granddaughter (every one of our own kids and their children are boys!) I first met her at a llama sanctuary at shearing time and was impressed when she ran down and caught a rogue llama by herself that no one else could catch! Her goal is that the welding will help support her animal interest. She keeps her horse here and we trade work for feed and boarding.

She's one of the best I've seen for care and training, so much knowledge, patience and empathy, almost thinks like horse/llama/donkey! Here she is working with my new Rocky Mtn gaited horse who came with almost no handling and ZERO ground training - the mare didn't know how to pick up her feet, to walk on a lead rope, to stand still, back up, would only run and not walk, spooked by everything - we think someone kept her in a stall and just jumped on her to ride occasionally. Amazing improvement in just a few months! (This is the horse I ride now.)


https://youtu.be/c_9G4jup1xQ

And here training a buckskin quarter horse.
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We tried woodturning a few years ago and she had zero interest other than leaving with a present for her aunt with a horse farm! This is a handle for a rider's crop. I ended up doing most of the turning and she sanded and carved the detail.

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When she told me was going to welding school I accidentally had extras of everything she needed: gloves, jacket, helmet, grinder, safety glasses, etc! She loves cutting and welding steel - maybe she would be interested in the milling machine or metal lathe some day.

JKJ

[Curt Harms]

When I first saw John's post my first thought was the movie "Flashdance". Some specialized welders can make a REAL nice buck. If I recall correctly, Steve Jenkins and Keith know something about that, and those jobs aren't going to China.

[Curt Harms]

.......................
This girl has been coming to the farm since about 13, her mother would bring her for the animals. She's around so much now it's like we acquired a granddaughter (every one of our own kids and their children are boys!) I first met her at a llama sanctuary at shearing time and was impressed when she ran down and caught a rogue llama by herself that no one else could catch! Her goal is that the welding will help support her animal interest. She keeps her horse here and we trade work for feed and boarding.

She's one of the best I've seen for care and training, so much knowledge, patience and empathy, almost thinks like horse/llama/donkey! Here she is working with my new Rocky Mtn gaited horse who came with almost no handling and ZERO ground training - the mare didn't know how to pick up her feet, to walk on a lead rope, to stand still, back up, would only run and not walk, spooked by everything - we think someone kept her in a stall and just jumped on her to ride occasionally. Amazing improvement in just a few months! (This is the horse I ride now.)

JKJ

I think anyone can learn to handle animals with a reasonable degree of competence. I think the top notch horse people or other animal handlers are born with that aptitude that others may never develop regardless of study and diligence. I have 4 older brothers, 2 of them were quite involved with horses. The one next to me was one of those born with the necessary skills and aptitude, he was excellent with horses and dogs. I was never really good with horses and had no real interest.

[Bill Dufour]

I had a small hyperactive student years ago. He ended up welder. His teachers discussed his career choice and agreed once he flips down his hood all distractions are gone. His small size would also allow hime to crawl into tight spaces the bigger ones can not.
Bill D

[Jerome Stanek]

I learned to weld in high school but didn't do much after that. I got a job at a trade show builder and they said to try weld some stuff and I couldn't get a good weld. tried several times but no go. I had to do a little welding job for myself and same thing I was sweating pretty hard and my glasses got all wet from sweat so I took them off and started to weld. I did a much better job and found out it was my bifocals that was messing with seeing the pieces right.

[Charlie Velasquez]

Ovethead??
With that much hair sticking out?

As a good luck present get her one of those welding sock hoods. I wouldn't trust a welding jacket to sufficiently cover the neck and all that hair.
I have only done overhead a couple of times and remember being a little nervous.
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[John K Jordan]

Ovethead??
With that much hair sticking out?
…

No need to worry. When I watched her welding today above about waist height she was wearing something that covered all hair, neck, etc. (and a good face shield & hearing protection when grinding)

We took turns on fire watch too, when I was prepping practice pieces with the plasma cutter and when she was welding/grinding. Most work is outside when weather permits. When I built the shop I added a concrete pad just outside steel double doors from the welding room which helps a lot.

[George Yetka]

6010 and 7018 are the common ones for us.
Through my apprenticeship we had welding(5 years of it) By the 4th/5th class year 1 the teacher new who they didnt need to spend time with because they wouldnt get it. I was on that list. I didnt have patience, I couldnt get my mind to slow and focus. I would get in the hood and be thinking of what I had to do for the rest of the week. My weld would come out not so great and would get frustrated. By the end I was a sufficient junkyard welder. I could weld hangers etc, but dont let me near the pipe.

[Ronald Blue]

Hearing protection not just for noise but to keep any hot slag/sparks entering the ear. If you wear a Nomex hood that works to but not for the noise. If every job was on the welding bench that might not be such a big deal. If you use an air arc then you need both at the same time. It's noisy and lot's of hot slag blowing everywhere.

[Bert Kemp]

My Grandson took welding in High School and really liked it and decided he wanted to be a welder, he's 18 and got a couple of scholarships to community collage for welding which he started last fall . He's already been offered a job at the Portsmouth Navel Yard when he graduates.
My Father was a weld in the Navy also, he welded ship hulls too. When he got out he went to work a a linemen for the Phone company and had a second job welding the big gear that rotates the buckets on the linesmen trucks.

[Patrick McCarthy]

John, sir, you are a very good man.

Best, Patrick

[Warren Lake]

Some good stories there. John good on you for your care and helping people. Screwed up world, everyone like you makes a difference. I have mig and tig here and welding blows me away how fast it is compared to woodworking other then cool down time. Great addition to a cabinet shop to be set up to weld. I got tig to modify hinges years back that I had to hire out whenever I needed to modify them. Id rather be self sufficient.

Have friends that are custom car builders one Mig only others both. When I think of welding I think of this kid I saw one day, Old guy learning from a young guy. First one if you go the end its clear they had some fun filming and likely on the edge of breaking out laughing like outtakes on a comedy show. Second one he is welding stainless.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGMq8--FylQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHVijKw3l6U

[Tom M King]

If she learns how to operate heavy equipment, she could probably get a job in Antarctica at the South Pole. My scientist friends have spent some time there, and they say they only allow women to operate the bulldozers moving snow, which they have a lot of to do. They say men break them more often, and with getting parts being what it is there....

[Bert Kemp]

If she learns how to operate heavy equipment, she could probably get a job in Antarctica at the South Pole. My scientist friends have spent some time there, and they say they only allow women to operate the bulldozers moving snow, which they have a lot of to do. They say men break them more often, and with getting parts being what it is there....

so she could drive the dozers and break then then weld them back together. LOL :eek:

[Alex Zeller]

6010 for the root pass, 701? for the rest. I should know, I picked up the rods!

I was a welding inspector in the 70’s and worked as NDT to nuclear specs so I know good welds from bad but I never learned to stick weld until maybe a dozen years ago. I’m a lot better at MIG and TIG but use the stick on some stuff around the farm. Those welders will also work on 110v at reduced power so I can use them more places. I learned to weld thin stock with gas and when I got the TIG was surprised at how similar they are.

Good clean fun! I probably weld more things for friends than I do for myself but that’s part of the joy of life!

I worked as a NDT tech about 2 decades ago. Got trained at Hellier college in RT, UT, PT, MT, and ET. Most of my summers were spent going to ski areas and testing the grips that hold the chairs onto the cables but I also did inspect valves for nuclear plants and ships (at a local factory). At one point I was almost recruited to go to China. They were building power plants at record speed and were paying insane money to get anyone they could to go. But it was in the middle of nowhere and foreigners aren't allowed to drive. So either you were working or you were hanging out at the hotel with the other techs. Returning home for vacation was a major process so it was discouraged. You could request a driver to take you around but even going to a major city was an overnight event. If it wasn't for all the driving I probably would stuck with it.

[Roger Feeley]

My son-in-law taught my 8 year old granddaughter to weld. She loves it and can't wait for their next project. My daughter cut down a set of welding leathers for her. My granddaughter is 9 now and just joined the wrestling team at school. She is one tough cookie. She really enjoyed pinning the boys.
Yikes!
And I was proud for teaching my grandsons (ages 4 & 6) to solder.

[Roger Feeley]

Fire watch. Reminds me of the time I was cutting with oxy-acetylene and a piece of slag ignited my jeans at the hem. I felt something warm and got it put out. the fire had consumed my jeans nearly to the knee. This was the early seventies so I didn’t feel it right away because of the bell bottom.

The instructor was right there and I asked him why he didn’t tell me. His reply, “You had a good cut going.” We all have our priorities.

[Roger Feeley]

If she learns how to operate heavy equipment, she could probably get a job in Antarctica at the South Pole. My scientist friends have spent some time there, and they say they only allow women to operate the bulldozers moving snow, which they have a lot of to do. They say men break them more often, and with getting parts being what it is there....
I used to work with the daughter of an SR71 pilot. She told me that the Air Force wanted pilots with a family. No bachelor dogs. I guess that only goes so far. She said he died early due to excessive drinking. Liver problems.

[Tom M King]

My friend advised me to buy a pair of slip-on leather boots in a size that was big enough for me to flip one off with my foot. That way if a hot coal went inside one, you could get the boot off without the ember continuing to burn a hole in your foot. I never did not take his advice, and one time that one paid off.

[Michael Drew]

I think it's pretty cool that you are providing this opportunity to the young lady and others. Very cool. The trades have taken a big hit in recent years. Seems the youth have been taught that tech and robots are all society needs, so they just don't care to learn how to use their hands. I spent many years as a fabricator/welder. Mostly pipe up/down stick and tig. Running around the bead with a grinder for hours every day took a tole on my body, including carpel tunnel. I ended up moving into management. I do not miss digging slag out of my ear, or burning the piss out of myself as I fight to finish a weld that's about to be X-rayed, but I do miss the making things of metal and aluminum.

I've been trying to recruit a machinist for almost a year now. This is a trade that has been commandeered by CNC programmers. There are very few, if any, manual machine operators anymore. The new apprentices learn how to chuck up a piece of metal in a 5 axis machine, and how to draw with software, and how to program an operation. They do not teach students how to run a lathe with wheels and levers anymore.

[Bert Kemp]

My friend advised me to buy a pair of slip-on leather boots in a size that was big enough for me to flip one off with my foot. That way if a hot coal went inside one, you could get the boot off without the ember continuing to burn a hole in your foot. I never did not take his advice, and one time that one paid off.

why would you wear boots that would allow that to happen. I always wear pants that hang down over the boots no chance of a spark getting in the boot:eek:

[Warren Lake]

Michael all I needed for years was done by a german trained tool and die maker with not to many machines but skilled. When he told me he could get no more work as he was not CNC I found him work making stuff for a car company, parts they needed for robotic machinery. When he no longer had his shop I went to a local CNC shop. Tons of machines super busy. I asked them to make a spacer, it was off by .125 or more the first time, I took it back they re made it and it still didnt fit. I never went back. My friend would have made it fast and simple and accurate.

[Tom M King]

why would you wear boots that would allow that to happen. I always wear pants that hang down over the boots no chance of a spark getting in the boot:eek:

I always start out like that, but sometimes crawling around gets the pants out of position-just for that rare occasion. Never heard of anyone getting a hole burned in their foot?

The time it happened to me, I was fabricating a hydraulic hose hanger on a 15' batwing mower, and had climbed over several things on the mower to get into position. I had a good instructor.