Anyone ever learn to weld?

[monkeyboy]

is it a viable occupation?

 

[Alaska Catdog]

I don't weld but I lived with a welder. He actually taught welding. He was about three years into it and was making about $23.00 an hour. This was about 8 years ago. Welding can pay well. Especially here in Alaska but there is a trade off. Welding is very hard manual labor and you expose yourself to toxic noxious fumes and chemicals. It's hard on your body and you won't want to be doing it in 15 to 20 years. It's viable, you can live off it for sure but you may destroy your lungs and back in the process.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I don't weld, but I knew a guy who did. He made a fortune.

He said that if welding is done correctly, the finished product is stronger than if it had been one piece. He followed by saying that most welders did a bad job, and he wasn't one of those "I'm better than others" kind of show-offy people.

To me, there is something very manly and cool about welders.

 

[Alice's Mom]

My Dad is a welder.

He has been a welder since he left the army, so about 25 years now. It's a rough job working in hot, stuffy, loud shops. He is very hard of hearing even with diligent wearing of ear plugs. He really talked up going to college, he didn't want my brother or I in the same type of job.

I grew up in a 2 income household and my parents did alright raising 2 kids. Right as I was getting ready to go to college he joined Local 44 and now works in the entertainment industry building sets and doing special effects. I think he really enjoys his work now, especially when he gets to blow things up.