Page 8 - HIWT Summer 2013 World of Welding

THE WORLD OF WELDING http://www.welding.org

ED LIMBERT HANGS UP HIS HELMET

Hobart Institute has “I have been in numerous factories that have manufactured
not been immune to everything from pots and pans to garbage trucks and space
the baby-boomers shuttles,” Ed explained.
reaching retirement
age. Like many, these One particular trip to China several years ago stands out in
long-time employees Ed’s mind. The landscape and the long history of the buildings
leave with a wealth and the countryside were very impressive. And there were
of knowledge while challenges to meet in the workplace too.
looking forward to a
satisfying retirement. “The company was having difficulty with cracking issues in
the stainless steel radiators for earth-moving equipment that
Ed Limbert has they were welding,” said Ed.
enjoyed a diverse
career in welding So he taught them about the effect of welding on stainless
since 1979, when he began working at Hobart Brothers steel and incorporated instruction on metallurgy as well as
Company. Thirteen (13) years ago, he joined the staff at providing training in welding.
Hobart Institute and has had the opportunity to travel to many
places conducting training and certification. While the workers were very attentive and wanted to learn,
there was also language barrier as he worked with a translator
who knew English but did not know anything about welding.

“The chalkboard came in handy,” Ed continued. “Many times
it was easier to draw a picture than to translate the explanation
into words.”

Back in Troy, Ed found satisfaction in the day-to-day ability to
help someone learn and make them a better welder.
He also has a favorite quote concerning teaching students:
“We can teach them to weld; we cannot teach them to work!”

Obviously the strong work ethic is markedly missing in
some of today’s students. Other changes Ed has noticed
include the use of computers to gain rapid access to metals
and welding information and material specifications…and
the improvements in filler metals, particularly with the use of
metal cored wire.

“The appearance of the Institute’s facilities has been greatly
enhanced to look more like a school rather than just a welding
shop,” Ed commented.

Some of those changes include enhanced classrooms, more
booth space, a cleaner atmosphere, improved testing labs, and
new welding equipment, as well as additional personnel.

Ed enjoys carpentry and looks forward to having the time to
do some major remodeling in his home as well as spending
time traveling with his wife during his retirement.

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