Page 10 - HIWT Spring 2016 World of Welding

A Welder Will Never Go Hungry world. My wife and I could pick a place on the map and be working
there in a week or so. From the Mississippi Gulf Coast to Virginia
By Brad Shade beach to Casper Wyoming then back to the Gulf Coast where we
(and when I say we, I mean my wife and my oldest daughter -or
The saying ''A welder will never go hungry'' is in a fact a true I would still me moving around)have decided to stay. Each time
statement. Hello, it's Shade again, back with that information you we moved it came with possibilities of major failure but I buckled
can relate to and ultimately live with. Information that can change down and focused on my job starting at my mental check list. Just
your life for the better, if applied right. because you weld GMAW in Ohio does not mean you can pack
up, move and apply for a FCAW or
I started out, as many of you know as GTAW pipe job thinking ‘Shade said
‘’If you want to change
a production welder in a high paced ‘’If you want to change the I got this!’ I have dedicated fifteen
automotive production shop welding world, you must first change years to the trade learning all I
GMAW. We used to get guys freshly out of the world, you must first change can, taking hold of opportunities
yourself.’’ remember that.
school that would come into our fast paced yourself.’’ remember that. wherever I could.
environment then quit a week later. They You want a change...
never wanted to listen to the advice we You want a change... Starting out, learn all you can; every
be the change.
would give them. We would tell them they be the change. process and take it serious. Focus
were moving their puddle way too fast and those eyes on that puddle. The
they would wonder why they would burn foundations for each process are
through every time. I saw the same thing the same. All puddles flow the same
on the flip side, when a slow paced technical pipe welder would way but your muscle memory for each process is way different and
try to switch over to structural and try to make production rates. In the speed varies.
my opinion pipe welders are just slower than a seasoned FCAW
shipyard journeyman. “Hey would you like to try tig? I have a guy out and need someone
in his place“. A boss man says to a reliable production GMAW
You have to take your welding trade seriously from the start. I welder, it's that easy. Now you have put your time in and have your
always wanted to move away from where I grew up and see the boss trust you to step up and learn to tig. Now you have another
world, which is what I did. Welders have opportunities all over the skill to add to your resume. If you mess up, DO NOT try to hide it.

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