5 answers
salvador
Student
New Iberia, Louisiana
1
Question
Asked
818 views
How can I become a better welder?
I'm in 11th grade and I want to know how to be a good welder.
Login to comment
5 answers
Trevor Walsh
Welding/custom metal fabrication
1
Answer
Plainville, Massachusetts
Updated
Trevor’s Answer
Practice! More practice! Ask tons of questions and take advantage of all of the resources people are willing to offer. Weather that be lessons, pointers, certifications from your a school. Anything you can possibly get!
Jason Patterson, CMQ/OE
Inspector, Welding SME, Coatings SME, Materials SME, Quality Management
8
Answers
Downey, California
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Salvadore,
Becoming a better welder is a lifetime of practice and continuous education. You are fortunate in your geograpical location, welding is in demand in LA and TX area so you have a few good options to quickly become a professional welder. If your high school offers technical classes involving welding and fabrication you should enroll. There are welder training schools in your area that you can attend after high school, these are a great general knowledge enhancer and prpeapre you to begin an entry level career in welding for multiple industries. Ater the technical school welding classes I would encourage you to choose a field you would like ot work in and join the local Union hall that covers that field i.e. Pipe Fitters, Boiler Makers, IRon Workers etc. In the meantime, there are many videos on Youtube to watch and learn to enhance your technique. Join the American Welding Society, you will have access to the world of professionals in welding such as Certified Welding Inspectors and Welding Engineers. ASk questions and learn from others questions, you would be well served to find a mentor in the group. Good luck to you.
Becoming a better welder is a lifetime of practice and continuous education. You are fortunate in your geograpical location, welding is in demand in LA and TX area so you have a few good options to quickly become a professional welder. If your high school offers technical classes involving welding and fabrication you should enroll. There are welder training schools in your area that you can attend after high school, these are a great general knowledge enhancer and prpeapre you to begin an entry level career in welding for multiple industries. Ater the technical school welding classes I would encourage you to choose a field you would like ot work in and join the local Union hall that covers that field i.e. Pipe Fitters, Boiler Makers, IRon Workers etc. In the meantime, there are many videos on Youtube to watch and learn to enhance your technique. Join the American Welding Society, you will have access to the world of professionals in welding such as Certified Welding Inspectors and Welding Engineers. ASk questions and learn from others questions, you would be well served to find a mentor in the group. Good luck to you.
Chad Spritzer
Welder, CWI, Welding Instructor, Operations Manager
1
Answer
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Chad’s Answer
To add on to all of the great responses. Practice is definitely important but practicing correctly is what will produce consistent results. So understanding the acceptance criteria for the type of welding you are trying to achieve is pivotal. owing what is an acceptable discontinuity versus what is a defect will make your practice more effective and efficient.
Desmond Hoy
Fabrication Specialist
1
Answer
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Desmond’s Answer
There is no replacement for "time under the hood". Definitely read up on your course materials and study them in order to know the science behind what is going on metallurgically, and how voltage and amperage influence the behavior of the puddle. But like I said, keep practicing.
Think about it like painting with an arc, fire, and molten metal. People who are great painters get their skill from the amount of time they put into their craft.
Another piece of advice would be to learn what works for others and build off of that. For example, when I started off as a fabricator, I would make an effort to see who had the best looking welds and ask them what works for them. I would then watch them run a few beads and do my best to implement what I just learned. Focus on travel speed, travel angle, work angle.
One last piece of advice is don't weld with your face too close to the arc. You will get spatter and fumes all over your hood/ cover lens making it more difficult to see. I prefer to use an 11 shade when using FCAW-G. Sometimes a little darker when TIG welding.
If you have any specific questions please ask away.
Time under the hood.
Study course materials.
Practice consistency.
Don't be afraid to ask questions, the more questions you ask, the more you learn; The more you learn, the better you will be at whatever you are learning about.
Repeat.
Think about it like painting with an arc, fire, and molten metal. People who are great painters get their skill from the amount of time they put into their craft.
Another piece of advice would be to learn what works for others and build off of that. For example, when I started off as a fabricator, I would make an effort to see who had the best looking welds and ask them what works for them. I would then watch them run a few beads and do my best to implement what I just learned. Focus on travel speed, travel angle, work angle.
One last piece of advice is don't weld with your face too close to the arc. You will get spatter and fumes all over your hood/ cover lens making it more difficult to see. I prefer to use an 11 shade when using FCAW-G. Sometimes a little darker when TIG welding.
If you have any specific questions please ask away.
Desmond recommends the following next steps:
Fred Rosenberger
Data Analyst
515
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Fred’s Answer
Practice. That's really the best way to get better.
You may be able to find a class at a community college, or at a trade school, but they may require a high school diploma or equivalent before you can register.
Then, maybe buy your own welder and practice as much as you can.
Please note: I am not a welder, although I did some welding in college. This is just my best guess.
You may be able to find a class at a community college, or at a trade school, but they may require a high school diploma or equivalent before you can register.
Then, maybe buy your own welder and practice as much as you can.
Please note: I am not a welder, although I did some welding in college. This is just my best guess.