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What does a typical week in the life of a welder look like?

I am curious to see what the average week looks like for someone on the ground floor so to speak
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Shane’s Answer

A typical work week for me changes every week. We do ship repair so a lot of the jobs we perform are different. Most work weeks are not 40 hour work weeks. We consistently work 50-70 hour weeks, and most of us like it because overtime is where we make our money. I am a Boilermaker by trade and we do everything from fabricating new parts, to unbolting flanges for pipe, to routine maintenance for ships. Honestly welding for us is maybe 30% of the job. We do ship repair for the Navy as well so there is a lot of set up, and clean up, and wait. Nothing fast happens with the Navy. We are paid extremely well and with that comes the expectation of producing a quality project. I would rather take a little extra time to produce something that looks good that we don't have to come back and rework at a later time. I have been in shops that all they care about is production and how quick you can produce. More times than not the end result does not produce a quality project. While you are in school my advice is get as much hands in training as possible. When I graduated 15 years ago from college with a welding and fabrication degree I thought I was a welder. I quickly found out that real world welding is way different than school. Nothing is right in front of you in a booth, in position. Out here there is rust, and wind, and dirt, and things are in your way. We have had to mirror weld upside down with water all around. We love a good challenge, its why most welders are so cocky. Good luck
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Brian’s Answer

Wow!! I’ve answered typical day, but never a week!

Well to start, typically the work week is 40 hours, just as any other job out there in the world.

I am a Union Steamfitter/Welder by trade. So here’s an insight to my week.

So Monday, prep your work area, pick up from where you left off the previous week. Could be installing fabrication you made, could be pipe hangers.
Tuesday, the same as Monday. But this time you could be doing layout with your partner or could be helping take a delivery of material or could be conducting a crane pick.
Wednesday, no real deviation except maybe the foreman comes around asking if you need anything or to make sure you’re on track for your production quota.
Thursday, well, for me it’s payday!!! But nothing really deviates from tasks at hand. Again probably welding and installing.
Friday, typically try to wrap up loose ends from the week if you can. If you can’t, there’s always the following Monday.

Good craftsmanship takes time. Keep looking for ways to improve you craft whether it be reading AWS (American Welding Society) articles, taking time to practice, or attend any kind of construction class that could be available to you.
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