Welding Tips and Tricks

Hi all,

I'm in New South Wales and returned to welding 8 years ago after a fifteen year hiatus, currently working for my father in law out on the farm building ag equipment for him. All carbon steel, but very varied projects ranging from sheet to inch plate.

I'm hoping to move on to a commercial firm soon and am worried about the amount of theory and practical knowledge I lost during my break, so thought I'd join a community of people in the trade who can help me get back up to speed.

Good to meet yas all!

Welcome to the forum from Tasmania, I had a break from welding for 20 years, you be surprised what you remember, and what other folks jog your memory with...for instance, I forgot about run off tabs for critical or pretty work...a member here with out realising it brought that and a whole lot of memories regarding welding flooding back...in a good way.

Thanks for the welcome. Did you work commercially after that break or just pick it up again for fun? I found that I can stick metal together efficiently as if I'd never left but despite improving a hell of a lot I can't quite get welds or oxy fuel cuts as good as I'd like. I've built a 36 metre disc seeder, 18 metre mother bin, comb trailors, boomspray tow behinds, all kinds of stuff, but while it's perfectly functional I've never managed to get to that sweet place where you stand back and look at a job and think "damn, that's good". It bothers me because in my imagination everyone working commercially is Superwelderman and I don't want to be the tit who isn't making the grade.

Oh well, it's all part of the fun of life, eh.

Don't stress mate. Make your move, if you have built the items you mentioned, you'll he fine. As long as you're honest about your situation with any prospecige boss, you'll be fine.

MattNSW wrote:Thanks for the welcome. Did you work commercially after that break or just pick it up again for fun? I found that I can stick metal together efficiently as if I'd never left but despite improving a hell of a lot I can't quite get welds or oxy fuel cuts as good as I'd like. I've built a 36 metre disc seeder, 18 metre mother bin, comb trailors, boomspray tow behinds, all kinds of stuff, but while it's perfectly functional I've never managed to get to that sweet place where you stand back and look at a job and think "damn, that's good". It bothers me because in my imagination everyone working commercially is Superwelderman and I don't want to be the tit who isn't making the grade.

Oh well, it's all part of the fun of life, eh.

yes I did, however it did not last long...my welding was great for the first couple of days, then went down hill so that job didn't last long...you have to remember a huge break is devastating to a hands on practice trade like welding, I near on cried when I saw my first welds that I did, absolutely rubbish, pure pigeon shit, when I picked up the electrode holder again, once I got over the shock of it all, I just picked up the welder and started practicing again. The fellas that never left kept on improving over the years so its to be expected they are better than us that took a break...respect to those that welded before me and now after me as they earn't the right.

Yeah, I know all about the loss of skill and knowledge. I was pretty lucky in that I was able to lay a reasonable bead right from the get go and I was working for a short while with a competent welder who was pretty helpful when he was sober - having someone to ask and advise makes a heck of a difference. I do compare myself to the pre-break welder I once was, so I know where you're coming from with the urge to cry! It's massively frustrating when you know you've got it in you to do something but you just can't pull it together, I've had a few moments like that. Practice, practice, practice.

Thanks for the encouragement Mike, I was planning to scout jobs online then walk into the companies and talk face to face, show a folder of the jobs I've completed, and ask for a chance.I figure honesty is the best approach, better to be turned away than bulls**t my way in then make a fool of myself. It'll work out and I'll get myself fully back up to spec eventually. Putting yourself out there is never much fun.

Do either of you guys know the go-to book for basic welding theory these days? It was A.C Davies back in the day, is it still current?

I haven't seen a new welding book for ages. Jodys YouTube videos has been more than enough.

Lincon electric has some real good online resources you can read for free. There current.

I just had a look at two online bookshops and I've got to tell you, I wasn't impressed. Save yourself money and hit up the internet. As stated, Lincoln has great info, as do miller and pretty much most other manufacturers. You can normally contact the major consumables manufacturers and get a free copy of their consumable catalogue, which will be a great starting off point. Esab welding have great publications called svetsvarin.