Welding Tips and Tricks

Proud parent moment tonight - I know that you all are the ones to share it with! My seven year old daughter has been watching me weld for quite a while and asked if she could give it a try. We hooked up the small torch and after a short lesson (and a number of tries), she made a puddle and walked it along a thin strip of stainless.

Thanks for letting me share!

-- Pete

Be careful having your daughter learn to weld, it makes them even more popular with the boys, especially at 20 years old like mine. I have to remind them that it's a short drag to the river from the house.


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Congratulations, Pete!

I've had trouble teaching that to 27 year-olds!

It's great having something like that to share with your child. Even if her life takes a completely different direction, she'll always love starting a story with, "When I was welding with dad..."

Steve S

This is awesome. I just taught my wife how to weld last year and I will warn you of this. I never should have taught her to weld not because she was attracting other guys but that she is showing me up at times. Watch out cause she has already got a great start.

My daughter loved being out in the shop when she was young.

mcoe wrote:This is awesome. I just taught my wife how to weld last year and I will warn you of this. I never should have taught her to weld not because she was attracting other guys but that she is showing me up at times. Watch out cause she has already got a great start.

I don't know how I'd feel if it were my wife

But I was never prouder than when someone I mentored through TIG stainless passed his ASME IX, and made my welds look sad by comparison.

I KNOW I'd be fit to burst if it were my daughter or son... I *THINK* I'd feel the same if it were my wife... but we're competitive, so I might not be quite so proud.... .

Steve S

We are very competitive so whenever she is having a better day than me when it comes to welding, I break out the practice stand and try out of position since she don't have much experience it makes me feel a little better when I show her up. It still makes me proud when she does better than me since I did teach her.

Good for her!

My husband taught me to weld (as he previously stated above) and don't let him tell you otherwise but he gets jealous when I show him up welding....he just won't admit it.

I still say,

This forum needs a "like" button!

You two make me smile.

Steve S

Thank you all for the incredible replies, it's so fun to hear the stories of other proud parents (husbands, wives, teachers)! Please reply with your stories.

-- Pete

She sure looks like she's enjoying it! My little sister just asked me the other day to teach her how to weld (and I'm still in school!!).. made my day. Hopefully my nieces will want to learn as well.

Taught both my sons the basics at an early age. They could do well at it.

I went to welding school with my "ex" wife. She was actually very good. We were quite competitive and she ended up getting hired before I did, welding stainless flashing and gutters, on commercial roofs, in Florida, in August. She lasted about half a day and hasn't picked up a torch since. It never mattered to me, really. We both had alternate strengths and weaknesses as one might expect with anyone. I was quietly proud of her most days, but it's hard to be openly so without being accused of being patronizing. Yes, I had made the fatal mistake of "letting" her win at pool one night, which I really hadn't, but you couldn't tell her that.

Only thing I really had over her was years of conditioning with working outdoors in construction, and about 10 year head start with fabrication and layout experience. Admittedly, both of us had failed to consider those details as far as she was concerned.

I really did enjoy watching my sons succeed with the process. Hopefully it is just enough that they may actually consider broadening their horizons at some point if they ever need another trade, or when they inherit all of my equipment and tools and manage to keep them in good care and use.

I noticed the third hand in the picture.
You have the ground cable hooked to to it....
How does that work for you????
John

sgtnoah wrote:Thank you all for the incredible replies, it's so fun to hear the stories of other proud parents (husbands, wives, teachers)! Please reply with your stories.

-- Pete

Hi,
Thank you to for share your experience. My child is also trying to work with us. Now, she is 8 years old. She is very much interesting to work and spend much more time with us. Most of time, I felt very happy and proud. These are all sweet memories. Once again, thanks for share your feelings.

Pete, That is so cool! I can't stop smiling!
I am the proud father of three grown Daughters. I only started in welding late in life, but think it is so awesome that your little one wants to give it a go. Good for her and you!

My girls are all more comfortable around tools than their husbands are. Something must have rubbed off on them over the years. They want their own kids to work in the trades.