I have a most unusual job. I work at a company that makes custom architectural work. Until about a year and a half ago, there wasn't any welding being done here. The addition of TIG welding to other manufacturing processes has given the company an edge over competitors who are doing essentially the same type of work. I'm the only one here who knows anything about welding, and I'm a senior. Like I said, unusual.
I have about 12 years' experience as a full-time welder, but the interesting thing is that most of it was the 1980s and 90s.
I had my own company for many years which only required stick welding. We went out of business. I managed to pass a TIG welding test, in large part because I was able to refresh my memory by watching YouTube videos, like the many excellent ones posted by WT&T.
I got hired, worked for a few months and got laid off, but not before I got my welding chops back up to speed and learned a new skill, specifically, the ability to fuse weld thin aluminum and stainless sheet metal.
At my current job, which I have held for about a year and a half pays better, I get more respect, and it's very close to where I live.
Also, I get paid by the hour even when there is no work to be done, largely due to the eye-popping expense of architectural work in NYC (A lot of this stuff went to mid-town Manhattan) and the fact that I do everything that needs to be done, and I'll stay late or come in early or come in on a Saturday. And I work very quickly due to years of experience in production welding. I'm the entire welding department. So, I'm getting paid by the hour to post on this site. Thanks, TIG welding, and thanks WT&T!
