That's brutal, most companies i worked for in southern alberta supplied rods, oxy/acet, zip cuts, grinder discs, buffing wheels etc.... shit most even provided gloves glasses and clear lenses.

This post was edited by Thoriden on Nov 12 2013 09:43pm

I'm not exaggerating. I know the people, I work there. There are a few that avoid major surgery but they are still used up like cheap hookers. It is very apparent when I write a permit for some pipe fitters then another permit for instrument techs or even millwrights.

This is a recent pic of what my bro does. He makes something in the mid 20's an hr now.. gets brand new equipment like the welder in the pic all the time and the boss is pretty lax. Downside is that he works alot bent over in tight spaces breathing in smoke and getting sparks and shit thrown all over him all day.

I'd say he is pretty much dead on about having bad knees, hips and shoulders as a welder. I learned how to weld in high school and most of the males in my family are mechanics or welders. I welded my way through college and held quite a few certifications. Its good money but really rough on the body. If you have poor work ethic you can probably make it through without trashing your body and your lungs. Otherwise prepare for the pain. My shoulder still hurts. At 19 i was making 1000 a week.

This post was edited by ikb on Nov 22 2013 09:42am

Yeah, I've decided to stay at University.

In the long run I think it is the right choice.

I fabricate, and I get payed to do it, not in an industrial application tho, but its a side job/for fun and not something I have to do.


I have friends that live in bakerfield ca (oil fields) that are welders and I know some of them make between 95-120$ an hour depending on what they are working on.


I couldn't do it for a living, its to much

the killer part is the $, its what drives those guys to do that kind of work. they see what they can accomplish, what they have, what they want, and it keeps their spirits alive at the job, but overtime kills their bodys and your left with everything you wanted growing up, bikes,cars, etc and you find your self having someone els drive you to your weekly doctors appts...

when i used to work in the bush one of the older guys would always tell me, people like us we get in this industry, making good money, find ourselves a wife, buy a nice house in the country, have kids, you spend your life paying off your house and everything els you own. by time you pay everything off and retire you have to sell your house and move closer to town to be close to your doctors.
so where are we really left off? i know im fucked at this point already, i dont got an education worthy of being any kind of doctor or lawyer, i already know what i like to do, and what im hooked on & its going to lead me down that same path. I know a few of you are in the same boat =/

hes also the guy that has 6 kids and gobs of debt, says his wife will never leave him because she wont take half their debt. lmfao

This post was edited by IB0T on Nov 22 2013 12:40pm