Welcome To The Machine ( Introduction to the Welding Trade )

This Blog is my attempt to...
Help people interested in becoming a welder.
Provide "inside" info to new welders breaking in to the industry.
Share trade tips and techniques.
Engage in open discussion about the welding industry, Or just specifics such as welding techniques.
Answer questions & help out fellow tradesmen who might not know some of the tricks I've picked up during the 10 years I've worked as a custom fabricator.(I'm a Red Seal Journeyman Welder)
 Here goes nothing....
http://www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca describes a welder as follows: 

Duties

"Welders join or several metals in beams, girders, vessels, piping and other metal components, make metal parts used in construction and manufacturing plants, and weld parts, tools, machines and equipment.
Welding usually involves applying heat to metal pieces to melt and fuse them together. In electric arc welding, heat is created as an electric current flows through an arc between the tip of the welding electrode and the metal. In gas welding, such as oxy-acetylene welding, the flame from the combustion of burning gases melts the metal. In both arc and gas welding, filler materials are melted and added to fill the joint and make it stronger. In resistance welding, the metal piece itself is melted as current flows through it, and no filler is added.
Welders use different welding processes and fillers depending upon the type of metal, its size and shape, and requirements for finished product strength. For a typical welding project, they:

• develop patterns for projects or follow directions given in layouts, blueprints and work orders
• clean, check for defects and shape component parts, sometimes using a cutting torch
• weld parts together

Welders may also build up worn parts by welding layers of high-strength hard-metal alloys onto them.

Working Conditions

Welders work in a wide variety of work environments. They may work outdoors on construction sites or indoors in production and repair shops. Travel may be required on jobs such as oilfield-related welding. A 40-hour work week is normal, but overtime is sometimes required.
There is some risk of injury involved working with torches and hot metals and the resulting sparks and toxic gases.

Skills and Abilities

The work is most rewarding for those who enjoy building things and working with little direction or supervision.
To be successful in the trade, welders need:

• manual dexterity
• good vision (glasses are acceptable)
• eye-hand coordination
• the ability to concentrate on detailed work
• patience"

I recommend starting at Tradesecrets.org As they have a plethora of useful info for anyone looking to get into any trade, As well as tons of useful info about working in alberta and working in the trades.
But what they don't cover are the little details about working in different types of shops, Or the politics that can come into play (unfortunately) but that will be covered in future posts.
  Well that's my first post...
Stay tuned for more. And feel free to post your questions or comments.