I would like to thank the many of you contributors to this forum. For your time, your diligence and for the various detailed topics I have been able to glean from. Sorry I have not been a regular contributor. As I attempt to elaborate, I trust you will see why. I am by no means a novice.. Although I have never been in the military, I at times consider myself an Industrial Soldier... I am fighting to be busy with good things...To contribute to worthwhile projects, to stay sharp in my trade, and grow my business. Gentlemen in 2 years ( as some of you already know) there will be a major-traumatic crisis in our field of work.. For Weldors-Fitters-Fabricators-Millwrights and the Likes... A Profound Shortage of Skilled-Seasoned Tradesman, when the American Baby-Boomers Retire. I am not looking for a pros and cons discussion of the situation I have just mentioned, although it might come up.. A Bit of my backround...
I am a New Jersey resident. A Weldor-Fitter by trade...(Pipe-Plate-Structural) I work in the R.& D. Facility Section of a Major Power Industrial and Engineering Co., Where I could be working on anything from Heavy-Wall or Thin Wall S.S. Pressure Vessels (Built to ASME Code) To Structural Platforms, Miscelaneous Stands and Skids. I am the only weldor in this whole complex. And although there have been great opportunities for me, there are also big voids of time that pass, due to a bit of mismanagement here as well as being part of the R.& D Mainstream. Sometimes it just drives me crazy.... In addition to this, I have my own business as a steel fabricator.I Firmly Believe I was Fervently Motivated and Catapaulted into starting my business as a result of the Sept. 11TH Attacks on American Soil. I have never been much on volunteering, but I know that it does work for others. Although I am always learning, I can handle the basic triangle of metals; (Carbon- Stainless Steel -Aluminum) Occasionally Some Nickel Alloys. (All-Positions) I am not a designer, but over the years I have been able to improvise and effectively revise certain work especially when some so called engineer is dead wrong... I have just started the 4TH
Year of my own busines while I continue on my regular job... (Although I began in this line of work in 1981, remaining fairly consistant over the years with the exception of a few layoffs.) The first two years were a loss. At the middle of the 3rd Year I won and completed my first government contract with a major infrastructure entity. My situation right now is I am trying to win my second contract, but it just isn't happening... The only other work I have received from non-government industrial or commercial businesses are small deadend jobs.
What I am striving for, would be all job-shop work in my own place, with regular paying customers.. I admire many of you seasoned field winners who are out doing your portable thing. One attribute of positional work that I have not yet attained is being able to switch hands on a 6-G Open- Butt Tig Joint...
Good Health, Merry Christmas and a Profitable New Year to you all as you persue your own endeavors.
Brian