Hello all,

I'm Shawn and this is my story. Went in the Marines at 18, hung out in the welding shop where I was stationed when I was'nt fixing 5 tons and other mechanical garbage. I went to a mechanic/trade school for auto/diesel technology after I got out. I've been doing it since 1995. I've worked on Cat, Detroit Diesel, Cummins, Western Star, Petes, Case, John Deere and Cadillacs(4 years +/-). I'm a ASE Master, GM master, Cummins,Detroit Certified and have more certs and papers than you can fit into a dump truck. This year I realized that, I'm good at what I do. Fixing machines with no wiring schematics or even a knowledge on how it works and doing it in the field to boot. My last job was with a large rental company who wanted me to dedicate 24/7 to them being on call and covering a pretty large area. I had no problem with the travel really, but at the end of the year when I looked at my w2 I thought, it's not worth that and that was with overtime?? As a master of my trade, who I believe could go into any shop and get a job, be it cars, equipment and so on I don't feel compensated properly for my knowledge/skills.

I welded for one place I worked for for about 2 years as their primary welder. While I was there I attended a tech school for welding(they paid). I did MIG, I know any monkey can do MIG and I passed my plate tests(for the school) in all positions. I started on stick but then I moved far away from the school and left the job I was at. I had a tasted of welding, almost as good as the self-emloyed taste. I have been fab'ing and welding with my Miller Thunderbolt since then. I recently was let go from my current company(they closed our location down, let mechanics go) and decided after all these years I am tired of dealing with these monkeys in the "mechanic world". I have it set in my mind that I will not go back to turning wrenches. Most everything began or ended with a cuss word and usually was linked to engineers or bean counters(sorry engineers). I have somewhere in the ball park of $50,000 tied up in a big toolbox and tools, which is more than I have ever made in a year?????

I enjoy making things, fixing things and fab work. I don't want to weld in a factory, seems like that is the kind of job they might walk into one day and say, "oh, we're closing down this facility". I like the stick welding, it is challenging. I also liked electrical problems on Cadillacs(that's over well over 20 computers/modules onboard), it was a challenge and got my brain to working and hurting at times! But when we had to call the engineers and they would come out and stand their scratching their heads I would laugh inside and tell the shop foreman, "I don't feel so bad about not figuring it out now!" Funny part was when the engineers starting taking out their shotguns and shooting new parts on the car to try and fix it!!

I've been working on doing my plate tests, 3G 4G 7018 prequal and in talking with some welders locally(who have been very helpful) I am really close, although I can't test them myself to make sure. One guy even said my fillet weld on my 1/2" plate looked really good(that was a good moral boost). Now, I have been off work trying to drum up some non-qualified work(fence/gate repairs) to make some money before my paychecks run out and hopefully get my tests done......and pass so I can do some qualified work, beginner stuff. I plan on fixing whatever mechanical turd anyone has around here to drum up more cash flow, I haul scrap and have been building some metal trinketts I hope to sell to people with an expendable income.

I have been looking and talking with some of the local Unions, Pipefitters and thinking of calling the Boilermakers. I want to weld, which is why I did not apply with the Sheetmetal workers local. The apprenticeship program sounds good but I have a wife and 3 kids to support so I need to make better than $11 if I am gonna give up my alternative sources of income, hauling scrap and working on OPS. I have read on here about welders helpers and have checked a few big places here(TVA) but no openings from what I have seen. I won't mind traveling as long as I will have bigger and better w2's as the years go by and I become more skilled or a master at my trade. If I travel I won't mind working crazy hours, nothing else to do right.

I guess I'm looking for ideas, some bones to chase and hopefully catch so I can advance my skills. I have also read on here about the 6G test and that raised my eyebrows, hmmmmm, that sounds very challenging. I heard that prequalifies for everything which means more opportunity and would make me a more desireable welder. I have also read Cactus post here about the possible rig job in Texas, that sounds interesting as well, but rig experience???????? Huhhh??? If there was some way I could support the family and make decent money for the experiece alone I'd be there, helper anyone?? I enjoy standing back after a job and looking at it and knowing I was part of it. I built some handrail and the challenge of the angles, the math(which I had no interest in until I started doing that sort of stuff) and when I looked at the end product.....wow. It was a 40 hour job for me which was "big time" by my standards. I don't get the same satisfaction from wrenching. The electrical was the about as close as I could get, but still was not the same.

Anyhow, sorry this is so long, been having to get this out cause I am not going back to mechanics and I hate asking anything but I am determined to do this. I'm 37 and have no desire to turn a wrench for someone else again. That's 30+ good years of welding left in me, hopefully I can make enough to actually have a savings account or hey, a retirement fund!! Wow!! It would be nice to start on one of those! Thanks for any info, help or guidence you vets can offer.

Shawn