Welding Isn’t Just a Career

by Jesse Furman, OHS Torch reporter  

          Welding does not just mean conjoining two pieces of paper together; it is an art and takes a lot of skill and patience learned the OHS BACC welding students.

            Welding is a very hot job that requires precision and accurate welds to hold metal together or create something. Welders have to learn all the different weld symbols and the settings for volts and amp for both mig and smaw welding.

            Robbie Gaston, OHS Junior and BACC welding student, said, “I like welding a lot and it is fun to create things and make your own things in this class. It is a little difficult to always find the right settings so you don’t burn through the metal.”

            Thinner metal is very easy to burn through so the settings need to be set lower and a way to test it out is by grabbing scrap and running a couple passes on it. Then store those settings in your head or write them down for that thickness of metal.

            PPE (personal protective equipment) is made up of a welding jacket, helmet, gloves, and safety glasses. This is to protect your eyes and skin from the heat, sparks, and flash burn from the arc.

            Matt Chapman, Senior and BACC welding student, said, “Welding is my passion and I love doing it. I am trying to make it into a welding school to get certified and then weld for a company.”

            Andrew Renfrow, Junior and BACC welding student, said, “I enjoy welding and it think it's a lot better than machining things on the lathe or mill.”

            Welding is a very rewarding career with many benefits depending on the company for whom you work for. You can obtain a skill to build just about anything and fix anything, which is what OHS BACC welding students learn in their courses.