Welding Tips and Tricks

Pipelining, boilermaking, unions, plant jobs. These are what I’m offered. There is a new plant being built this year on a 15 year timeline so plenty of steady work with lots of $$$. My family is going to have a hand in it and I can get my foot in the door if I want. I’m in my 40’s and have never done anything like that (the long distance, long hours, union stuff that takes years). I feel like since I’m not seasoned for that stuff and would have to adapt maybe it’s something I should leave to the 20 year olds and hardened union boilermakers and just keep on fabbing.

I know jody has seen a lot of time in the field and then cwe/cwi the newboys before they are thrown in the lions den. If you are offered a shot at boilermaker and union in your 40’s, can you overcome and adapt at a plant being built against the youngins and vets? It’s a solid chance to retire the helmet at 55-ish and CWI from there until I’m done. I’d like to hear what he thinks based on what he has seen. I already have the chance to ask my family that whom are overqualified for the answer, but they want me to just do it and i need an unbiased opinion. It’s not something I can try and fail at. They are top of the food chain at ASME and everything that gets printed comes from their desk. If I don’t succeed 100% it’ll be a total fail. This question isn’t posed about my abilities as an individual. Put any 40-something John Q Public in this and decide. All replies welcome, but qualified answers wanted.

There have been several guys I personally know who started there apprenticeships after they were 40. They stuck it out and did fine.

One1, Jody doesn't typically respond in the forum, although I can't say he won't.

If your determined to go this route I'd say you'll probably do well. Don't focus on others just be your best, a lot of the young guys have problems just showing up on time, or at all.

As a CWI that can actually weld and fab, you'll have a far greater chance of a good time than a office only cwi. If you can talk the talk and walk the walk, you can assist a youngster and know the right skills to shut down an old timer if they don't agree. Note: some won't agree whatever happens but what you say will be better accepted.

When you were nursing I was chasing shutdowns and one of my best friends was a 1/2 Proto spud ratchet....
If I were in my 40's again ?.....I'd get REAL good at SS and AL tig and look for a job in the AC or seaside doing fancy yatchets and hi dolla kitchen work and restaurant work. Clean. Not too heavy, not too dangerous yet requires patience and mastery.
I don't missing the tough guy years. My body disagrees.I don't have a clue what the boilerbreakers do these years but I expect a lot of computerfied nonsense is involved. They were kinda hi tech, even back in the day. Machinist/metallurgist/hydraulic meets ironworker.I'm not smart enough for all that if computer stuff is involved. I can cut a left handed Whitworth if needed but forget the TV lookin thing.I need a gear shift and belts !