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Welding school to Graduation and stuff in between!

Discussion in 'Garage / Workshop' started by Kwikvette, Aug 24, 2021.

  1. Aug 4, 2022 at 5:25 PM
    #201
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Chief Executive Officer at Kwik Fab

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    There was another transition taking place, one not mentioned here but while I was in school my wife and I were anxiously waiting to get keys to our new house!

    That day arrived when we were finally able to move in April of this year.

    From buying new machines, to setting up my garage, making misc items like a tiny catch-all table, a welding cart, fixing trailers, welding my bumper and more, I've been really trying to do as much as I can related to welding and/or fabrication.

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    shakerhood, point45, Delta09 and 4 others like this.
  2. Aug 4, 2022 at 5:30 PM
    #202
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Chief Executive Officer at Kwik Fab

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    So to summarize a few things -

    If there's something you wish to do or try, JUST DO IT.

    I always wanted to get into welding, and though I thought it'd be cool to do it for a living, I kept telling myself "naw this will just be a hobby."

    But really, don't be afraid to dive in head first. You're going to suck, it's normal. No one's good at trying something for the first time and I think that's what pushes most of us away from doing so.

    For me, it was more than just welding because I was left a really good job that paid really well with continued growth opportunities. But as I got older, I realized I needed to stop telling myself "I'll do it later."

    It's been a huge breath of fresh air.

    I only hope to learn and learn and learn as I continue on, exploring new and different opportunities.

    If anyone has any questions feel free to post on here or shoot me a PM!

    Glad I started this thread cause I can go back and see where it all started, how I progressed, and how I will continue to progress in the time to come.

    Can't wait to post new projects in the future!
     
  3. Aug 4, 2022 at 5:45 PM
    #203
    Watermallon

    Watermallon ID Tacooo

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    Love this thread! Way to go OP. I start school for welding in about 2 weeks, also using my GI Bill!! Super stoked
     
  4. Aug 4, 2022 at 5:48 PM
    #204
    Yota X

    Yota X Some say dresser, I say dryer.

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    Lots of good info on here!
     
    Kwikvette[OP] likes this.
  5. Aug 4, 2022 at 5:48 PM
    #205
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Chief Executive Officer at Kwik Fab

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    Thanks!

    It probably didn't help that I stopped posting right around the time I started at the fab shop, but I saw it as nothing really exciting to post about.

    Sure I did MIG a lot, whether it was mild steel or aluminum with a push pull setup. But I held off thinking I could come back and just post a ton of pics of everything I had done after my last post.

    Look forward to hearing about school! Feel free to post on here for any reason, could be that push someone needs to get into welding or whatever other trade he or she may be jumping into.
     
  6. Aug 4, 2022 at 5:49 PM
    #206
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Chief Executive Officer at Kwik Fab

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    And you didn't believe me when I said I only started welding recently! :rofl:
     
  7. Aug 4, 2022 at 5:50 PM
    #207
    zippsub9

    zippsub9 Well-Known Member

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    Shit bolted onto other shit, and junk.
    Great read for me, especially the beginning. Speaks volumes to you and your work ethic, although somewhat common when you walk amongst the same cloth for so many years. I am set to retire in a couple years. It was supposed to be last year, but various reasons took me to another PCS. However, I was lined up to work at a restoration shop on my way out as an intern. I have found a couple local small fab shops and am gonna see if I can work at one of them instead.
     
  8. Aug 4, 2022 at 6:02 PM
    #208
    Watermallon

    Watermallon ID Tacooo

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    Glad you did come back to post! Haha, yeah I’ll def be taking pics along the way. I’m excited to learn. I’ll be going to my local state college that has a 2 year program, my wife has a friend that did it and he said it’s a really good program.
     
  9. Aug 4, 2022 at 8:07 PM
    #209
    Bivouac

    Bivouac Well-Known Member

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    Remains to be seen I bought the tires and wheels the rest came along
    Congratulations :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::welder:

    Is there a Graduation Party the drive for me might be to expensive though.

    All that matters is that your happy and keep learning new things.
     
    Kwikvette[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  10. Aug 5, 2022 at 10:12 AM
    #210
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Chief Executive Officer at Kwik Fab

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    Well check this shit out, these are light poles my co-worker and I made.

    I made more than half the light poles, and he made more than half the smaller set of signs.

    The city that ordered these from us is the city my barber is in -

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  11. Aug 5, 2022 at 10:15 AM
    #211
    Bivouac

    Bivouac Well-Known Member

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    Remains to be seen I bought the tires and wheels the rest came along
    It is sure fun to see things you built in the Real World.

    People that don`t build things will never understand.
     
    jubei and Kwikvette[QUOTED][OP] like this.
  12. Mar 27, 2023 at 1:02 PM
    #212
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Chief Executive Officer at Kwik Fab

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    It's been some time since I've posted here, but who doesn't like an update?

    Crazy to think still it was only recently that I learned how to even use an oxyfuel setup.

    After my last post, I had picked up a job doing MIG and TIG work for a manufacturing company.

    Most jobs I handled were large, mild steel assemblies but I did get to work on even larger stainless steel frames as well as panels where TIG was required.

    Due to NDA's and whatnot, I couldn't really get any pics other than this one -

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    Had also earned my forklift certification there which was cool.

    Unfortunately, I chose not to stay there due to the sudden need for an increase in hours. I was ok working 45-50hrs a week but the need shot up to 60 plus a volunteer Saturday per month. With a kid on the way (at that point we were only planning), I decided to hang it up and retire.

    Which leads to where I'm at now.

    I've picked up doing side work, from repairing more trailers, some gym equipment, to making an assembly for a table to cutting one off motor-parts for a local mechanic shop, and more.

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    And the most updated pic of my 'shop'

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    Added quite a few tools to my arsenal which make things so much easier than I could've imagined!
     
    shakerhood, jubei and point45 like this.
  13. Apr 14, 2023 at 8:03 PM
    #213
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Chief Executive Officer at Kwik Fab

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    @jubei you mentioned having followed my school progress and all so not sure you ever saw this thread.

    Goes from just starting and getting my OSHA card to where I'm at now.
     
    jubei likes this.
  14. Apr 15, 2023 at 11:40 AM
    #214
    jubei

    jubei would rather be doing something else

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    I had no idea this thread even existed! Very cool to see how far you’ve come, man!

    Thanks for tagging me in!
     
    Kwikvette[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
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