Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
(OP)
While unemployed, I have been looking for ways to fill my time with projects. I now have an opportunity to work as a volunteer for The Crucible, a non-profit creative arts and education facility that has classes in stone cutting, metal working, foundry, electronics, kinetics, sculpture, fire dancing, welding, etc. As a volunteer I can choose any class at no cost.
Although fire dance is intriguing, I don't really have any intention of using it in performance. I don't have anywhere to practice and there aren't many places to do it other than Burning Man.
So now I'm looking at the class list within the framework of learning something that would look good on my resume. Mig and Tig welding are a consideration because they have special all girls classes, but then machining and electronics look interesting as well.
So if you were going to hire a forensic architect to gather and analyze field data for various types of building and structural failures, what would be best? Seriously, I'm really torn.
Here's a link to their class overview if interested...
http://thecrucible.org/classes/overview-of-classes
"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"





RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
What DO YOU WANT to know more about. That may lead you to "another" life??!!
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
They offered a night course called 'welding for nonwelders', probably in an effort to find people who were suited to the work but didn't know it.
Best course I ever took.
( Worst sunburn I ever got; TIG welding in a t-shirt, after weeks of MMA covered in leather. )
What will surprise you, and please you when you can master it, is that welding is primarily a mental exercise. You absolutely _must_ tune out all distractions near and far, emotional or physical, real or imagined. You will then be able to ignore anything, or anyone. It will be liberating.
Do it before your eyes go.
Answer to obvious question: I think old welders do it by sound, and smell, and the appearance of whatever light they can still see, and >>they can feel the force of the arc's magnetic field<<.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
my Daddy taught me to weld and I have to say the guys have always been impressed...
seriously though, I'd also look at things like classes in historic preservation (the technical side) and any construction classes to get hands-on experience. you could also talk with the folks at the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (www.nafe.org) - they've also got a journal which may be full of helpful info and job leads!
cheers, Linnea
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
Chris
SolidWorks 09 SP4.1
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
I agree with most here that welding would probably be most practical on the jub front. I sure would like to take some of those glass classes though!
"Good to know you got shoes to wear when you find the floor." - Robert Hunter
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
I know welding from a purely theoretical view and have inspected welds on structures. But learning from a practical standpoint is invaluable though out here in California I am less likely to need the added skill
My brother in Chicago is in favor of welding but wanted to know how much more would be needed to get certified so he could put me to work. I guess he's never going to forgive me for dressing him up as a girl when he was a toddler.
"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
As a younger brother to 2 sisters, I can confirm that we tend to remember ill treatment when younger!
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
Also, that could lead to welding inspection once you have some experience (not totally required for a CWI, but would be better than not).
That type of work is still going pretty strong in some fields, such as power plants.
^ Is why most of the welders I know need time to study for tests, paper or "fluid".
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
But for sure you should learn to weld!
Good for the career and good for the soul.
Then take the rest in order of interest!
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
Fire, no plasma torch dancing...with LED's...I'd go see that show!
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
- Steve
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
- Steve
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
Then add it to your resume as a one-liner:
"Personal skills: Welding, machining and metal work, stone cutting. Volunteer instructor at xxx for yyy months teaching new users and young adults."
Shows you have skills - but doesn't "fake it" by claiming you are certified or are a "actual welder." Shows you are active, alive, and do contribute - all skills missing too often in most companies. Shows you can TEACH others, and have real world experience teaching adults. Also skills needed more today as the experienced workers retire out.
By the way, real welders don't "feel the force" ... They ARE the force, using every mental joule they've got forcing the melted liquid upwards, sideways, and backwards into those cracks and crevices where it doesn't want to flow, and holding up the plasma against gravity forcing it to bridge gaps and canyons where steel shouldn't go.
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
I got the position and start next week. I also got the full tour and decided I'll probably start with TIG welding. Now I have to scrounge around my yard for metal scraps to use, if only to just cut it up with the plasma torch.
"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
KENAT. You are certainly good at reading between the lines, or you're psychic.
"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
As for how much a welding course will help professionally, I have always felt that it was a good idea to get a feel for what the guys in the trenchs do.
"Good to know you got shoes to wear when you find the floor." - Robert Hunter
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
However, of the options, it seems about most relevant to someone like Cass that gets involved in structural litigation and the like.
I fail to see how machining is more directly relevant.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
True, you can be a welding inspector without being physically able to weld to the quality standards of a professional, or to do basic inspection. But actually DOING IT teaches the average person quite a lot of things. Having an appreciation for the skills and difficulties of the people who are called upon to implement your designs is unbelievably important to engineers of all stripes.
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
I welded all 4 years of high school and took two classes in college for my own entertainment while getting my civil engineering degree. I'm not a phenomenal welder, but I can use pretty much any process in any position.
It comes up every summer that I go out and do some weld inspections. It has been useful for me to have a feel for a good weld from a bad weld visually, but this is something that can be easily taught to a non welder. And of course a visually good weld doesn't mean it actually is good. Knowing how to weld might clue you in on small imperfections on the surface but tell little of what is inside.
With that said, I really enjoy welding. I would recommend taking the welding class if it is something you think you would like and not be too concerned about how it will benefit you as an engineer. Of all the trades I have learned (however mediocre I may be at them), welding is by far my favorite.
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
It's whether it's the most relevant of a limited selection.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
An expert is a man who has made all the mistakes which can be made in a very narrow field
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
Well said, Mike.
Years ago I took a trade school welding course, and the instructor, ( who looked like a fugitive from "Deliverance") had on his desk this book:
http://ww
a favorite quote:
"In the case of archery, the hitter and the hit are no longer two opposing objects, ..."
A strange juxtaposition, to be sure, a Zen quoting, redneck welding instructor. He tried to teach, not just technique, but love of the process, and the "art" of getting "in the zone"
When done well, TIG welding, altho an industrial process, comes close to art.
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
Anyway, TIG is a great skill to learn, but I would also check out MIG welding as the equipment is cheaper purchase and maintain if you should decide to take up welding as a hobby.
- Linda
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
Don't give up. Sounds like your experience and academic background are excellent...you just need an opportunity to prove yourself.
Manufacturing "engineering" is a broad term that can fit a lot of applications. Diversify a bit until you find what you want to do.
Good luck.
Ron
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
He made quite a few £££'s making arty stuff. eg:
http://ww
and this one is on our village green:
http:
H
www.tynevalleyplastics.co.uk
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
Kenat - the good-looking one...
H
www.tynevalleyplastics.co.uk
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?
Here's a nice profile shot - with cigarette and gin.
ht
www.tynevalleyplastics.co.uk
RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?