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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?

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?

Take them all - just one at a time.  Architects wouldn't use most or many of those except maybe sculpture.  As an engineer - the more I know about welding - the more I would understand the forensics.  Then go from there...

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?

I would vote for the welding too.  Seriously wish I could take a welding course to improve my knowledge.

RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?

I vote for either metal working or (mig / tig) welding.  Both would be a good practical skill to have.  Following that, go for what interests you the most.   

RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?

Years ago, I worked in a shipyard that built submarines.
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?

Given your professional area of expertise, I'd expect the welding would be a no brainer as most directly relevant for on your resume.  Now I don't know how different 'artistic' welding might be from structural welding but I'd guess it's the most relevant.  After that I'd guess maybe metal working, then perhaps stone cutting but what the heck would I know.

Posting guidelines FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm? (probably not aimed specifically at you)
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?

is this the same Crucible where the Mythbusters are always going?  either way, that sounds really cool.

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?

Learn them all. Welding/machining would be good for your career. Once working again, you will be doing plenty of fire dancing. thumbsup2

Chris
SolidWorks 09 SP4.1
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?

(OP)
Yes Sita, it's the same Crucible. The funny thing is the first I learned of the place was when I went there on an inspection related to litigation that involved the building. Now I will be returning as an unemployed volunteer. How things change.......

"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?

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well fire dance!"

RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?

I envy you these options...
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?

Stone cutting sounds intriguing, nearly a lost art these days.   

RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?

I don't know how practical it is for your career but I have always wanted to learn how to weld.

RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?

Seems to me that knowing the difference between a good and bad weld would be useful for forensic investigations, unless your particular forensics doesn't get into that level of detail...

TTFN

FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies

RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?

(OP)
Onerynorsk,  stonecutting is indeed a lost art. Fortunately I have relatives who do this, including an uncle in his 70's who came out of retirement because no good stone masons could be found where he lived in Washington. I think I'm still leaning toward learning to weld first and hoping I'll have a chance to take other courses.

 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?

" I guess he's never going to forgive me for dressing him up as a girl when he was a toddler.    "

As a younger brother to 2 sisters, I can confirm that we tend to remember ill treatment when younger!winky smile

Posting guidelines FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm? (probably not aimed specifically at you)
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?

Firedancing with a tig torch...

RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?

Take a look at the wage rates for certified welders before dismissing your brother's proposal.

 

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?

Was going to say the same as Mike.

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.

Quote:

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.
^ 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?

Take a look at their life expectancies as well before deciding on welding as an alternative career...

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?

I was just thinking, the LED lighting might not be especially useful for your current litigation/failure specialisation.  However, if LED lighting takes off and you want to get more into the design side - it might be useful to have.

Posting guidelines FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm? (probably not aimed specifically at you)
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?

I'd think welders probably have longer life expectancies than fire dancers...but have no data on which to base that assumption :)

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?

Cass...definitely welding...good for the forensic side.  I was a certified welding inspector for about 10 years and I held certification as an ASNT Level III for radiography for quite a while as well. Both gave me credibility when I would opine on poor welding in a building structural failure or a product failure.

RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?

Wasn't there a film in the 80's about a women that welded by day and danced by night?

- Steve

RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?

Flashdance...Jennifer Beals

RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?

Note to self:  Avoid subtle references in these waters.

- Steve

RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?

(OP)
I hope that is where the similarity ends because I have no plans to go back to the tragic big hair of the 80's

"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?

(OP)
Actually all of the dance sequences were performed by a French dancer including the now famous water shot. I take a workout class on Fridays where we sometimes do chair routines and still call a certain move the "Jennifer Beals"

"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?

Steve...any reference to Jennifer Beals requires comment, subtle or not!

RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?

If you screw up welding, you could be fire-dancing in no time.

RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?

Yes, I remember the bit about the French dancer.  Nonetheless, JB's body was still nothing to sneeze at.  She was recently (~1 yr ago) cast in an occasional part "Lie to Me," and she's held up pretty well over the last two decades.

TTFN

FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies

RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?

Definitely welding.

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?

(OP)

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?

(OP)

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?

I'm rather surprised at how everyone thinks a course in welding will help much professionally.  It's a handy skill to have if you work on your own stuff, but you won't be Doing any welding as a forensic architect (or any sort of engineer typically), and you don't really need to weld to tell a decent weld from a lousy one, and to really know if a weld is good I believe you have to at least x-ray it.  Machining or electronics sound more useful.
 

RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?

cheersCongrats, Cass!!!
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?

Careful34, I don't think anyone here believes that this course will turn Cass into a Welding expert or the like.

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.

Posting guidelines FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm? (probably not aimed specifically at you)
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?

careful34, do you weld?

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 agree somewhat with Careful34...

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?

Okay, I should add that taking the class could help improve your understanding of the "constructability" of welded connections... if that was a concern.  Most of the welds I design are usually easily accessed.

RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?

Sure, I can see that.  I just wanted to suggest that casseopeia take the class for her own enjoyment, and if she picks up something she can use at work along the way its a bonus.  I imagine at the end of the welding class you will be able to infer why the weld is no good or what happened during the process, not just that it is no good.  Either way, I'd recommend taking the welding class.

RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?

Alright.  I'll revise my state and say that for a forensic architect welding may be marginally more useful than machining or electronics.  I wouldn't be bragging about it on my resume however.

RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?

I would have thought that the Jewelry class would be most appealing to the opposite sex, but that just goes to show what I know about the opposite sex.

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?

"You absolutely _must_ tune out all distractions near and far, emotional or physical, real or imagined."

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://www.amazon.com/Zen-Art-Archery-Eugen-Herrigel/product-reviews/0375705090

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?

I'm a female manufacturing engineer and I have been studying metal working (manual and CNC machining) since 2004, but even with all the academic experience, the certifications, the fact I have a small machine shop at home, and the letters of recommendation from various instructors, I still can't get work in the industry. I have yet to interview at a shop that had any women working as machinists or CNC programmers, but I have seen plenty in the manual deburr and inspection areas. I'm ready to throw in the shop rag.

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?

Linda,
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?


Kenat - the good-looking one...

H

www.tynevalleyplastics.co.uk

RE: Should I learn to weld, how to design LED lighting, or fire dance?

Pud - seems you've lost a bit of weight.  Must be the tobacco + gin diet.

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