How To Become A Pipeline Welder

By Author: Caleb Lazar
Total Articles: 1
Comment this article

Welding is a sculptural or fabrication process of joining two plastic or metal parts by melting them, without or with using a further molten material. The heat produced by an arc from low temperature, which is used in welding to join metal rods, but it does not melt the base metal. It provides a strong joint between the two metal surfaces.

As a pipe welder, you build piping systems and repair them with welding equipment. You can use cutting, measuring, and welding tools to alter and cut metal materials for repairs and new projects.

But every welding machine is not suited for pipeline welding, because of its demand and challenges. For this reason, you will need a welder that is more powerful than the ordinary welder for your best Pipeline welding machine.

Why should you pipe weld?

You will not become a pipeline welder without working hard. It takes a lot of training, experience, and learning from your mistakes. But why put yourself through that?

First of ...
... all, the experience needed to be a better pipeline welder is rare, which means there are comparatively few pipeline welders compared to the amount of work avilable. That ensures great job security.

Every day tends to be different for a pipeline welder, depending on the industry you work. Sometimes, you could be a welding pipe surrounded by deep underground or snow-covered mountains.

Generally, one of the most significant selling points is the payment. The average pipeline welder rakes in anywhere from $64,000 to $71,000 per year depending on the location and industry.

Where Does a Pipe Welder Work?

Wherever there are piping systems or pipes, pipe welders are needed.

Pipe welders work in a broad range of the industries: like,

Construction sitesNuclear energy plantsFabrication shopsAuto manufacturing facilitiesThe military andAerospace factories

The top employers for pipefitters, plumbers and steamfitters are given below: (according to 2016)

Heating, Plumbing and air-conditioning contractors (62 percent)Manufacturing (3 percent)Self-employment (13 percent)The government (4 percent)Civil engineering and heavy construction (4 percent)

How To Become A Pipeline Welder

Education

Welding education requirements vary depending on the employer. Some employers will need a high school diploma or its equivalent along with certificates and hands-on technical training to make it as a pipeline welder. Again some employers only look for an undergraduate degree from a technical school.

Students in the welding program learn the shaping metals and art of heating. Math is the most important subject, but physics, chemistry, and metallurgy are also important subjects for a good pipeline welder. They required some technical programs, including soldering, arc welding, brazing, casting, and bronzing. Again hands-on training also contains oxyacetylene welding and cutting, gas tungsten arc welding, gas metal arc welding, etc.

These courses contain around 30 and 45 weeks with practical hands-on training and classroom learning. Then you will get a certificate to be a pipeline welder.

Physical Training

Pipeline welding can be a forceful physical job. So you need to be fit. That's why physical training is one of the essential requirements of being a pipeline welder. It provides physical and mental fitness so that you can show your skill with full energy. Sometimes you have to work in scorching and cold weather. For this reason, you may need more training like,

♦ Manual skills

You should have a steady hand for accuracy. Your hand-eye coordination needs to be good. So, you should have the right eye and hand coordination for long term welding.

♦ Physical Stamina

A pipeline welder must be physically healthy and smart. Because you have to work with the bend, stoop, metals, etc. So, you will need a high level of stamina to cope with long periods on your feet and carrying out repetitive actions while you will work on a project.

If you are a pipeline welder, you will need to be flexible enough and have the ability to do work for a long time. Be flexible when you are doing the job for any industry, and try to learn.

Certification

For getting a good job, it's crucial to be adequately trained and certified. So, it is quite challenging to get a job without a certificate from a vocational board in a specific country. Mainly focus on hard work , training, and then you will get the license from the board. Usually, they do not require any quiz or test.

If you have a certificate, maybe you get enough salary in a month. So, it is necessary to join the classes that will offer you certification courses.

In Which industries You can work?

Generally, oil and natural gas companies do hire a large number of pipeline welders. But those are not the only industries that you can consider.

Sanitation and water services have plenty of pipelines. Again the construction industry also deals with a large number of piping systems. So, they require the sophisticated touch of the pipeline welders.

So many industries need pipeline welders. That's why it's possible to find a better job. There are some jobs for pipeline welders where travel is required. So, it is a big opportunity for you to see the world.

Conclusion:

Pipeline welding is not smooth and easy compared to other types of welding. Because you can weld two sheets of metal, it doesn't mean that you can weld pipes. It is an art that requires more practice. Also, you will need to have the best welder for the pipeline.

Also, different welders are suited to various welding applications. Like, the best welder for the exhaust pipe will not necessarily be a good match for the welding of oil pipes.

Hey, I am Caleb Lazar. I am glad to welcome you to my profile. I am a freelance writer by profession.