I know enough about welding to be dangerous. Go ahead, ask. Diary of an “Unstable Work History”
I stumbled into Welding completely by accident.
At Duluth Area Vo-Tech I signed-up to attend Carpentry Class, I was required to add a second choice on that application, I chose Welding. I completed the 9 month Welding program and immediately went to work at a local manufacturer, Clyde Iron Works (my Grandfather had worked and retired from there about 20 yrs earlier). Clyde Iron was the first in a series of 2nd & 3rd shift jobs this young Welder
01/02/2026
My advice when updating your codebook to the latest Errata Sheet has always been, use a red pen. This way, with all the markings you'll put in your code book over the years, you'll know this was an Errata change.
Now I read my Errata and it states, "...delete the space between low- hydrogen..."
Guess I'll need a red hole punch. (I'm kidding. As Mom always told my brothers and me, "Don't do dumb things.")
12/20/2025
Just wrapped up the last 2-Week AWS/CWI Seminar of 2025. These folks are testing today. Thanks American Welding Society for putting this training on. Good Luck to this group. Now go finish your Christmas Shopping. 🙂 See ya' all in the field. PWC
11/19/2025
Sad.😠👨🏭🙏
The American Welding Society is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of 20-year-old welder Amber Czech in Minnesota. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Amber’s family, friends, and the Minnesota welding community as they grieve this unimaginable loss.
This tragedy is a stark reminder that safety in our industry must encompass not only procedures and equipment, but also safe, respectful workplaces for everyone.
AWS remains firmly committed to advancing a culture where all welders can learn, work, and lead without fear of violence or harassment, and to supporting our members and partners in building inclusive, respectful workplaces across the welding industry.
11/14/2025
The day the Gulf War started I went into work and built a flag pole and mount for a flag I'd had in a box for years. Ol' Glory's flown outside my homes every day, ever since. That's a lot of flags that The VFW has taken in for me. Thanks.
06/13/2025
Thanks for making it awkward guys.
05/09/2025
Good day at work today at Mechanical Systems Inc. One new Welder qualified. One Old Welder reinstated. (There's a special place in my heart ❤️ for "Old Welders") What? That's not weird.
04/24/2025
I've determined that Grok is going to take over my line of work.
After a couple of months of running all my B31, Section VIII Div I & NBIC question by it first, it always knows just how to respond.
It likes me. It really likes me.🛀
03/12/2025
Back where it all started. Thanks to the folks at North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Fund & American Welding Society for this opportunity.