By Marty Baker

I received an interesting phone call recently from Tony Malcolm (Hobart – 1962) of Lima, Ohio, calling to my attention the changes in welding throughout the years and one significant difference that he noted.  In the early years, passing a welding test was much more challenging because welders were using bare electrodes of high carbon steel.  Fluxes and more efficient filler metals had not yet been developed.  Repair or construction of the steam engines for railroads was just one of the industries that required welders to pass tests before being hired, much as companies do today.

“Cree Casto and Marion Fisher are a few of the old-timers from Lima Locomotive Works that are still around,” says Tony.  “And we still share stories!  I remember trying to make a weld look good with bare wire and found it nearly impossible to make that happen!” says Tony.  “In 1962, MIG welding was just being developed.” 

Tony’s welding career was launched after he spent some of his teen-age years working in a local gas station. 

“There was a large building being constructed in Lima,” says Tony.  “That particular job required a pipeline to be moved.  Some welders came in from Oklahoma to take on the task and they stopped by the gas station to cash their checks.  [Something else that doesn’t normally happen in today’s world!] When I saw how much money they were making, I decided that I wanted to be a welder!  One of the guys said he was going down to Troy to take a welding class while he was in the area.  I figured that Hobart was a good place to start!”

Tony found a place to rent in Troy for $15.00 per week while he was attending classes.  Students today can only wish the cost of living were still this reasonable! 

When Tony returned to Lima to begin working after completing Hobart welding training in 1962, an old-timer didn’t believe he actually went to school to learn to weld.  “You can’t learn to weld in a school!” the old gentleman told him.  Needless to say, Tony didn’t tell many people after that occasion that he learned to weld in school!  Today that philosophy has changed and it is difficult to get a good welding job without training. 

Most of Tony’s career has been spent welding large equipment… cranes… shovels… army tanks.  As one company closed, he would move to another, always staying in the Lima area.  Many of the companies were known to specialize in a particular welding process to meet the needs of their manufacturing facility (i.e. Clark was known for “stick” welding, Superior Coach was known for MIG welding, etc.).  When a welder moved from one of those into a new company, it made sense that he would be channeled to the area where he had the most experience.

“While much has changed over the years, I’ve always been a welder and have always had a job,” Tony continues.

Tony has passed along his work ethic to his daughter, Kim Tuttle, who is working in industry for an automotive supplier.  She obtained her AWS-CWI certification in 1984 at Hobart Institute.   Tony also has a 13-year-old grandchild and hasn’t given up hope that maybe the passion and fascination for welding will be transferred to yet another generation.