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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Working at Bennett Steel, we fabricate a large amount of stacks, furnaces, and convection boxes.  I’ve welded for Bennett for the past year and a half.  My skills in flux core, MIG, 309SS, and carbon arc have progressed enormously.  Also giving me the opportunity to pipe fit.  My way of thinking is, ‘In this line of work, as long as you are knowledgeable about your work, you can never go wrong.’   

~ Tony Driggs, Oklahoma

I was a student at Eastern Maine Technical College at Bangor, Maine.  I completed the Welding Technology course there for the school year, 1984-1985.  I just wanted to say that I found the materials used to instruct that course which came from the Hobart School of Welding Technology to be extremely useful in helping me to grasp the concept of the welding trade.

Of course my instructors there were also very competent, but what I really remember from that class was the audio/visual aids which were shown before we went out to  the shop for some practical hands-on. I was a certified structural welder (per the State of Maine) before I started the course through another school before I went to EMTC and I thought I knew plenty. As it turned out, I didn't know that much so I was glad to have struggled (financially) to get through that year.

Anyway, everything happens for a reason and now (nearly 20 years later) I am instructing welding (part-time) for my current employer with whom I have been with going on 10 years.  I had been one of my company's top welders (work force of about 300) but have recently (Oct.-2002) been promoted to Corporate Piping Designer where I  generate isometric drawings from plan view, orthographic drawings and Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams.

My class is a 4- hour, after hours class from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm every Wednesday night and runs from September (after Labor Day) until mid to late July.  My students are apprentices and journeyman pipe fitters who work for my firm (Donovan Engineering & Construction Company Inc.) now known as Decco, based in Brookline, NH. We are a piping contractor involved in the installation of piping systems throughout New England ( MA, CT, RI and NH).

I teach structural welding of carbon steel plate and pipe using E6010 electrodes for the root pass and E7018 electrodes for the balance of the weld. Also, I instruct students to weld stainless steel pipe (304L &316L), open-root using the GTAW process with (of course) an argon -backing purge and the technique of "walking-the-cup".  When required, I will also teach advanced students fusion welding of stainless steel .065 wall tubing.  At this time, I find a need to once again utilize the Hobart Institute training materials.

 Sincerely  ~ James Mixon, New Hampshire

~ Brett Hampton, Pennsylvania

I started welding at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company.  From there, I welded fire trucks.  I then had the good fortune to sell welding supplies, gases, and safety equipment for a distributor.  I became the sales manager, then general manager and am currently the president of a welding supply company.  My background as a welder has greatly contributed to my success in these other fields.  There are many opportunities for welders out there, other than welding.  Thank you.      

~ Rich Schillo, New York

I have taught high school manufacturing and welding for 31 years.  My goal has always been to increase the number of girls taking these courses.  Several years ago, we created a glass/metal art course that I team teach with the art teacher.  We switch students every three weeks.  I teach basic welding  skills and students create metal sculptures.  Both classes are about 50% girls.  They really enjoy welding and several have gone to post high school training.                                                                    

~ Bob Dore, Washington

Every day I hear local contractors complain about not being able to find qualified, skilled welders.  As a welding instructor, I find it hard to find places I can put my students to work part time.  Sure, we all have success stories.  These are what I call natural-born welders.  What about the others that want to enter the profession?  There is no way I can expose my students to all the industry expects.  It is time to face the facts.  We need each other.  If you [industry] do not help us, our programs will be shut down.  Where are you going to get the next generation of welders?  Train them yourself?                               

~ Reggie Hudson, Georgia

We are an Ace Hardware Store that is in the middle of a farm, ranch, and industrial area, and are doing really well.  We are looking forward to working with Hobart on educating our customers and ourselves through any literature or training information you can provide.                    

 ~ Jaime Sanchez, Sr., Texas

We look forward to every issue of The World of Welding.  I like the ads in the magazine.  I also like  the progress that y’all have made.  You have the finest looking equipment I’ve seen in a school. You’re doing a good job.                                                                                                                              

~ John Zachary, Louisiana

I thoroughly enjoyed the Letter to the Editor in which D. Streeton of Kansas writes of the very apparent lack of knowledge of some people who call themselves welders.  As a 1993 HIWT graduate and Welding Instructor at Ivy Tech State College in Columbus, Indiana, I would however like to inform D. Streeton, as well as any other interested party, that you can in fact join mild steel and aluminum with a 6013 electrode.  Two words:  Duct tape!                                                                                          

~Randall M. Rueff, Indiana

I just love to read the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology books.  My teacher, Mr. Gerald Donald has been teaching our class to weld and I have learned a lot.   I would like to join the Hobart Institute when I finish school.                                                                                                              

~ Tyson Sampson, Maryland

I learned to weld in the army in 1976.  After I got out of the army, I didn’t’ weld for about 20 years.  I took a refresher course in college three years ago because I got tired of having to compete with someone for a dead end job.  I love welding.  Every job that you do is different… not the same old job day in and day out.  I am always checking my welds to see what I can do to improve it.  When I learned the basics of welding, I thought I was a good welder.  How little did I know!  There is always something you can do to improve yourself!  

~ Gary Edward Showalter, Virginia

Thanks for The World of Welding.  I get a lot of info from this.  I’ve become a little better in my welding.  This book is what keeps me on my toes in welding.                                            

~ Daniel Sandoval, California

You have a fine publication.  It gives solid guidance to young folks just starting out as a welder.  It’s my hope that you’ll keep up the fine work and instruction.  The combined skill and time proven knowledge of Hobart and Miller Electric is a hard combination to beat!                       

~ Jeff Mittelmann, New Hampshire

I’ve been welding for some 28 years and I find The World of Welding information great.  I’ve been reading all of your material to help me see how the welding field has changed.  Keep up the good work.  I hope to some day have my son go to the Hobart Institute when he is of age.          

~ John DeGregoris, Massachusetts

I would like to see more welding vendors in the magazine.                                        

~ Randall Rueff, Indiana

I enjoy the articles and information very much.  The World of Welding also keeps me up to date on current and future welding technology.  Thanks so much.                                                

~ Ron Daugherty, California

I appreciate your references to some of the out of the mainstream careers in welding.  I am a high school instructor with ever-increasing numbers of young women in my classes.  Using welding for art work is becoming more relevant than many of the construction and repair uses.              

~ Charles Funk, Minnesota

I am writing you from a prison where I’ve been able to advance my skills thanks to your magazine and the info you give through it.  I work as an inmate welder in the canning plant and have had to work with whatever materials we have.  I often find myself working with dissimilar metals.  Though I’m not where I would like to be yet in my welding career, I will continue to learn from your magazine.  My time is short and I want to be ready for when I’m released.  Thank you.                                      

~ Steven Mesquiti, Texas

I am currently using your basic programs and I have just received a grant to add several more of your programs that I am teaching to high school and evening adult classes.           

~ Duane Hart, North Dakota

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