Noticed a big shift in how new guys handle torch work since 2020

I've been in the trade since 2012 and I'm seeing a real difference in the green helpers coming in now versus before. Back then most guys would jump right into cutting without even checking their tip condition. Now with the certification classes being more hands-on, the newer guys spend a solid 5-10 minutes just cleaning and setting up their gear before striking a flame. The amount of bad cuts and wasted metal has dropped noticeably too. I'd say it's cut our scrap rate on a typical tank job by about 15% over the last 3 years. Have any of you old-timers noticed the same thing on your crews?

3 comments

3 Comments

jake63821d ago

That part about guys spending 5-10 minutes cleaning and setting up their gear really hit home. I've been welding since 2010 and I see the same shift on my crew lately. The younger guys who went through the newer cert classes treat their torches like tools worth taking care of, not just something to beat on. It's been a huge improvement watching them on site, both for safety and for getting cleaner cuts first try.

the_faith19d ago

facts, really feel you and @jordan_webb on that.

jordan_webb21d ago

2015 was when I switched over to treating my gear like it mattered, before that I was the guy just beating on stuff. Reading this thread actually made me realize how much time I used to waste fixing mistakes I could have avoided with better prep. Makes me wonder how many bad welds I could have saved myself from back then.