Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters

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Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters

Careers / Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters

Summary Description


	Use hand-welding or flame-cutting equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Acetylene Cutter

2.	Acetylene Torch Burner

3.	Aluminum Welder

4.	Arc Cutter

5.	Arc Welder

6.	Arc Welder Apprentice

7.	Atomic Welder

8.	Bar Welder

9.	Bit Welder

10.	Blade Worker

11.	Body Welder

12.	Boiler Welder

13.	Burner

14.	Butt Welder

15.	Can Solderer

16.	Combination Welder

17.	Combination Welder Apprentice

18.	Cutting Torch Operator

19.	Die Welder

20.	Electric Arc Welder

21.	Electric Spot Welder

22.	Electric Welder

23.	Experimental Welder

24.	Fabricator

25.	Filament Welder

26.	Flame Burner

27.	Flame Cutter

28.	Flash Welder

29.	Gas Burner Operator

30.	Gas Cutter

31.	Gas Welder

32.	Gas Welder Apprentice

33.	Getter Welder

34.	Gun Welder

35.	Hand Thermal Cutter

36.	Heliarc Welder

37.	Helium Arc Welder

38.	Induction Heating Equipment Setter

39.	Industrial Welder

40.	Iron Cutter

41.	Lap Welder

42.	Lead Burner

43.	Lead Burner Apprentice

44.	Liner Assembler

45.	Maintenance Welder

46.	Metal Welder

47.	Mig Welder

48.	Oxyacetylene Burner

49.	Oxyacetylene Cutter

50.	Oxyacetylene Torch Operator

51.	Oxyacetylene Welder

52.	Oxyhydrogen Welder

53.	Pipe Welder

54.	Production Line Welder

55.	Production Welder

56.	Rail Bonder

57.	Robot Operator

58.	Robotic Welder

59.	Scrap Cutter

60.	Scrap Iron Cutter

61.	Scrap Metal Burner

62.	Sheet Metal Welder

63.	Shotweld Operator

64.	Spot Welder

65.	Steel Burner

66.	Steel Cutter

67.	Steel Welder

68.	Stitch Welder

69.	Sub Arc Operator

70.	Tack Welder

71.	Tank Truck Mechanic

72.	Tank Welder

73.	Thermite Welder

74.	Torch Burner

75.	Torch Cutter

76.	Torch Heater

77.	Torch Operator

78.	Torch Shearer

79.	Torch Straightener

80.	Torch Straightener and Heater

81.	Ultrasonic Solderer

82.	Underwater Welder

83.	Unionmelt Operator

84.	Weld Lay Out Worker

85.	Welder

86.	Welder Apprentice

87.	Welder Fabricator

88.	Welder Fitter

89.	Welder Operator

90.	Welder-Assembler

91.	Welder-Fitter

92.	Welder-Fitter Apprentice

93.	Welding Estimator

94.	Welding Lead Burner

95.	Welding Setter

96.	Welding Specialist

97.	Welding Tester

98.	Wire Welder

Job Tasks

	Operate safety equipment and use safe work habits.

	Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.

	Ignite torches or start power supplies and strike arcs by touching electrodes to metals being welded, completing electrical circuits.

	Clamp, hold, tack-weld, heat-bend, grind or bolt component parts to obtain required configurations and positions for welding.

	Detect faulty operation of equipment or defective materials and notify supervisors.

	Operate manual or semi-automatic welding equipment to fuse metal segments, using processes such as gas tungsten arc, gas metal arc, flux-cored arc, plasma arc, shielded metal arc, resistance welding, and submerged arc welding.

	Monitor the fitting, burning, and welding processes to avoid overheating of parts or warping, shrinking, distortion, or expansion of material.

	Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to ensure conformance with specifications.

	Check grooves, angles, or gap allowances, using micrometers, calipers, and precision measuring instruments.

	Recognize, set up, and operate hand and power tools common to the welding trade, such as shielded metal arc and gas metal arc welding equipment.

	Lay out, position, align, and secure parts and assemblies prior to assembly, using straightedges, combination squares, calipers, and rulers.

	Signal crane operators to move large workpieces.

	Chip or grind off excess weld, slag, or spatter, using hand scrapers or power chippers, portable grinders, or arc-cutting equipment.

	Analyze engineering drawings, blueprints, specifications, sketches, work orders, and material safety data sheets to plan layout, assembly, and welding operations.

	Connect and turn regulator valves to activate and adjust gas flow and pressure so that desired flames are obtained.

	Weld separately or in combination, using aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron, and other alloys.

	Determine required equipment and welding methods, applying knowledge of metallurgy, geometry, and welding techniques.

	Mark or tag material with proper job number, piece marks, and other identifying marks as required.

	Prepare all material surfaces to be welded, ensuring that there is no loose or thick scale, slag, rust, moisture, grease, or other foreign matter.

	Select and install torches, torch tips, filler rods, and flux, according to welding chart specifications or types and thicknesses of metals.

	Remove rough spots from workpieces, using portable grinders, hand files, or scrapers.

	Gouge metals, using the air-arc gouging process.

	Guide and direct flames or electrodes on or across workpieces to straighten, bend, melt, or build up metal.

	Estimate materials needed for production and manufacturing and maintain required stocks of materials.

	Position and secure workpieces, using hoists, cranes, wire, and banding machines or hand tools.

	Develop templates and models for welding projects, using mathematical calculations based on blueprint information.

	Clean or degrease parts, using wire brushes, portable grinders, or chemical baths.

	Repair products by dismantling, straightening, reshaping, and reassembling parts, using cutting torches, straightening presses, and hand tools.

	Fill holes, and increase the size of metal parts.

	Cut, contour, and bevel metal plates and structural shapes to dimensions as specified by blueprints, layouts, work orders, and templates, using powered saws, hand shears, or chipping knives.

	Preheat workpieces prior to welding or bending, using torches or heating furnaces.

	Use fire suppression methods in industrial emergencies.

	Melt lead bars, wire, or scrap to add lead to joints or to extrude melted scrap into reusable form.

	Set up and use ladders and scaffolding as necessary to complete work.

	Join parts such as beams and steel reinforcing rods in buildings, bridges, and highways, bolting and riveting as necessary.

	Hammer out bulges or bends in metal workpieces.

	Mix and apply protective coatings to products.

	Operate metal shaping, straightening, and bending machines, such as brakes and shears.

	Dismantle metal assemblies or cut scrap metal, using thermal-cutting equipment such as flame-cutting torches or plasma-arc equipment.

	Operate brazing and soldering equipment.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.


		file, sand, grind, or polish metal or plastic objects

		apply protective coating to products

		mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications

		sharpen metal objects

		preheat metal before welding, brazing, or soldering

		clean or degrease weld, or parts to be welded or soldered

		position, clamp or assemble workpiece prior to welding

		fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).


		use precision measuring tools or equipment

		operate metal or plastic fabricating equipment/machinery

		perform detailed welding techniques

		use fire suppression equipment

		use hand or power tools

		use non-destructive test equipment

		fabricate beams

		use acetylene welding/cutting torch

		weld together metal parts, components, or structures

		use gas welding equipment

		burn (cut), trim, or scarf metal objects

		use thermal-cutting equipment

		use braze-welding equipment

		solder metal parts or components together

		braze metal parts or components together

		use soldering equipment

		use arc welding equipment

		operate hoist, winch, or hydraulic boom

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.


		read blueprints

		read specifications

		read production layouts

		read technical drawings

		read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.


		apply cleaning solvents

		climb ladders, scaffolding, or utility or telephone poles

		erect scaffold

		move or fit heavy objects

		perform welding techniques over lengthy time span

		weld in flat, horizontal, vertical, or overhead position

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.


		examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.


		signal directions or warnings to coworkers

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.


		maintain safe work environment

		monitor the quantity of assembly output

		monitor production machinery/equipment operation to detect problems

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.


		identify properties of metals for repair or fabrication activities

		understand technical operating, service or repair manuals

		recognize characteristics of metals

		identify base metals for welding

		recognize characteristics of alloys

		recognize welding symbols

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.


		perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.


		plan or organize work

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.


		maintain welding machines or equipment

		adjust welding equipment

		setup welding equipment

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.


		use combination welding procedures

		use spot or tack welding techniques

		use knowledge of welding filler rod types

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.


		compute production, construction, or installation specifications

		measure, weigh, or count products or materials

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.


		attach or mark identification onto products or containers

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.


		estimate materials or labor requirements

		determine equipment requirements

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.


		analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications

		analyze test data

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.


		explain work orders, specifications, or work techniques to workers

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.


		lay out machining, welding or precision assembly projects

		construct patterns or templates for welding projects

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.


		monitor worker performance

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.


		maintain records, reports, or files

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Workers
	Welding is the most common way of permanently joining metal parts. In this process, heat is applied to metal pieces, melting and fusing them to form a permanent bond. Because of its strength, welding is used in shipbuilding, automobile manufacturing and repair, aerospace applications, and thousands of other manufacturing activities. Welding also is used to join beams in the construction of buildings, bridges, and other structures and to join pipes in pipelines, powerplants, and refineries.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Workers
	Welding, soldering, and brazing workers often are exposed to a number of hazards, including very hot materials and the intense light created by the arc. They wear safety shoes, goggles, masks with protective lenses, and other devices designed to prevent burns and eye injuries and to protect them from falling objects. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that welders work in safely ventilated areas to avoid the danger from inhalation of gases and particulates that can result from welding processes. Because of these hazards, welding, soldering, and brazing workers suffer more work-related injuries than do workers in most occupations, but injuries can be minimized if proper safety procedures are followed. Automated welding, soldering, and brazing machine operators are not exposed to as many dangers, and a face shield or goggles usually provide adequate protection for these workers.

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Danny DeVito once worked as a janitor.

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