AboutErnie Leimkuhler Expertise Questions about Oxy-Acetylene welding/cutting, MIG, TIG, Flux-core, Stick welding,
brazing and soldering, bike frames, air frames, motorcycle frames, structural welding,
pipeline welding.Also questions about Welding Certifications. All questions about
fabrication of metals (stainless steel, steel , aluminum, brass, bronze, copper). Some
questions about underwater welding.
Experience Extensive background in most welding fields. 18 years fabrication of metal theatre scenery, 10 years structural steel, 2 years pipe welding, 10 years as a Welding Instructor at South Seattle Community College, and the Divers Institute of Technology.
12 years Industrial Welding Consultant for fabrication shops in the greater Seattle Area.
11 years Architectural Metal Fabrication.
8 years in Film/TV; SPFX/construction/set-deco/props/.
27 years Blacksmithing.
Organizations American Welding Society - Welding Inspector/Educator
Publications Do a search on google groups for "Ernie Leimkuhler" in the rec.crafts.metalworking and sci.engr.joining.welding groups.
http://www.stagesmith.com/ http://www.metalwebnews.com/
Blacksmith's Gazzette - Anvil Making
Education/Credentials BA Theatre Technology - Purdue University.
Question How much do you get paid an hour for welding?
Answer That is about as vague a question as I have ever heard.
Payscales range from $10/hr to $500/hr, depending on what you are doing.
I need you to narrow the question down.
What weld process?
What area of the US or the world?
What materials?
Hourly worker or contract?
Shop or field?
Inspected or not?
Certification required or not?
Some examples.
I work in the Seattle area.
When I was fabricating steel scenery for the Seattle Opera, in their shop, using MIG, I made around $18/hr.
When I was welding on location for somebody else, using Stick on structural steel outdoor, I made around $25-$40/hr.
Welding for my own company in my shop $50/hr.
Location structural steel welding with my generator welder,
$100/hr with a 2 hour minimum.
Location welding Stainless steel for breweries, using my TIG equipment,
$150/hr, with a 2 hour minimum.
On location weld fabrication consulting or inspections, $200/hr with a 2 hour minimum, plus travel expenses.
