Welder
McKelvey Mechanical
Tuscaloosa
12.2024 - 02.2025
- Troubleshot problems related to welds including porosity issues caused by improper shielding gas flow rates.
- Positioned and clamped workpieces together and properly assembled in jigs and fixtures.
- Prepared workpiece edges by grinding, cutting, buffing or bending to verify snug fit.
- Prepared material surfaces for welding by removing scale, rust or other foreign matter.
- Monitored the fitting, burning, and welding processes to avoid overheating of parts or warping, shrinking, distortion, or expansion of material.
- Operated manual or semi-automatic flame-cutting equipment to cut metal for fabrication of products.
- Operated manual and semi-automatic welding equipment in vertical, horizontal and overhead positions.
- Welded fabrication materials, continuously checking for safety and quality.
- Measured workpieces with straightedges or templates to conform with specifications.
- Marked or tagged material with job number, piece marks and other identifying marks.
- Determined welding strategies using metallurgy knowledge, geometry and welding techniques.
- Read blueprints and drawings and took measurements to plan layout and procedures.
- Utilized oxyacetylene torches for preheating metals prior to welding or bending them into desired shapes.
- Produced work using appropriate welding techniques, metallurgy knowledge and engineering requirements.
- Determined appropriate filler metal type based on joint design and material being joined together.
- Monitored fitting, burning and welding processes to avoid overheating parts, warping, shrinking, distortion and expansion of materials.
- Melted and applied solder along adjoining edges of workpieces to solder joints.
- Repaired broken or cracked parts using cutting torches and welding equipment.
- Inspected completed work for conformance to specifications using various instruments.
- Maximized shop organization and equipment lifespan by maintaining equipment.
- Scraped off excess spatter using portable grinders and arc-cutting equipment.
- Operated manual and semi-automatic welding equipment to fuse metal segments together.
- Adjusted settings on machines such as current level so it matches the specifications outlined in blueprints and drawings.
- Conducted flux core arc welding when applicable.
- Fabricated and welded components to assemble structural forms, such as machinery frames, tanks, pressure vessels, and furnace shells.
- Communicated effectively with supervisors regarding progress updates on assigned tasks.
- Read blueprints, drawings related to projects in order to determine proper dimensions of components being fabricated, welded together.
- Gathered required materials for each project in order to meet production deadlines.
- Followed safety guidelines through proper machine guarding and lockout and tagout procedures.
- Adjusted weld machines to correct settings for precision and waste reduction.
- Trained apprentices in safety procedures and use of tools, equipment used during fabrication, welding operations.
- Cut, contoured and beveled metal and structural shapes to achieve accurate dimensions.
- Welded components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.
- Applied shielded metal arc welding techniques with electrodes in flat, horizontal vertical positions as well as overhead applications.
- Connected and turned regulator valves to activate and adjust gas flow and pressure and obtain desired flames.
- Recognized, set up, and operated shielded metal arc and gas metal arc welding equipment.
- Cleaned and inspected parts and assemblies at each production stage and documented production defects.
- Heated and dissolved metal parts to obtain molten substance used in welding or extrusion.
- Used welding skills to help repair and maintain heavy-duty machinery.
- Installed new plant equipment per manufacturer's instructions while adhering to safety protocols.
- Completed minor torch ups with MIG welders.
- Performed gas tungsten arc welding with filler rods as needed.
- Constructed templates and jigs for fabrication according to blueprints.
- Set up welding machines based on the job at hand.
- Selected and installed torches, filler rods and flux according to welding chart specifications.
- Adjusted gas flow and pressure to create and maintain desired flames.
- Laid out, positioned, aligned and secured parts and assemblies with straightedges, squares and calipers.
- Set up equipment and welded parts according to welding chart specifications and type.
- Determined equipment and welding methods, applying knowledge of metallurgy, geometry and welding techniques.
- Prepared broken parts for welding by properly grooving and scarfing surfaces.
- Positioned and secured workpieces using hoists, wire and banding machines or hand tools.
- Cleaned joints before beginning any type of welding process by chipping off slag with a hammer or wire brush.
- Safely ignited torches and monitored surroundings to proactively identify hazards.
- Maintained a clean working environment by removing scrap metal from work areas.
- Repaired structures by dismantling, reshaping and reassembling metal components with cutting torches and hand tools.
- Detected faulty operation of equipment or defective materials and notified supervisors.
- Performed preventative maintenance on welding tools and equipment.
- Conducted x-ray, hydrostatic and tolerance tests on welded parts to verify weld quality and conformance to specification.
- Ensured that all welds met code requirements through visual inspection methods such as radiography testing where applicable.
