Derek Wiggs
Flora,IN
Summary
Highly skilled Pipe Welder with comprehensive experience in various welding techniques such as SMAW, FCAW, GTAW, and GMAW. Demonstrated abilities in interpreting blueprints, maintaining welding machinery and ensuring adherence to safety procedures. Skilled at working efficiently in team environments and completing projects within deadlines while maintaining high quality standards. Notable contributions include successful completion of large-scale welding projects, showcasing problem-solving skills and technical proficiency.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
Pipe Welder, Fabricator, and General Maintenance
Austin Industries
Lafayette, IN
05.2024 - Current
- Operated various types of welding machines such as MIG, TIG, ARC, oxy-acetylene torches .
- Installed piping systems for gas delivery lines utilizing appropriate techniques for safe installation.
- Verified that all necessary joints were properly fitted before welding process began.
- Conducted regular maintenance checks on tools and equipment used during the job.
- Performed pipe welding activities according to blueprints and technical drawings.
Pipe Welder, Fabricator, and General Maintenance
B & H INC of Lafayette
Lafayette, IN
08.2011 - 05.2024
- Operated various types of welding machines such as MIG, TIG, ARC, oxy-acetylene torches .
- Installed piping systems for gas delivery lines utilizing appropriate techniques for safe installation.
- Determined optimal positioning of components prior to commencement of welding operations.
- Welded all kinds of stainless steel pipes including carbon steel pipes in different positions like flat position, horizontal position .
- Fabricated pipes, fittings, valves, and related equipment in accordance with specifications.
- Completed skilled welds on pressure-tested pipe in installations.
Construction Worker
John Vanerkolk Construction / Trinity Mission
Lafayette, Indiana
09.2010 - 08.2011
- Utilized power tools such as saws, drills and sanders when necessary on projects.
- Performed various carpentry tasks such as constructing walls, installing doors, windows and siding.
- Coordinated with other workers onsite to ensure efficient completion of tasks.
Heating and Cooling
Jail
Westville, IN
09.2007 - 09.2010
- Assisted other technicians in their duties as needed.
- Provided emergency services after normal business hours when necessary.
Welder
Rowe Truck Equipment
Otterbein, IN
10.2006 - 08.2007
- Monitored the fitting, burning, and welding processes to avoid overheating of parts or warping, shrinking, distortion, or expansion of material.
- 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.
- Fabricated and welded components to assemble structural forms, such as machinery frames, tanks, pressure vessels, and furnace shells.
- Troubleshot problems related to welds including porosity issues caused by improper shielding gas flow rates.
- Adjusted settings on machines such as current level so it matches the specifications outlined in blueprints and drawings.
- Set up welding machines based on the job at hand.
Area Coordinator
Tenneco Inc
Smithville, TN
02.2004 - 02.2006
- Monitored and evaluated employee performance, providing feedback for improvement.
- Analyzed operational trends to identify areas of improvement within the organization.
- Resolved conflicts between employees while maintaining a positive work environment.
- Tracked inventory levels and ordered supplies when necessary.
- Developed and implemented policies and procedures to ensure efficient workflow processes.
- Supervised staff by providing guidance and direction when necessary.
Welder
Rowe Truck Equipment
Otterbein, IN
01.2003 - 01.2004
- Monitored the fitting, burning, and welding processes to avoid overheating of parts or warping, shrinking, distortion, or expansion of material.
CNC Machine Operator, Welder, and Robot Operator
Hendrickson Trailer Suspensions
Lebanon, IN
01.2001 - 01.2003
- Read and interpreted blueprints, sketches, drawings, manuals, specifications or sample parts to determine dimensions and tolerances of finished work piece.
- Monitored machine operation to detect malfunctions or out-of-tolerance machining.
- Ensured that all components met customer requirements before being packaged for shipment.
- Loaded raw materials into production equipment according to job orders while maintaining proper inventory levels.
- Maintained quality control by inspecting parts for conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
- Set up and operated CNC machines to perform repetitive machining operations on a variety of materials according to specifications.
- Troubleshot issues related to tooling or programming errors using problem solving techniques.
- Performed minor maintenance such as cleaning and lubricating machines.
- Performed regular preventive maintenance tasks on CNC machinery.
- Verified settings by measuring positions, first-run parts and sample works with micrometers, calipers or other measuring instruments.
- Adjusted machine feed and speed, changed cutting tools, adjusted machine controls as necessary during the run cycle.
- Identified opportunities for process improvement and increased efficiency.
- Changed out aging tools, fixtures and offsets.
- Achieved safety, quality, and performance standards to meet production schedules.
Welder, Machine Operator, and Road Crew
Canam Steel
Lafayette, IN
10.1994 - 01.2001
- Adjusted settings on machines such as current level so it matches the specifications outlined in blueprints and drawings.
- Cleaned joints before beginning any type of welding process by chipping off slag with a hammer or wire brush.
- Applied shielded metal arc welding techniques with electrodes in flat, horizontal vertical positions as well as overhead applications.
- 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.
- Performed gas tungsten arc welding with filler rods as needed.
- Trained apprentices in safety procedures and use of tools, equipment used during fabrication, welding operations.
Welder and Press Operator
Consolidated Industries
Lafayette, IN
10.1990 - 10.1994
- Fabricated and welded components to assemble structural forms, such as machinery frames, tanks, pressure vessels, and furnace shells.
- Constructed templates and jigs for fabrication according to blueprints.
- Set up welding machines based on the job at hand.
- Performed preventative maintenance on welding tools and equipment.
- Installed new plant equipment per manufacturer's instructions while adhering to safety protocols.
- Applied shielded metal arc welding techniques with electrodes in flat, horizontal vertical positions as well as overhead applications.
- Communicated effectively with supervisors regarding progress updates on assigned tasks.
Welder and Machine Operator
Steel Joist
Lafayette , IN
08.1985 - 10.1990
- Performed preventative maintenance on welding tools and equipment.
- Monitored the fitting, burning, and welding processes to avoid overheating of parts or warping, shrinking, distortion, or expansion of material.
- Fabricated and welded components to assemble structural forms, such as machinery frames, tanks, pressure vessels, and furnace shells.
- Set up welding machines based on the job at hand.
Education
High School Diploma -
Benton Central Jr-Sr High School
Oxford, IN05-1985
Skills
- Teamwork and Communication
- Parts Assembly
- Quality Assurance
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Safety Procedures
- Component Fabrication
- Blueprint Reading
- MIG welding
- Structural welding
- Quality Control
- Assembly Planning
- Stick Welding
- Torch operation
- Pipe welding
- Brake Press Operation
- Power Tool Operation
- Fabrication
- Edge Joining
- Welding
- Teamwork and Collaboration
Timeline
Pipe Welder, Fabricator, and General Maintenance
Austin Industries
05.2024 - Current
Pipe Welder, Fabricator, and General Maintenance
B & H INC of Lafayette
08.2011 - 05.2024
Construction Worker
John Vanerkolk Construction / Trinity Mission
09.2010 - 08.2011
Heating and Cooling
Jail
09.2007 - 09.2010
Welder
Rowe Truck Equipment
10.2006 - 08.2007
Area Coordinator
Tenneco Inc
02.2004 - 02.2006
Welder
Rowe Truck Equipment
01.2003 - 01.2004
CNC Machine Operator, Welder, and Robot Operator
Hendrickson Trailer Suspensions
01.2001 - 01.2003
Welder, Machine Operator, and Road Crew
Canam Steel
10.1994 - 01.2001
Welder and Press Operator
Consolidated Industries
10.1990 - 10.1994
Welder and Machine Operator
Steel Joist
08.1985 - 10.1990
High School Diploma -
Benton Central Jr-Sr High School
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