I took a basic welding class last quarter, and took some pictures. I
found it fun, and made some progress, though it wasn't pretty, lol. Following are some pictures of my progress. I enjoyed the class so much I registered for the evening creative welding class for spring quarter 2017.
I learned welding takes patience and a lot of practice to make a pretty, and strong weld, both of which I haven't gotten down yet, but I will.
First night, first time with stick. 6010
A little fun with 6010
A star is born
6010 filling up the star on apposing corners
More passes with 6010. beads getting better and more consistent, but still not pretty. Progress is progress though.
Fresh corner to start some 7018
I like 7018, nicer beads, Only cleaned with wire brush, no grinding or wire wheel use.
Looking to my future as a technician
begins with looking back. Since I was a kid I was always had an
affinity for large machines, and anything with an engine. Tractor
trailers, and locomotives (both steam, and diesel electric) always
got my attention. I had said one day I would drive a semi truck, and
perhaps someday be an engineer on a train. When I was 22 I went to
C.R. England truck driving school and got my class A commercial
driver license, which I still have. I drove long haul for a couple
years, then I drove fuel tankers for couple years before going back
over the road. I drove off and on from 1998 till 2015. I decided I
wanted a change and took a year to plan what direction I would take.
I still like trucks and trains, and decided I still to be involved in
the industry, just in a different role. I registered at Bellingham
technical College in the spring of 2016, and applied for the Diesel
Technology program.
This brings up to date, and where I am
deciding where I'm going to go from here. I'm planning on continuing
my education even past BTC, and will get my Bachelors of Applied
Science in Diesel Technology from another school when I finish here.
I know the BAS degree will open up more doors for me. I'm
particularly interested in a career working with diesel electric, and
hybrid technology locomotives.
I'm planning on doing my initial
internship as a diesel truck technician at a dealer level, as I want
to stay local while still in my program at BTC. Then I plan to get an
internship at locomotive service shop when I work on my BAS, and get
start my career in the locomotive industry when I complete my degree.
A position of great interest is as a
Service Engineer at Progress Rail, a Caterpillar subsidiary that
builds EMD locomotives, and well as many other rail and freight
related products and solutions. From the research I've
done, it shows Progress rail offers a lot of opportunity to
move forward, and their employees like working for them.
Interpersonal skills, problem solving,
customer relations, analytical ability, mechanical and electrical
aptitude, knowledge of fundamental inspection, Ability to read
Engineering drawings, research, and training and developing new
employees are all a part of the skills required as a service engineer
at Progress Rail. This position is also eligible for relocation
benefits. Salary is $46K average, up to about $65K for senior service engineer.
*Their 401(k) plan includes a generous company match and immediate vesting.
*Their relocation benefits may include repayment agreement, miscellaneous expense allowance, broker registration, house hunting, temporary living, home sale assistance, home purchase closing costs, duplicate housing, rental assistance, final move, movement of household goods, spouse career assistance and tax assistance.
Benefits of working for Progress Rail,
and EMD.
Being a part of Caterpillar gives
Progress Rail and EMD greater access to new technology, and gives
them more leverage in the marketplace.
There's piece of mind. Progress rail
cares about the environment, their re-power units use up to 90%
recycled content and fuel savings of 10-25%.
In conclusion, I feel Progress Rail would be a great company to work for, that cares about their employees, as well as their customers. I will continue my education and training as well, and move into other positions as I gain experience and seniority.
I picked up a new tool chest awhile back that was great reduced in price due to damage in shipping. I'm not skilled at metalworking, but took a shot at repairing the damage enough for it for be functional. Following are picture of initial damage and my progress.
Looking forward to my future as a diesel tech. I'm looking into dealership technician opportunities Locally at first, and then further out. I've got my entry level tool chest.
I'm adding to the tools I've accumulated over the years. I'd say I have a fair start on tools, though I know I need more, and better quality. I know I won't have the luxury of being able to run to the tool store whenever I need something I don't have, so I'm using the tool list provided as well as researching what tools I will need first in my new career path.
I also know that as a dealership technician, and since I have a CDL already, I may be required to run a service truck, so I'll need to be very self sufficient, and work in adverse conditions. With personal history working labor jobs in the outdoors, I have an idea what to expect as far as weather is concerned, though I know trucks breakdown in some very inconvenient locations s weather isn't the only player.
Where do I see myself in 5 years?
I'm planning on getting my BAS in Diesel tech, which will take a couple years once I finish the Diesel tech program here at BTC. I plan to move into more supervisory roles, and perhaps working with some engineering after completing my degree. I'm still researching possibilities and opportunities that will be available with a higher degree and I'll expand my career outlook by next Monday.
Last week I calibrated my Wright Tool torque wrench. Simple, yet time consuming process using the digital Snap-On torque meter. It involved removing the jam nut holding the micrometer handle, removing handle and threading the threaded rod further into torque wrench body, then reassembled handle and jam nut. This process was to be repeated for each adjustment, with torque wrench at lowest setting. Calibration was done at 1/2 range on wrench, 125ft/lb in this case. Once I got the torque wrench within +/- 1ft/lb at 125, I checked at 200 and 75 as well.
What I learned was calibration of a micrometer style torque wrench requires patience and attention to detail.
