Amateur Welder Tackles 10K Degrees & 300 MPH Sand Blasting: On the Clock

Wichita Falls (KFDX/KJTL) — Having only caught glimpses of my contemporaries' high school welding courses through open doors, I've never truly grasped what this profession entails or its significance.

However, following this episode of On the Clock, I definitely gained a newfound respect for the physical intensity—and heat—involved in every stage of the welding process.

The moment I arrived at Chantex Manufacturing for the first time, I was uncertain about what would greet me.

OTC: What methods do tree experts use to take down trees in confined areas without damaging the surroundings?

“First, we will complete all the flat welds,” stated welder David Dickey.

However, David took me under his wing and showed me everything I needed to know. The first step was getting properly equipped.

Now, we’re ready to spark up the welding machine, and the arc is hot, reaching up to 10,000 degrees.

"You should position it so that it’s around a 45-degree angle," David explained.

As a novice welder, I got tasked with working on the legs. This piece of metal will eventually be joined to an even larger structure for transporting natural gas.

After my shaky welding…

"Given how I performed today, do you think you'd hire me? Feel free to be truthful. You could always say no," I inquired of David.

Um, to be frank, I believe you can be trained," he replied. "I think we could find you a role or position somewhere.

...Now it's time to prepare it for painting using sandblasting.

“That’s really intense,” I said while watching a seasoned employee sandblasting. “It’ll be good. Yeah, it’ll be good! I won’t hit myself with sand.”

Julio helped me get dressed properly, but from then on, I had to handle firing sand particles at almost 300 miles per hour myself.

"Oh, that's great. That sounds exciting," I remarked following the blast. "This experience was awesome; it packed quite a punch. It feels almost artistic—like sculpting with grains of sand." "I believe I performed better here compared to when I tried welding earlier. With this activity, it's somewhat akin to using a larger paintbrush for sweeping motions, whereas with welding, precision is key, and my hands tend to shake uncontrollably," I explained.

After putting in a grueling day working in intense heat...

"Considering how I did, would you decide to employ me?" I questioned.

“Yes! You did good,” Julio said. “You did pretty good.”

Nothing compares to the refreshment of an icy cold water.

Listen to KFDX 3 for the following episode of On The Clock, airing at noon and 6 p.m. on Friday, May 2nd.

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