THE QATSPY® From the Kerosene Cowboy Journal Perception
By: Charles W. Boatright
I Don’t Need Therapy I Just Need to Weld– I’m a Not DEM or WOKE, I DON’T Need Therapy, I just need to Burn Rods, Smell Flux, & Enjoy Heavy Metal. I love the Smell of fresh Coffee, Flux and working with Heavy Metal in Morning!
Since I have retired, I have been able to pick up welding again and work on projects that I have been meaning to do FIRST- To keep me busy; TWO- I enjoy doing welding that I considered therapeutic; and THREE- Manufacture Grill/Smokers for meats and vegetables. If you want a good grill/smoker you got to have heavy metal to start with FIRST.
Regardless of your current profession and/or major at the present time, do yourself a huge favor and learn to work with your hands in trade skill. While I was working as a Grid Engineer with a utility here in Mississippi, I went to VOTECH College and picked welding as my second profession when I retired. Best decision that I have ever made for my health and fitness just like working out in my gym is.
I Enjoy Heavy Metal
I never had more enjoyment than getting my blue jeans and khaki shirt dirty, burning rods, smelling flux, and lifting heavy metal. With a small investment in a 180 amp Lincoln Welder and Plasma cutter, you can start a second career now or when you retire and become a popular guy or gal in your neighborhood.
You produce grills/smokers that are heavy duty metal that won’t deteriorate or rust out. You will enjoy that time cooking outside and enjoy a quiet time smelling that aroma of hickory smoke filling the neighborhood.
Welding, a Hobby you will enjoy more than any other hobby
Like one of my high school buddies said, if you enjoy working with wood, you will absolutely love picking up welding. I would advise those thinking about welding to purchase an auto darkening welding hood with grinding mold and welding jacket with leather sleeves with a good pair of welding gloves. Just a tip to keep from sticking welding rods; you don’t strike an arc, you instead draw an arch.
You will have the most satisfaction and enjoyment that you will ever have as close as you can get to your gym workout. I workout 6 days a week and in my welding shop and gym. I contribute my health even at age 66 to my workout in my gym and working in my welding shop.
There is no more satisfaction than working with your hands that involves your mind, body, and soul to create products that you can use and entertain guests. Having a few drinks while preparing steak, chicken, turkey, fish, or vegetables over a grill/smoker with friends; doesn’t get any better than THAT.
Requisitioning Steel for Your Project
I designed and ordered the steel from Metal Super Market for my projects where you can just concentrate on welding up your projects. But first when you receive your order take a Sharpie Metallic marker and label MARK No.’s on all your pieces FIRST, organization is your first step toward a successful project. I use my Engineering background to prepare shop drawings for my projects.
To Our Young Adults in High School or College
Those young adults that are in high school or college, please either consider a VOTECH Trade course for your main career or for your second career when you retire, as I have done.
You will become people’s best friend when you can apply your skill to helping others. I have never been more content having my morning coffee, smelling flux, and lifting heavy metal in the morning. That is a great way to start your day. You will lose all sense of time while burning rods producing a product that you will enjoy with others.
I never regret picking up the trade in welding, but one little piece of advice that I would provide others, especially if you’re in high school, it is to enjoy your math and business writing courses; and become proficient at them both. Please stay up on your math skills; because you will need math in your welding projects. I’m in my element drawing shop plans, cutting orders, and getting dirty welding.
Nothing is more satisfying than after a full day, sitting down with a glass of ice tea or beer and looking over what you had completed and being dirty doing it all.