How I became a pipeline welder

Going through the steps it took me to get to where I am as a pipeline welder.

[@lukebailey9532]

Thank you for your service

[@DownhillWelder300]

Thank you!

[@lukebailey9532]

@@DownhillWelder300 im currently in welding school. My goal is to be a pipeline rigwelder and men like you are an inspiration. Especially your background in the military. So Thank you

[@jacobperez7246]

I appreciate you taking the time to explain your journey to become a pipeline. thank you for your service as well, im trying to convince my brother to weld with me when he's out of the service.

[@DownhillWelder300]

Thanks for the comment! It’s an honest living!

[@cameronreeves8965]

Awesome video! Great advice!Thank you for your service!

[@redneck_welder]

There's the video I was waiting for, thank you for sharing this bud. 👌

[@DownhillWelder300]

Thanks for being patient!

[@ronniedavis3273]

Great video, love your channel.

[@DownhillWelder300]

Thanks a lot! I appreciate that!

[@haroldkelley5089]

Cool story! 😂 that first truck was famous! Happy for you buddy. Keep hammering 👍

[@DownhillWelder300]

Thanks a lot HA!! Wouldn’t be here without you!

[@suecrothers9041]

Appreciated sharing your story. Story how hard work pays off. Enjoy your channel.

[@DownhillWelder300]

Great! I’m glad you’re enjoying the content. Thanks for your support!

[@Dad_duramaxben4]

Our stories are so similar it’s spooky. Just substitute farming for military and our careers sound very similar. 422/597 building trades hand turned almost ten years pipelining in Chicago. Keep up the videos!

[@DownhillWelder300]

Nice! I’m in 597. I’ve welded for peoples, Nicore and Nipsco up there. I try to stay in the southern part of the state. lol

[@stevenshupert]

Your a hell of a guy man. Thanks.

[@DownhillWelder300]

Thanks for the support!

[@HurleyLawn94]

I like you taking time to make this. Good knowledge for younger generation looking at field. Thank you

[@DownhillWelder300]

Thanks for the support. Just trying to give a little back.

[@brockfliehman2978]

Come on man we need more content from you please

[@andrewhilterbrand8958]

Awesome story 👍🏻

[@DownhillWelder300]

Thanks!

[@texasproud3332]

Good video reminds of how I started in the electrical union here in Texas early on went through there apprenticeship program never looked back I am retired now my son is now in the union and very proud not necessarily cause it’s union but because how hard he has worked

[@DownhillWelder300]

Hard work is always something to be proud of!

[@ianfenner7702]

Thanks for making this one I’m very lost on where to start lol

[@DownhillWelder300]

You’re welcome. Hopefully it helps!

[@AlexMurray]

I’m enjoying these. Just recently got my weld inspection license and my coating as well. Graduated from college with a mechanical engineering degree, but love this industry and type of work I get to do way more. Maybe we’ll work together one day. I work east coast typically wv, pa, va, areas.

[@DownhillWelder300]

Thanks a lot! It’s a small world working pipeline. We could most certainly cross paths someday.

[@JoshuahFontenot]

I really appreciate you taking the time to tell us your story. I was wondering how do you find distribution contractors, I’ve never heard of this side of pipeline until now.

[@DownhillWelder300]

You’re very welcome. Distribution is typically the liver pressure gas lines that run through towns. Every gas company in the country has contractors working for them in some capacity replacing or upgrading the system. Look for big rolls of yellow plastic pipe!

[@jeffreyplumber1975]

A rreally interesting history and not overly rambling The last part can pertain to many buisnesses and skilled trades to know someone. I think you knew "sombody" by your hard work. You knew that plumbing contractor that saw you liked what he saw offered you a job that got you to the union and you met the other guys and it snow balled but it aint just you knew somebody. It aint that you knew somebody that you werent run off , but totally get your point .. I never welded started out plumbing non union stuff and after around 15 years wound up going union did that plumbing for 10 then went to pipefitting and liked that best I was building trades we generaly have no helpers apprentices and journeyman pipefitters and welder pipefitters basicaly a pipefitter that can weld and has certs usually the same pay. really liked the pipefitting but never got much into welding now Im retired I just kinda timed out befor I got into that kinda wished I did but a lot of hours on the clock leaving it to you youngers! Thanks for your service!!

[@bobtompkins825]

Start out as a helper, keep your mouth closed, and pay attention to the journeyman welder and learn

[@darrinhouston133]

I am a welder too. I was in the Alabama National Guard Det 1 CO C 711TH Sig Bn retired now. OIF in 04 and 05

[@DownhillWelder300]

Thanks for your service!

[@darrinhouston133]

Thank you too

[@timf2914]

I thought you did a good job with this video keep them coming

[@DownhillWelder300]

Thank you. I appreciate that!

[@luisescobar7736]

How long were you a helper until you broke out on your own? love the videos!

[@DownhillWelder300]

Thanks for the comment! I helped for about 6 months before i broke out.

[@adamabarquez8257]

Good video brother, what are you recording on? Phone or go pro?

[@DownhillWelder300]

Thanks a lot! iPhone for now. Will probably be getting a GoPro or two soon.

[@AbramFehr-gf8io]

Hey that ram u have does it have a built transmission

[@LVCowboy_85]

Where are you finding SA200s for 2500? Does it just depend on the region? I don’t know where to look but everything I see is crazy expensive even for older machines

[@spencerthompson8987]

Where do you mostly work out of? I’m from PA always had the itch to kind of get into the pipeline but I’d love to just come hangout for a week with you and do a job shadow for free just to learn the basics from you!

[@DownhillWelder300]

I do my best to stay in Illinois and a little in Indiana.

[@jeffreyplumber1975]

@@DownhillWelder300 LU553?

[@AndrewLee-cg6uk]

man i wanna put a flat bed on my ford 7.3 1999... its got the 8 foot bed.... any good flat beds you recommend ?

[@DownhillWelder300]

Yeah, it was an 8’ bed. Martin truck bodies is about the only manufactured bed i would buy.

[@AndrewLee-cg6uk]

@@DownhillWelder300 thank you

[@logangedeon841]

How old were you when you broke out welding on the pipeline?

[@DownhillWelder300]

I started pipeline welding when I was 29 years old.

[@josephstroud-oj6tj]

What is a distribution contractor

[@NIHILWR]

my question exactly lmao. google told me thing lol

[@thomasmcnicholas8656]

I’ll take it your a bldg trades local member but rig weld ?? ….. I am, but work through 798 on a lot of gas compressor station jobs

[@fernandoduran4453]

First @ 2:20 in the morning 😂

[@DownhillWelder300]

Thanks!!

[@2015_Rubicnn]

1:30 am here in California

[@Cuontheflipside72]

I live in hellinois 😂 work in St. Louis

[@DownhillWelder300]

Not far from you then. I’m an hour east of St. Louis.

[@Larsen307]

Hey man I dm’d you on insta. Had a question but your rig is badass man stay safe out there

[@jarettbaxter5493]

I messaged you on instagram last week if you get a second to read it that would be awesome man if not I know you are busy love all of the content man

[@DownhillWelder300]

I replied to it. Good hearing from you!

[@jarettbaxter5493]

@@DownhillWelder300 thanks man

[@adamcoffed5319]

Thank you for your service

[@DownhillWelder300]

You’re very welcome. Thanks for the support!