Life of a Rig Welder in West Texas with Juan Balderas

Dive into the heart of the Permian Basin with Juan Balderas, a seasoned rig welder whose journey embodies remarkable adaptability and resilience in the ever-evolving oil and gas industry. In this enlightening episode, Juan shares his firsthand experiences, shedding light on how to thrive amidst industry crises through tenacity and foresight.
From the significance of strategic networking to the power of relationships in navigating the ebbs and flows of oilfield life, Juan's story is a compelling testament to professional growth and crisis management.
Discover how Juan's commitment to giving back to the community and his innovative approaches have not only propelled his career forward but also inspired many in his field. His insights into the challenges and rewards of the oil and gas sector, especially in regions as dynamic as the Permian Basin, are invaluable for anyone looking to understand the intricacies of industry evolution.
Whether you're a veteran of the oil and gas industry or just fascinated by stories of resilience and innovation, this episode offers profound lessons on the importance of adaptability, strategic networking, and the enduring value of hard work and community support.
Tune in now for a captivating exploration of life as a rig welder in West Texas, filled with valuable insights on navigating industry challenges, leveraging the power of relationships, and the unparalleled strength found in community unity. Join us in celebrating Juan Balderas' journey-a narrative of overcoming adversity, embracing change, and the relentless pursuit of professional excellence in the face of uncertainty.
Website:
www.powerofthepermian.com
TikTok:
/ powerofthepermian
#sobrietyjourney #oilandgas #rigwelder #oilandgasindustry
CHAPTERS:
0:00 - TikTok Welding Tips by Juan
0:50 - Importance of Welding Education & Training
2:27 - Overcoming Loneliness as a Welder
3:58 - Addressing Substance Abuse in Welding
7:06 - Journey to Sobriety: A Welder's Story
10:18 - TikTok's Influence on Welding Industry
11:22 - Welding Projects: Quality vs Quantity
17:55 - DIY Welding Machine Repairs
19:30 - Stress Management for Rig Welders
21:36 - Motivation & Incentives for Welders
23:15 - Challenges of Job Security in Welding
26:08 - The Art of Cutting Welds Correctly
28:04 - Certified Welding Inspectors Insights
34:35 - Understanding Theatrical Drag Ups in Welding
36:55 - Reasons Welders Drag Up
38:15 - Financial Waste in Welding Companies
42:10 - Top Paying Welding Careers 2023
48:00 - Getting Started in the Welding Field
56:45 - TikTok as a Welding Educational Tool
1:01:10 - Learning Welding Through Experience
1:03:05 - Overcoming Stigma in Asking Welding Questions
1:05:32 - Professional Boundaries in Welding
1:08:58 - Self-Love & Mental Health for Welders
1:11:00 - Concluding Welding Insights
Subscribe to Power of the Permian
KZbin: / @powerofthepermian
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3OZjSuB...
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Power of the Permian is produced by Forty Wolves Studios in Downtown Midland Texas
fortywolves.com
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[@VantageWelding]

Juanito and I worked for the same contractor at one point in my career. I was at my lowest point mentally and financially. The contractor gave me an ultimatum. "Get a roll out wheel, or get f$$$ed." At the time, Juan was at a different battery station then I was, and honestly don't know how he heard about that interaction. Next morning I'm driving in to work from Pecos into Mentone, praying I don't get fired for not having a roll out wheel. I show up to my hooch, and there was a fab table with a roll out wheel. I'm thinking, "damn they are ready to replace me." Long story short, foreman pulls up and says, "Chapo says you can borrow it until you get up on your feet." Chapo, I wish you the best in all your endeavors. You're a great human being.

[@PowerofthePermian]

Love this story, thank you so much for sharing! 🙏

[@512juancho]

STEP BROTHER IM STUCK!!😂😂😂 i always laugh at his videos

[@dannynewman8715]

Nice! My sober date is 9.6.22 and i stopped drinking to get back into welding. I first went to welding school in 2018 but I started drinking alot and stopped going to welding classes and now I'm almost 21 months sober from alcohol and I have a welding apprentice job and I'm back in school bout to get my d1.1 3g cert hopefully. Sobriety is the way!

[@eltavoloko4080]

Hahahaha every time he laughs at the end of the laugh I wait for the Daddyyyy 🤣🤣❤️

[@Paisanossinfrontera]

Felicidades a los dos!!! Muy buen contenido…. La parte de la entrevistadora muy atenta y muy acertada con sus preguntas!!! Y el entrevistado todo un chingon!!!! 100/100 felicidades!!!!

[@rickyolvera6492]

You need to get my boy Luis Loya

[@user-wt9jf7bc4s]

I second this

[@VantageWelding]

and Hector. That would be epic.

[@CSERepair]

@@VantageWeldingheard them brothers hustle hard

[@VantageWelding]

@@CSERepair yes sir. I’ve never worked with Luis, but have with Hector. Hell of a welder.

[@aaronnava9184]

Saludos desde Zaragoza Coahuila!

[@cristiancardona7282]

Hell ya cmon pa🔥🔥

[@frankie5oh673]

great podcast! very relatable

[@PowerofthePermian]

Thanks for watching!

[@210berny.]

ese chapito! 💪🏼

[@PTXRACING]

He’s a bad ass!

[@Dragonproductsltd]

Impressive jump in viewership! We love to see the oil and gas industry thriving on social media.

[@PowerofthePermian]

Thanks for the support, great to hear from you guys!

[@eduardopelayo1386]

Great stuff Salado from Pelayo from Wasco Ca

[@eduardopelayo1386]

Saludos

[@PowerofthePermian]

Thanks for watching!

[@SoyChirocoLoco]

Compa you make me LMAO 😂 saludos desde California brotha 🫡

[@luissalazar8178]

Ohhh daddy step brother estoy atorado en la secadora 🤠 😅 I came from TikTok 😂

[@theprostipimp7633]

Juanito needs a KZbin channel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jimmysegovia2851]

Ohhhh daddddy

[@johnmcgowan9903]

How's your structural welding hanging upside down?

[@catessc1]

When I worked the oil field in South Texas. If you we’re told to get a tool - you ran to go get that tool and ran back. If not there were 5 guys and a Mexican national read to take your place.

[@ChuyDaFreak]

Daddy chill!!!!

[@okiedoke6373]

Y'all said this guy's got a KZbin channel I can't find it what's it under

[@luisdavidmtz1351]

Es todo chapó

[@grantshannonwelding11]

I got called out to a job for saulsburry in Carlsbad because all 7 of their welders drug up 😂 Saulsbury is notorious for that ☠️

[@frankie5oh673]

steeeep brother! lmao

[@luisdiego4dd]

Ohhhhh daddyyyy

[@ashuraxll1090]

Ohh daddy 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️

[@samellis5751]

First time hearing this guy. I like his stance on holding people accountable. "You're full of shit". Lol

[@richardrodriguez7962]

Daddy my favorite! Daddy chill!!!

[@catessc1]

I was totally in to welding in the oil field. The rig welders were training me. Then I saw everything. So I joined the Army and worked on helicopters.

[@joshr8176]

What did you see?

[@okiedoke6373]

Miller Pipe Pro is nothing more than a disadvantage I mean vintage 17:23

[@Leogarzario]

1:05:34 crystal ?

[@Perryswrenching]

Step broootthheerrrr lmao

[@mselph544]

There is an issue IMO with the "inspector who hasn't welded before" section. I feel like the conversation was left to "emotion" of how the "non welder" CWI is vs the "has welded" CWI should be in the overall process. I agree that a person should understand the process to a large extent. However, emotion of "well, I feel bad about the conditions..." can't play a role in the final grade of the weld when it's done to a code. The code is laid out. Any direction steered less/more stringent is just not applicable to the finaly buyer of the asset/documents. It is either to the standard based on the standard or not. Not laying hate, just an ethical understanding of the job responsibilities. Also, a welder who's eyes aren't what they use to be probably shouldn't role into the inspection side. Inspection, all around, has a huge qualification based on visual inspection. I'm not an Inspector who suits on process workers, I learned to weld (on the hobby side) because I wanted to know more about the process and what happens. Inspection is there for a reason. There are some assholes that feel they need to prove something. You can sniff those out in a second and they'll be red dyed on that project in a moment. Good interview. I really enjoyed it. 12 year PAUT Inspector with a large focus on rehab pipeline work here & API 1169. I love working and chatting with welders. They bring a lot to the table for knowledge.

[@mselph544]

I made this comment at the 33:30 mark. Still watching

[@julianrothman4043]

Interview a coating Inspector

[@omar4452]

Daddy 😂

[@samellis5751]

$35 an hour? I thought Welders were $125 an hour.. A lawn irrigation tech makes $125 an hour.

[@Chayaz5]

35 and hour with perdiem usually 120$ a day and then for the machine and then the hours that they put in 66+ hours usually 11 hours a day 6 days a week making much more then that crap you just named

[@okiedoke6373]

You're trying to get sober there's no such thing as a social drink one too many 1000 never enough does it matter how long you haven't drank you're still an alcoholic there's people been sober for 27 years 30 years and started drinking and never recovered from that

[@aq2803]

Daadddyyy ssttoopo it