WELD

Justin LaFond built a welding career the hard way — through shop work, sales, field experience, and learning how to solve problems most people overlook.If you’re a welder trying to figure out your next move, avoid expensive career mistakes, or understand what opportunities exist beyond the booth, this episode gives you a real-world look at where welding can take you.In this episode, you’ll learn:• How Justin went from welding in a family shop to becoming a field application engineer at ESAB• Why the lack of a college degree became a challenge — and how experience, reputation, and networking helped him move forward• What simple shop issues cause the most welding problems, including liners, feedability, ground clamps, and overlooked consumables• Why auto-set machines and simplified welding technology can help shops but also leave welders without the fundamentals• How different regions of the U.S. offer different welding opportunities, from manufacturing and shipyards to pipe, tanks, heavy equipment, and structural workJustin LaFond is a field application engineer with ESAB who brings a practical, boots-on-the-ground perspective from years in welding, fabrication, distribution, sales, and technical support. His background includes general fabrication, structural work, stainless, heavy equipment repair, cryogenic certifications, and years of helping welders and shops troubleshoot real problems in the field. His path is especially valuable for welders who want to understand how far the trade can take them without following a traditional college route.Connect with Justin LaFond:Instagram: @justin_esabTikTok: @justin.lafond7Connect with Beau Wigington:Instagram: @beaudiditweldingDownload the WELD App:iOS: App Store https://goweld.link/AppleApp Android: Google Play https://goweld.link/AndroidIf this show has helped your welding career, leaving a 5-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts takes 30 seconds and helps other welders find it.#WeldingPodcast #WeldingCareer #WeldingJobs #WELD #TradeLife #WeldingLife #WeldingTips #WeldingEducation #WeldingTools #Fabrication

In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats with maker Jimmy DiResta about the tools that shaped his craft, from a rescued line-shaft drill press to heavy old bandsaws, and the down-to-earth methods he uses to restore, retrofit, and actually use vintage machines in a modern welding workflow.Connect with Jimmy DiRestaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmydiresta/Facebook: http://facebook.com/diresta/YouTube: @jimmydiresta Connect with BeauInstagram: @beaudiditwelding https://www.instagram.com/beaudiditwelding LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauwigington E-mail: beauw@weld.com

In this week's podcast host Beau Wigington explores the career path of a Boilermaker within the welding industry while attending the National Boilermaker Apprenticeship Championships, highlighting the diverse skill set required for this industrial profession. We discuss "what is a boilermaker" and the importance of a "boilermakers apprenticeship" for those interested in "skilled trades." We learned that Boilermakers are a little bit of everything, incorporating elements of rigging, welding, cutting, and fabrication, making it a comprehensive "welding apprenticeship" opportunity for any aspiring "welder."Key Topics Covered:- What a Boilermaker is (rigging, layout, planning, tube rolling, waterwall “Dutchman” repairs) and why welding is only ~10–15% of the trade.- How recruiting for the boilermakers apprenticeship works at the high-school level and why tuition-free training changes families’ trajectories.- The “apply now” process through BNAP, finding your local, and why initiative matters (call, visit, show up).- First-year expectations: heights, tight spaces, heavy machinery, union basics (dues, benefits, dispatch).- Skill progression: Stick plate → positions → MIG/flux-core structure → TIG (freehand & walking the cup).- Work realities: outages, 12-hour shifts, precise repairs, x-ray quality, and packing out.- Career growth: no seniority; apprentices who show up and lead can run work and become foremen fast.- Finding your niche: some chase welding certs; others fall in love with rigging or planning and excel there.Learn More About Joining The BoilermakersBoilermakers National Apprenticeship Program - https://www.bnap.com/ Save 20% On Related American Welding Program Courses With WELD20Use code WELD20 at checkout for eligible courses - https://foxly.link/9T3dtcConnect with Beau WigingtonInstagram: @beaudiditwelding — https://www.instagram.com/beaudiditwelding LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauwigington E-mail: beauw@weld.com

In this special 2025 recap episode of the WELD Podcast, host Beau Wigington is joined by Austin Hargett (Dr. Weldz) to look back on one of the biggest years yet for Weld.com.We break down some of our top performing videos of the year including Testing Viral Welding Hacks, Getting Dross Free Cuts with Plasma, and The Ultimate Guide to Weaving 7018. We also reflect on some of our favorite trips from 2025, from laser welding in Florida with Rex Alexandre, to visiting BZI in Utah, attending the Yeti Welding Competition, fly fishing out west, and asking Bo Jackson a question at Fabtech.We wrap things up with Maker Camp, where Dave took home Top Welder, and revisit some of our most memorable social media moments from the year. If you followed WELD in 2025, this episode ties it all together. If you are new, it is the perfect place to start.Key Topics DiscussedTesting viral welding hacks and what actually worksPlasma cutting tips for dross free cutsHow to properly weave 7018 stick electrodesLaser welding in Florida with Rex AlexandreVisiting BZI and attending the Yeti Welding CompetitionFabtech highlights and meeting Bo JacksonMaker Camp recap and Top Welder winnerViral welding social media moments from 2025Save 20% On Related American Welding Program Courses With WELD20Use code WELD20 at checkout for eligible courses - https://foxly.link/9T3dtcConnect with Austin HargettInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/dr.weldz/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-hargett-2545ba20a Email - Austinh@weld.comConnect with Beau WigingtonInstagram: @beaudiditwelding — https://www.instagram.com/beaudiditwelding LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauwigington E-mail: beauw@weld.comDownload the WELD App: https://foxly.link/Qj0VEa

In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats withJustin Lafond — applications engineer (ESAB) who calls the role the “Swiss Army knife” of welding support.Kaeleigh Wilkins — 3M Metalworking Application Engineer who moved from sales into a highly technical role without an engineering degree.Frank Vargas — national sales leader focused on relationship-driven technical selling in welding distribution.Cody Vigeant (American Welding Program) — on what makes a great instructor in today’s rapidly changing trade.Austin Hargett (“Dr. Welds”) — on staying energized as a welding instructor and balancing life, side work, and the classroom.Key Topics Covered:Why many high-pay welding careers don’t require holding a stinger every day (inspection, applications, distribution, education).Applications engineering: field problem-solving, process development, training, and customer saves—plus the reality of travel.No engineering degree? Mapping hands-on welding experience to technical job descriptions (Kaeleigh’s playbook).Distributor roles: technical sales and “solution finder” jobs that value people skills and fluent welding lingo.Teaching welding: avoiding burnout, finding the “small wins,” and staying current with robots/cobots.Future-proofing: adaptability and cross-process literacy as automation spreads.Memorable Quotes:“We’re the Swiss Army knives… expected to do all of it, anywhere, anytime.” — Justin Lafond“You can’t really learn our job unless you’re out there in the field doing it.” — Justin Lafond“I’m the only person on the team without an engineering degree… you can still be a fit if your experience matches the need.” — Kaeleigh Wilkins“The welding trade is moving at the speed of light—instructors have to stay keyed in.” — Cody Vigeant“The little wins from former students are what keep you going.” — Austin HargettSave 20% On Related American Welding Program Courses With WELD20 https://foxly.link/9T3dtcGuest Contacts:Justin Lafond - Applications Engineering (ESAB)LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-lafond-5a650b313Kaeleigh Wilkins - Application Engineering (3M)LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaeleigh-wilkins Frank Vargas - National Sales Manager (Uniweld)LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-vargas-0273a173 Cody Vigeant - Manager of Education Solutions (American Welding Program)LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-v-b4a857145 Austin Hargett (“Dr. Welds”) - Brand Ambassador / Operations Manager (Weld.com)LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-hargett-2545ba20a Connect with Beau WigingtonInstagram: @beaudiditwelding — https://www.instagram.com/beaudiditweldingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauwigingtonEmail: beauw@weld.comDownload the WELD App: https://foxly.link/Qj0VEa

In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats with Mark Levin, Nate Bowman, Jason Becker, Adam Stretch, Justin Nixon, and Austin Hargit about welding education that matches today’s work, how accredited testing actually runs, and practical technique myths, so you can pass tests, pick the right training path, and build a career you’re proud of.Key Topics CoveredApprenticeship that pays: Why Welder Underground hires 18–28-year-olds at $15/hr to learn and how “show up on time + bring enthusiasm” beats prerequisites.Realities of training: Traditional school vs. modern apprenticeship; teaching through a live 18-ft sculpture build bound for Paris.“Teach for the job”: Why MIG dominates entry-level work and how to prepare for it without ditching stick/TIG fundamentals.Test day without panic: What hold points are, why skipping one is an automatic fail, and how an ATF routes your test.Certificate vs. certification: What actually counts in industry and the paperwork/logistics behind true certs.Technique myths with evidence: Push vs. drag (short-circuit vs. spray), polarity (DC+ vs. DC−) explained in plain language.Flux-core with shielding gas: Why it can look good yet break brittle—what’s happening in the flux chemistry.Inspection mindset: Basing welds on data and repeatability “10 times out of 10,” not opinions.Career ladders: From welder to CWI/SCWI, plus where NDT and phased-array UT fit.Social media as a help line: Getting accurate guidance vs. filtered hype; how to vet advice.Save 20% On Related American Welding Program Courses With WELD20Use code WELD20 at checkout for eligible courses - https://foxly.link/9T3dtcGuests’ Content & ContactMarc LevinFull EP - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/b9USCroNxYb Instagram - @welderundergound https://www.instagram.com/welderunderground/ Nate BowmanFull EP - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/Fm1dGXvNxYb Instagram - @weldscientist https://www.instagram.com/weldscientist/ Jason BeckerFull EP - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/YZs86gBNxYb ​Instagram: @arcjunkiespodcast https://www.instagram.com/arcjunkiespodcast/ Adam StreichFull EP - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/SjMHDYGNxYb Instagram - @akstreich https://www.instagram.com/akstreich/ Justin MixonFull EP - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/VEG22HKNxYb Instagram - @thatclassy_diver https://www.instagram.com/thatclassy_diver/ Austin HargettFull EP - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/UCaeIVQNxYb Instagram - @dr.weldz https://www.instagram.com/dr.weldz/ Connect with Beau WigingtonInstagram: @beaudiditwelding — https://www.instagram.com/beaudiditwelding LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauwigington E-mail: beauw@weld.com