i really "learned" how to weld(mig) on dump trucks.... i worked for a guy who was 3 days older than dirt, been doin it his whole life. the day i started he told me to forget EVERYTHING that i was tought.... he basically showed me how he wanted it, and explained why he wanted it that way. i worked for that guy for a few years on/off and never stopped learning new tricks, not just in welding, but in all aspects of fab work and repair. as for how/when did i know i was good enough to trust my work..... when the old man said it was good 'nuff... it was. i still have a few things floating around that i built prior to really "learning" and wonder how the stuff hasnt fallen apart yet.
i transitioned from the dump trucks and heavy equipment into a street rod shop, then went sideways into hard core trail trucks..... now i do a lil bit of everything, the only downfall is that i tend to "over build" everything....... but with 12 years professionally i have only had 1 weld failure(it was on my own 4x4...and technically it was just tacked)
hope that helps a lil.
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