Bernie Bisnette has no blueprints, no boss, and no clue where to begin.  His only companions on the job are his welding tools and the trolley car in front of him that he’s about to restore.

A streetcar to desire [again]

Welder/fabricator gets century-old trolleys back on track

By Amanda Carlson
July 27, 2009

Welder/fabricator Bernie Bisnette takes the corroded, worn-down, and skeletal remains of trolley cars and restores them to their original appearance for the Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport, Maine.

As the only metalworking restoration technician at the Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport, Maine, Bernie Bisnette likens his job to a case of attention deficit disorder (ADD). Bouncing around from one trolley project to another and switching gears from removing rivets, to annealing work-hardened steel, to building up components worn down by years of corrosion are enough to make anyone wonder.

While it can be a lot for just one person to handle, the retired Marine Corps aircraft maintenance mechanic remembers that the job requires no blueprints, no expensive equipment, and allows him to be 100 percent creative. The best part is he finds his escape from the high-stress, fast-paced computer-driven world when it”s just him and a 100-year-old piece of American history. What could be better?

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At the beginning of September this year, way up north in Calgary, Alberta, hundreds of young professionals from all over the world will congergate to compete in WorldSkills 2009.   Particpants compete in areas ranging anywhere from bricklaying and hairdressing to robotics and floristry.

However, since this is a welding blog, you’ll probably be leaning toward the construction metal works, welding, and sheet metal technology categories.

This is what WorldSkills International has to say about the event:

Power. Passion. Precision. Craftsmanship. Camaraderie. Competition!

These six words represent the thrill, excitement and spirit of WorldSkills International.

Every two years, hundreds of the best young professionals from trades, service and technical programs around the world gather to showcase their talents and abilities. This thrilling, high-performance, four day WorldSkills Competition is the biggest event of its kind in the world.

WorldSkills International was established in 1950. Today it is made up of 51 Member countries/regions worldwide. Participants compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals – striving to excel in world-class standards in 45 skill categories, ranging from cabinetmaking to web design.

Yet WorldSkills International is more than just a head-to-head challenge between aspiring professionals. It is a unique, not-for-profit, non-political, non-denominational association whose Members are responsible for promoting vocational education and training in their respective countries/regions.

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For more information, you can go to the WorldSkills Calgary website HERE.

As only the second Canadian host of this event in its 59-year history, WorldSkills Calgary 2009 is proudly hosting The 40th WorldSkills Competition from September 1 – 7, 2009. Over 900 international Competitors will compete simultaneously in 45 skill categories during four days of intense Competition on Stampede Park in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Hailed as the pinnacle of global skills, trades, and technology competition, this biennial event promotesWelding, construction metal works, and sheet metal technology excellence and international competency industry standardsCONTINUE READING ONLINE -

For More Information

• If you are interesting in welding, click on the link to access a list of welding disciplines, career opportunities and welding schools throughout the U.S. •Click on the link to access awelding school in your area. • Jennifer Simpson, the creator of the carmenelectrod.com, a welder’s Web site, gives some tips for women in the welding industry. Click on the link to read her suggestions. •Click on the link to get some information on where to buywelding clothes for women.

Check out this shout-out Carmen Electrode got on News 8 Austin!
This sidebar is taken directly from Channel News 8′s page on this article about women welders:

Welding industry could use a feminine touch

8/6/2009 11:58 AM

By: Bonnie Gonzalez

The welding industry could use a woman’s touch.

If you think welding is a man’s job, think again.

Carissa Love is a top welding student at Texas State Technical College in Waco. She’s on an equal playing field, if not higher with the rest of the crowd, according to welding instructor Ryan Rummel.

“She’s one of the best welders that we have here. Considering that she is the only girl out of 250 guys, she does a good job,” Rummel said.

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Not only are Carmen and our own Jennifer Simpson mentioned, but so is her article on Tips for Women in the Welding Industry and below it, Arc-Zone.com’s welding gear for women!

Thanks so much for featuring us Bonnie Gonzalez and News 8 Austin!

Editor’s Note: Yes, we know that carmenelectrod.com is not the actual name of this website, but the link itself is correct!
(It’s www.carmenelectrode.com, but you already knew that)

British Columbia Insitute of Technology (BCIT) Alumni Amber Lyn and Mimi Law make their home institute proud in this YouTube video from BCIT TV.  These women have combined their passions of art and welding to make some rockin’ metalwork.

If you’ve ever had any questions with regards to finding the proper filler metal for welding aluminum (or aluminium, as everyone else calls it), then look no further!  Tony Anderson from the AWS has exactly what you need:

Finding an ally alloy

6 variables that affect aluminum filler alloy selection

By Tony Anderson
May 15, 2009

Choosing the best filler metal for aluminum welding involves taking into account the operating conditions of the finished welded component as well as six important variables that can affect the operating condition.

Editor’s Note: This article is adapted from Tony Anderson’s presentation for the Aluminum Association Conference, May 5-6, 2009, Toronto, by the American Welding Society.

Filler alloy selection for welding aluminum is an essential part of the development and qualification of a suitable weld procedure specification (WPS). Choosing the most appropriate filler alloy for welding aluminum is based on the operating conditions of the finished welded component and a number of variables.

When selecting a filler alloy for welding aluminum, it’s a good idea to compare the performance of each filler alloy against each of the six variables: ease of welding, strength of the welded joint, ductility, corrosion resistance, sustained-temperature service, and postweld heat treatment.

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If you’re looking for some filler metal of your own, you can check out the Arc-Zone eBay Store.