Welding is used to join beams when constructing buildings, bridges and other structures, and pipes in pipelines, nuclear power plants and refineries. Welders use all types of welding equipment in a variety of positions, such as flat, vertical, horizontal and overhead. They may perform manual welding, in which the work is entirely controlled by the welder, or semi-automatic welding, in which the welder uses machinery, such as a wire feeder, to help perform welding tasks. They generally plan work from drawings or specifications, or by analyzing damaged metal parts, using their knowledge of welding and metals. They select and set up welding equipment and examine welds to insure they meet standards or specifications.
Some welders have more limited duties.
They perform routine production work that has already been planned and laid out. These jobs do not require knowledge of all welding techniques. Cutters dismantle large objects, such as ships, railroad cars, automobiles or aircraft. Some operate and monitor cutting machines similar to those used by welding machine operators. In this process, a machine performs the welding tasks while monitored by a welding machine operator .