#WhyWeWeld: Daniel Ossig

Daniel Ossig is a German welder who is known online for sharing his TIG welds. We interviewed him to learn about his training in Germany, his full-time job at a boilermaker firm, and his online store, where he sells welded artwork and other items.

For our readers who don't know about your work, can you share a bit yourself and your passion for welding?

I’m Daniel, I’m 38 years old and I’m from Germany, near Frankfurt. I started different kinds of welding procedures in 2011 while doing an apprentice as a metalworker/boilermaker, after leaving the German Army.

In 2018, I started intensive welding, mainly TIG with stainless steel as a self-employed welder. I tried to teach myself this procedure with the inspiration and motivation I found on Instagram.

Can you tell us about your experience as a welder and why you chose to learn to weld?

I spent some time working at a boilermakers business. To be honest, I learned to TIG weld because I didn’t like the fact that someone else had to weld the boilers and containers after I worked on them.

You're from Germany. Can you tell us about the experience of learning to weld in Germany? Is there a certification or training process that you had to complete?

Yes, there are different certifications and codes needed depending on what kind of welding you do. Welders are tested every two years on different necessary components for their job.

There are also some training centres run by the government here in Germany, where you can run through some classes and courses while completing your apprenticeship.

But honestly, these classes are pretty basic and I wish there were more non-government facilities available to pay more attention to the details of TIG and other procedures.

Can you tell us about your online store and the products you weld for sale?

My online store is only a little side project. Some people have asked me to sell a few products, like key chains and welded artwork. I try to hold costs down and I don’t aim for a big profit. This is more like a hobby, so I just aim to get paid for necessaries and consumables.

Is your online store the main project that you work on, or do you have a separate day job? Can you tell us about the work you do full-time?

My day job involves working at some companies which produce vacuum parts. They, as a customer, hire me to work on their projects. I can work either in-house, at their facilities, or in my own shop for them.

What is your favourite project that you've worked on so far?

My favourite project was a while back, when I had the opportunity to fabricate and weld a showcase for high quality watches. It is now displayed in a watches and jewelry store. I really enjoyed working with the two designers and trying to bring their idea to reality. Also, the customers’ appreciation was really pay back in itself.

What is your advice for your beginners who are interested in learning more about welding, especially in terms of precise technique and proper execution of different welding methods?

Stay open minded to everything new. Try to understand the feeling of different materials. Figure out which technique or method and rhythm and speed works for you and the material that you’re working on at the moment.

Don’t rely on settings someone else gave to you — this may work for them, but that doesn’t mean this will work for you too. Be proud of what you achieve, but also, stay humble and hungry for more! All the best!