Warships

• In the days before coal-fired ironclads began sailing the high seas, carpenters built, sealed and repaired the hulls of wooden frigates and man-o-wars. Now that warships are made from various metals and alloys, that task is the job of the welder. In shipyards, welders join together hulls of vessels that cost millions, or even billions, of dollars and create the internal skeleton on which technicians layer the sophisticated weapons, engine and computer systems that run modern warships.
  
  

Art

• Not everything a welder creates must have a strictly functional purpose: metal is just as useful as a canvas for artistic vision as it is for erecting buildings. Some welders use their knowledge of metals, and their ability to bind them together, to create impressive and thought-provoking sculptures or wall-mounted exhibits. These individuals might be welders who found an outlet for artistic expression, or artists who became welders so they could work with the metal medium.
  
  

Specialized Motorcycle Frames

• Another class of items that allows welders to combine an artistic streak with their work is making custom frames for motorcycle enthusiasts. The welder's ability to manipulate and join metal allows him to either follow through with creating a frame that a designer dreamed up, or to make his own dream bike a reality. These custom motorcycle frame can take any form, from a re-envisioning of classic sportster lines to highly stylized choppers that stand out on the street.
  
  

Oil Rig Support Systems

• One of the more challenging things for welders to create, and maintain, are the massive underwater support and drilling systems that keep off-shore rigs that drill for oil and natural gas operational. Because these structures are designed for extreme weather and rough seas, the work these welders put in on these structures has to be precise and high caliber. This is because the welder is doing everything she normally does, but she is doing it underwater. These individuals must frequently be certified scuba divers, in addition to their official certifications as welders.