Mum won't let me have an arc welder

[MRJJ007123445667687876]

I am a 15 year old boy living in rural Devon UK and wish to have a arc welder. But my Mum says it is too dangerous if I have been properly trained. I have already done some arc welding with a neighbor so has my Dad. I have also looked for a course for arc welding but there all aimed at people who wish to become professionals and too expensive.
How can I persuade my Mum and Dad to allow me to buy an arc welder?

[Salazar]

What do you need it for?

I'm inclined to say wait a year, get a job and buy it yourself.

[MRJJ007123445667687876]

I plan to make DIY projects for instance a peddle gokart

[MrsDmitriTippensKrushnic]

What are you planning to weld?

Yup, same answer as above. You want one, get a job, get trained, buy one. Similar answer my DSs get when they ask for daft expensive things

Good luck!

[MRJJ007123445667687876]

It isn't a daft expensive thing as I have the money for it

[FannyFifer]

Are you not a bit old for go carts?

Where would you be planning on using the welder?
Maybe if you bought it yourself & said you would only use it with your dad supervising?

[MRJJ007123445667687876]

Well I proposed that idea and my Mum said that I need to be properly trained

[RhondaJean]

Welding is dangerous. My dad is a properly trained welder with the vocational qualifications you need to work in welding and years of experience and he managed to set himself on fire while welding. If I was your mum, I wouldn't let you get welding equipment right now either, but how about a compromise of trying to find a training course so that you can be properly trained in how to use it and all the safety aspects and then you could get your own equipment.

[hagarthorne]

Perhaps if you spend the next few months displaying great responsibility and maturity (a great part of maturity is an ability to see another person's point of view) and at the same time saving up as much money as possible towards the cost you would have a better chance of achieving your goal.
Meanwhile, I suggest a paper round and a good first aid course (St Johns ambulance?) and putting together a list of other 15 year old you know who have arc welders and have survived unscathed.

[Salazar]

Well get a job, pay for the training, buy it and weld to your hearts delight then.

If you earn the money, you can spend it as you choose.

[wooldonor]

We can't really comment without knowing all the details and I'm sure your mum won't be persuaded by internet strangers but with certain provisos I'd let my 15 year old buy this sort of thing. It's good to learn skills like welding, we need competent practical young people entering the workforce.

[Madamecastafiore]

Bless you, I want to ruffle your hair.

If you were mine I'd make you a cake and show you pictures of horrific burns on the iPad whilst we sat and ate it with a nice cup of tea.

How about taxidermy.?

[YeGodsAndLittleFishes]

Arc welding kicks out pretty serious heat. Where would you do it? You have to consider where is safe for you to use it,as well as safety clothing and special visor. And you do need to be properly trained.

[BIWI]

LOL at Madamcastafiore.

Anyone would think you weren't taking the OP a first timer on MN seriously ...

[MRJJ007123445667687876]

As I live in the country I have a barn in which the previous owner built a workshop

[FannyFifer]

It will make you go blind you know,especially if you do it a lot.

[MRJJ007123445667687876]

Of course I will buy a welding helmet

[YeGodsAndLittleFishes]

Is it a wooden barn?

If you had a serious accident and harmed yourself and couldn't get to safety, who would know?

[TheHouseatWhoCorner]

Your mum is just being cautious because she loves you and she worries about you.
Do the training then your parents will appreciate your responsibility.
If you weren't a teen, I'd be suggesting learning to do that fancy dancy stuff with it so you can earn a million on BGT.

[MRJJ007123445667687876]

It is a cob/brick barn which is unlikely to collapse

[littleballerina]

Think you need to chat to your mum about it. Prove that you are mature enough to so this.

I love that you want to do this, its a great skill to learn! Show your mum how responsible you can be, no strops! And hopefully one day you'll be able to get your own.

Is your neighbor happy to let you use his now and then while he supervises? May be worth making a plan and building something impressive with him.

[hagarthorne]

You are lucky to have a barn as a workshop. It was very nice of your parents to give it to you. My own dcs own no property at all and I was unreasonable about them having Swiss Army knives for a very long time indeed.

There is a section called on this website called Am I Being Unreasonable. As an experiment you might like to put the question 'Am I Being Unreasonable to Allow my 15 year old son to have an Arc Welder?' The replies you get will help you to understand what your mother will be up against, should she break under the strain of pp (pesterpower).

[LettertoHerms]

Arc Welding can be dangerous if not done properly. Without a good welding mask, you risk permanent damage to your eyes, you could be blinded. Burns without proper leathers on to protect skin can be very severe. Without excellent ventilation, using an exhaust fan to remove particles from the air, you can cause long-term long damage (or immediate, severe poisoning, if for example you used an improper, treated metal.)

I love to weld, I'm a sculptor, but I'm only a beginner, and would never attempt my own set-up, I only weld under the supervision of licensed professionals - I take classes through my uni. They also provide all the safety equipment, fans, and screens - have you looked into the cost of all that?

I don't mean to discourage you, it's a fantastic skill and it's great you're passionate and want to do it, but if I was your mum I would tell you the same. Check for metalwork and sculpture classes, you may find some courses that teach welding in a supervised setting which aren't aimed at professionals.

[MRJJ007123445667687876]

Unfortunately my neighbor is a dairy farmer so is often busy

[littleballerina]

Great idea above!

[TequilaMockingbirdy]

How on earth do you remember your username with all those numbers!