Any advice for someone considering pipe fitting for a career?

I'm in commercial hvac sales
Have a couple customers who did the 4 year program at Ferris St, they are both top notch.

On topic, having been around construction and contractors my whole adult life, electricians have it made, hvac is a great field, side work is plentiful and lucrative.

You can get into hvac from fitters or sheet metal union. Fitters make more money.

Hvac is great if you ever plan to work for yourself.

I quit school in elementary because of recess.......too many games
--Riff Raff--

Posts: 2951 | Location: WV | Registered: September 02, 2006

Ignored post by ElKabong posted

Show Post

Lord Vaalic

Unapologetic Old
School Curmudgeon
Picture of Lord Vaalic

posted

Hide Post

As a former industrial electrician / robot tech being an electrician can be a lot of hard work. Try pulling 300 feet of 4/0 cable through conduit or climbing ladders with 150 foot robot cables on your shoulder. Not to mention the potential to BBQ yourself on 3 phase 480V at 600 amps.

That being said I enjoyed the job and always playing with new robotic tech. As the boss now I sit on my ass now, I miss debugging and learning new stuff.

Don't weep for the stupid, or you will be crying all day

Posts: 10764 | Location: TN | Registered: December 18, 2005

Ignored post by Lord Vaalic posted

Show Post

PowerSurge

Member

posted

Hide Post

quote:
Originally posted by Lord Vaalic:
As a former industrial electrician / robot tech being an electrician can be a lot of hard work. Try pulling 300 feet of 4/0 cable through conduit or climbing ladders with 150 foot robot cables on your shoulder. Not to mention the potential to BBQ yourself on 3 phase 480V at 600 amps.

That being said I enjoyed the job and always playing with new robotic tech. As the boss now I sit on my ass now, I miss debugging and learning new stuff.

For a run that long, we always use a wire tugger. But I work for a union shop. And most companies have a no hot work policy for insurance reasons. It’s been years since I’ve worked in any energized equipment at work. Side work is another story though.

———————————————
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Psalm 14:1

Posts: 4038 | Location: Northeast Georgia | Registered: November 18, 2017

Ignored post by PowerSurge posted

Show Post

Lord Vaalic

Unapologetic Old
School Curmudgeon
Picture of Lord Vaalic

posted

Hide Post

quote:
Originally posted by PowerSurge:
quote:
Originally posted by Lord Vaalic:
As a former industrial electrician / robot tech being an electrician can be a lot of hard work. Try pulling 300 feet of 4/0 cable through conduit or climbing ladders with 150 foot robot cables on your shoulder. Not to mention the potential to BBQ yourself on 3 phase 480V at 600 amps.

That being said I enjoyed the job and always playing with new robotic tech. As the boss now I sit on my ass now, I miss debugging and learning new stuff.

For a run that long, we always use a wire tugger. But I work for a union shop. And most companies have a no hot work policy for insurance reasons. It’s been years since I’ve worked in any energized equipment at work. Side work is another story though.

Stabbing buss boxes on live is a fun exercise! I used to set up weld lines for auto manufacturing, so lots of live equipment, no other choice, sometimes you cant power down. And why use a wire tugger, that's what the apprentices and noobs are for!

Don't weep for the stupid, or you will be crying all day

Posts: 10764 | Location: TN | Registered: December 18, 2005

Ignored post by Lord Vaalic posted

Show Post

Russ59

Member

posted

Hide Post

Which is more recession proof - electrician or pipe fitter? I'd imagine pipe fitter is more dependent upon new construction and strong economy.

P229

Posts: 3966 | Location: Sacramento, CA | Registered: November 21, 2008

Ignored post by Russ59 posted

Show Post

darthfuster

delicately calloused
Picture of darthfuster

posted

Hide Post

Maybe turn the water off first...

You’re a lying dog-faced pony soldier

Posts: 29943 | Location: Norris Lake, TN | Registered: May 07, 2008

Ignored post by darthfuster posted

Show Post

Expat

Spinnin' Chain
Picture of Expat

posted

Hide Post

I strongly recommend you consider an offshoot Journey Craft: Instrumentation. Nice work and solid demand.

Posts: 3270 | Location: Oregun | Registered: August 02, 2002

Ignored post by Expat posted

Show Post

Skins2881

Ammoholic

posted

Hide Post

quote:
Originally posted by Lord Vaalic:
quote:
Originally posted by PowerSurge:
quote:
Originally posted by Lord Vaalic:
As a former industrial electrician / robot tech being an electrician can be a lot of hard work. Try pulling 300 feet of 4/0 cable through conduit or climbing ladders with 150 foot robot cables on your shoulder. Not to mention the potential to BBQ yourself on 3 phase 480V at 600 amps.

That being said I enjoyed the job and always playing with new robotic tech. As the boss now I sit on my ass now, I miss debugging and learning new stuff.

For a run that long, we always use a wire tugger. But I work for a union shop. And most companies have a no hot work policy for insurance reasons. It’s been years since I’ve worked in any energized equipment at work. Side work is another story though.

Stabbing buss boxes on live is a fun exercise! I used to set up weld lines for auto manufacturing, so lots of live equipment, no other choice, sometimes you cant power down. And why use a wire tugger, that's what the apprentices and noobs are for!

Tugger? Tie that rope to the bobcat and you're GTG.

Non-energized circuits? Not familiar with them, sounds luxurious.

Jesse

Sic Semper Tyrannis

Posts: 21254 | Location: Loudoun County, Virginia | Registered: December 27, 2014

Ignored post by Skins2881 posted

Show Post

PowerSurge

Member

posted

Hide Post

quote:
Originally posted by Skins2881:
quote:
Originally posted by Lord Vaalic:
quote:
Originally posted by PowerSurge:
quote:
Originally posted by Lord Vaalic:
As a former industrial electrician / robot tech being an electrician can be a lot of hard work. Try pulling 300 feet of 4/0 cable through conduit or climbing ladders with 150 foot robot cables on your shoulder. Not to mention the potential to BBQ yourself on 3 phase 480V at 600 amps.

That being said I enjoyed the job and always playing with new robotic tech. As the boss now I sit on my ass now, I miss debugging and learning new stuff.

For a run that long, we always use a wire tugger. But I work for a union shop. And most companies have a no hot work policy for insurance reasons. It’s been years since I’ve worked in any energized equipment at work. Side work is another story though.

Stabbing buss boxes on live is a fun exercise! I used to set up weld lines for auto manufacturing, so lots of live equipment, no other choice, sometimes you cant power down. And why use a wire tugger, that's what the apprentices and noobs are for!

Tugger? Tie that rope to the bobcat and you're GTG.

Non-energized circuits? Not familiar with them, sounds luxurious.

Bobcat? The hell you say. I once pulled parking lot light feeds in with a Ford Escort.

———————————————
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Psalm 14:1

Posts: 4038 | Location: Northeast Georgia | Registered: November 18, 2017

Ignored post by PowerSurge posted

Show Post

Page 1 2