Pipefitting vs Welding?

admin

Hello everyone from Alberta, CanadaNew here and joined up because I can't really figure out which one of these trades I want to get myself into. I've heard great things about both but am leaning just a little towards pipefitting at the moment. I've been told though that one has to be pretty good at math to be successful but math really isn't one of my strong suits to be honest. Welding on the other hand looks interesting as well but I hear that it can take quite a bit of toll on your health as time goes by.Any advice or info will be appreciated. Thanks.
Reply:When the time comes that you need trifocals, you can still fit pipe, or when the cataracts show up.Fitting, whether pipe, structural, skids, etc., seem to prepare one better for running a crew, when the urge strikes.Hobart Beta-Mig 2511972 Miller AEAD-200LEMiller 250 TwinNorthern Ind. Hybrid 200Longevity Stick 140Longevity Migweld 200SThermal Arc Pak 3XR
Reply:Originally Posted by geezerbillWhen the time comes that you need trifocals, you can still fit pipe, or when the cataracts show up.Fitting, whether pipe, structural, skids, etc., seem to prepare one better for running a crew, when the urge strikes.
Reply:Don't sell yourself short about your math skills. They may be better than you think. I grew up thinking I was terrible at math, or at least always told myself that. Then I went to college and discovered that if I really apply myself, I'm actually pretty good at it. Take a college math course, work your butt off, and see how you do. I'd be willing to bet that you're at least good enough to learn the math required to be a pipefitter. Don't let your perceived math inadequacies discourage you from a dream. Unless it's to be a mathematician. You have to be reaaallllyyy good to do that.
Reply:Everybody is bad at math...Until they get short changed on their paycheck.
Reply:Originally Posted by Sm412Don't sell yourself short about your math skills. They may be better than you think. I grew up thinking I was terrible at math, or at least always told myself that. Then I went to college and discovered that if I really apply myself, I'm actually pretty good at it. Take a college math course, work your butt off, and see how you do. I'd be willing to bet that you're at least good enough to learn the math required to be a pipefitter. Don't let your perceived math inadequacies discourage you from a dream. Unless it's to be a mathematician. You have to be reaaallllyyy good to do that.
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveEverybody is bad at math...Until they get short changed on their paycheck.
Reply:Why limit yourself? Why not take both options if you're able to? Pipefitting and welding goes hand in hand on a jobsite. Being able to do both makes you more valuable. Then again there are welders that are terrible fitters and vice versa. Dont sell yourself short.
Reply:The math for fitting is involved but it is not high difficulty calculus.   There can be many steps but they are each fairly basic.  Just like a flight of stairs.  Whole flight in one leap is a no go.  One step at a time is no problem.Multimatic 200Ellis 1800Haberle S225 9" cold sawMM 300;  Spoolmate 30A w/ WC-24TB 302GDynasty 280 DX Tigrunner
Reply:Your in Alberta, things are done a little different there. To weld in Alberta you need journeyman red seal status, plus your B pressure to weld pipe of CWB for structural. Welding is a 3 yr apprenticeship. Your red seal pipe fitting ticket is another 4 yr apprenticeship.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:i did my fab/fitting ticket first you would be surprised how much that adds to your resume in alberta and bc then i did my welding theres alot of welders out there. I can pretty much pick and choose places to work having both tickets inshop or field. And besides you can't weld nothing unless its been fit up firstHigh Octane Welding
Reply:Most of the pipefitter courses I've seen in Canada have welding part of the curriculum. It's take a couple of years to get your B pressure ticket though. My father is a pipefitter and talked to his union and told me that they don't take apprentice welders unless you have your B pressure ticket in so if that's the field you want to work in I would suggest start with pipefitting then take welding if you would prefer to do that.Lincoln 210 MPVictor Cutmaster 42
Reply:Thanks for the replies. Looking for some pipefitting apprenticeships right now and it has been proven to be very difficult so far with the low price of oil and cold economy. I think I'll have to wait for some time. It sucks.
Reply:Join the UA out there, become a fitter.    Good money, and there will be other other work even if the big welding jobs slow down!
Reply:Originally Posted by AdvanJoin the UA out there, become a fitter.    Good money, and there will be other other work even if the big welding jobs slow down!