plumbers & pipefitters local 761 accepted me...

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Theres only one problem. I think they do more work on the plumbing side of things instead of welding. Am i correct? Im not a plumber. I dont want to braze and solder pipe. I want to tig the root and arcweld the fill and cap. They said they were looking for welders but that was it. I have to go on dec. 10 to fill out paperwork to "finalize" my acceptance into the "brotherhood". I guess ill just have to take my list of questions with me.Ranger 305gMillermatic 140 AutosetDewalt Chopsaw2 grindersMy Fists
Reply:bp626indamix  -  Sign the papers before you tell them what you want to do  -  Opus
Reply:Congrats  and good luck !  Watch,listen, and learn.
Reply:Congrats bud. Whatever they do pay attention and trry to learn as much as you can.Shake and Bake
Reply:Well, i went to the union and about 50 other people showed up as well. Thats out of 200 that tested 3 weeks prior. So i was feeling pretty good. To be honest, i wasnt too optimistic about the opportunities that the union might have available to me. But i wasnt the only one! Several other guys had questions in regards to pipewelding and the different processes available to us.The only thing that i didnt like was the fact that it might take from one month to a year before i start actually working. And in the meantime, i have to take two days off from work, every month, to go to apprenticeship training. And when they do find me a job, i have to drop everything, including my job. Which, by the way, pays a couple bucks more than the union. And if i quit my job without giving at least a 2 weeks notice, my boss is going to be pissed! And ill be pissed if i only work for a couple of weeks for the union. Cuz then ill be unemployed!Ranger 305gMillermatic 140 AutosetDewalt Chopsaw2 grindersMy Fists
Reply:Been 3 months now, and so far, I'm liking it. Haven't gotten called for work yet though. But definitely taking advantage of their welding booths at the new training facility. Been practicing my 6" 6g. They also have tig welding on 2" pipe, 6g position. Just what I was hoping for. Gonna be a good year, I hope.Ranger 305gMillermatic 140 AutosetDewalt Chopsaw2 grindersMy Fists
Reply:

Originally Posted by bp626indamix

Been 3 months now, and so far, I'm liking it. Haven't gotten called for work yet though. But definitely taking advantage of their welding booths at the new training facility. Been practicing my 6" 6g. They also have tig welding on 2" pipe, 6g position. Just what I was hoping for. Gonna be a good year, I hope.
Reply:Trick I was told, more work for a "Fitter" than a "Welder". Most "Fitters" I know, weld with the best of them..Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120
Reply:[QUOTE=MadMax31;2549731]Trick I was told, more work for a "Fitter" than a "Welder". Most "Fitters" I know, weld with the best of them..[/QUOTE depends on the local and !market share! in my local fitter to welder ratio 3-1 a lot of industrial contractors will go heavy on welders,just to have them on hand during outages etc. also most locals when calling for help only want welders or welder fitter teams. as far as who can do who's job..... far as i'm concerned welders make better fitters ( welded joints) lets see a fitter pass a p91 chrome and inconell test!
Reply:I started as a welder/pipefitter. I love welding and I would drop my job as a plumber in a heartbeat, if I could find a good job around here. I'm a plumber about 10 months of the year. I only put the hood on at work if we are doing a large gas line, chilled water lines or SS in a chicken plant. Plumbing is not a bad gig. It's been good to me, It;s not as fun as welding. The work is more stable around here and pays alot better. I'm going to stay put until I can get my foot in the door with the local gas company, at which point I'll get my 20 inn and retire.Congrats on getting in.
Reply:Thanks belliott.Well, its been a month later and I'm still not working for the union. I think its time to take matters into my own hands and look for a union shop my self. Anybody know of a pipe fabrication shop in southern California?Ranger 305gMillermatic 140 AutosetDewalt Chopsaw2 grindersMy Fists
Reply:Another month has gone by, and still havent received a call for work.Ranger 305gMillermatic 140 AutosetDewalt Chopsaw2 grindersMy Fists
Reply:Are any of the other apprentices working?  How big is your hall, how many are on the bench?  Our halls here have many men on the bench, almost more then half.. Times are tough, but my concerns would be if you're not working now when you're at a lower rate, what is it going to be like when you're getting journeyman rate.  It's nice getting paid the big bucks, but if you're not working its pointless..
Reply:

Originally Posted by ShortbusWelder

Are any of the other apprentices working?  How big is your hall, how many are on the bench?  Our halls here have many men on the bench, almost more then half.. Times are tough, but my concerns would be if you're not working now when you're at a lower rate, what is it going to be like when you're getting journeyman rate.  It's nice getting paid the big bucks, but if you're not working its pointless..
Reply:Isn't the JM/App ratio normally set by contract?
Reply:

Originally Posted by Rock knocker

Isn't the JM/App ratio normally set by contract?
Reply:Other apprentices are working. I don't know how many aren't. Its a small local.Ranger 305gMillermatic 140 AutosetDewalt Chopsaw2 grindersMy Fists
Reply:Sorry to bring this post back from the dead, but I'm going to try and make the jump into this UA sometime this month if you could give me a little more details it would be appreciated thank you ([email protected])