Finally my root pass is getting close

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I'm pretty new on here (apprentice union pipefitter/welder) and I'd got pretty discouraged by practicing my welding and not getting anywhere. I've been practicing 4hrs after classes every Thurs night and I finally got the tie-ins perfect after grinding some razor sharp boat ramps on each tack. It's like a light went on in my head. This is because my instructor stayed late and spent some one-on-one with me in the booth. The very definition of job security in our local is weld, weld, weld, and get as many certs as possible. If there's anyone out there wanting to get into pipefitting; you could do a lot worse than signing up at LU72 in Atlanta,Ga. I get paid to go to school, free books as long as my grade average is above 80, and I get out every bit as much as I put in. Work is slow now but we think that's temporary. Hope this helps people looking into learning the tradeLast edited by regularfella; 02-01-2009 at 11:18 AM.
Reply:good luck and keep up the good work!  I'm a fifth year pipefitter apprentice with local 422 in Joliet IL.  I got my first weld cert (ua 21) three months into my first year.  I put in crazy amounts of time and had some very dedicated teachers to help me get that first cert.  I now have three, the 21, 63 and a mig cert.Local 597 PipefittersCertified stick and tig pipe welderLincoln Ranger 305g - for saleMiller 185 migMiller Digital Elite
Reply:Thanks for the encouragement buddy, been slow down here;  >40 fitter apprentices on the bench so I'm getting my practice in. We have a brand new welding facility being completed in May that we're excited about. Many days, my root is flawless, then one day it looks like a blind man tried to weld?!?!?! Progress is slow but sure. My instructor goes above and beyond helping learn however.
Reply:We all have days like that.  We've got a lot more than 40 fitters on the bench.  This weather has got everything jammed up.  A couple of big jobs are supposed to start as soon as the weather starts to cooperate.Local 597 PipefittersCertified stick and tig pipe welderLincoln Ranger 305g - for saleMiller 185 migMiller Digital Elite
Reply:That was just apprentices, we've more than 400 journeyman fitters on the bench. Hopefully, Ga Power projects will change that soon.
Reply:Originally Posted by regularfellaThanks for the encouragement buddy, been slow down here;  >40 fitter apprentices on the bench so I'm getting my practice in. We have a brand new welding facility being completed in May that we're excited about. Many days, my root is flawless, then one day it looks like a blind man tried to weld?!?!?! Progress is slow but sure. My instructor goes above and beyond helping learn however.
Reply:Ok. There's a few thing's that surprise me here, the first one being a pipefitter needs a ticket? Over here and pome land they have a guy just to tack. Then the welder steps up and say's whether it's good enough or not, if not then do it again, if good the fitter steps away from the whole deal  it's good and the welder welds. Job done.Now good on you for getting the ticket but, that's a real step and it will see you good I'd rather be hunting........USE ENOUGH HEAT.......Drifting around Aussie welding more pipe up, for something different.....wanting to get home.
Reply:Originally Posted by wirehuntOk. There's a few thing's that surprise me here, the first one being a pipefitter needs a ticket? Over here and pome land they have a guy just to tack. Then the welder steps up and say's whether it's good enough or not, if not then do it again, if good the fitter steps away from the whole deal  it's good and the welder welds. Job done.Now good on you for getting the ticket but, that's a real step and it will see you good
Reply:Atleast you guys get certs. I just turned out in L.U. 200 They don't belive in certs. We get a paper receipt saying we past but no U.A. cert. I just started a  Tig class threw the L.U. but we wont get the U.A. cert.  Welding seems to be the key to a job right now...
Reply:I never bothered with any formal training.  The oldman got me started on the pipefitting and stoving, he showed me a bit about low hy's and I taught myself the TIG carbon and s/s.  The one welding school I went to was useless, but it did supply me with the tools, steel and rods to get going so it served a purpose.   What I did do was put in the hours at home under the bucket, that is the best training of the lot.These day's if I have a good TA that wants to learn the welding side then he starts fitting for me, then if he puts his OWN time under the bucket I'll show them as much as possible.  Nothing worse than some of the lads that say they want to learn but don't want to put the effort in on there own time.  They expect to be taught while their on the clock.  That doesn't cut it with me, once they've got the basic's down on their time I'm happy for them to learn on the job, hell some of the young fella's are better welders  after a couple of weeks than some of the clown's around that are meant to be tradesmen.Ooops, I'm off on another tangent   Sorry about that hahahaI'd rather be hunting........USE ENOUGH HEAT.......Drifting around Aussie welding more pipe up, for something different.....wanting to get home.
Reply:Originally Posted by Msch65Atleast you guys get certs. I just turned out in L.U. 200 They don't belive in certs. We get a paper receipt saying we past but no U.A. cert. I just started a  Tig class threw the L.U. but we wont get the U.A. cert.  Welding seems to be the key to a job right now...