Skyscapers?

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I have kinda had this interest in working on high rise buildings or skyscrapers, but I have never seen or heard anything about this particular type of job accept on Modern Marvel one time.  If anyone on here could give me some info about it such as: Job prospects, experiences on the job, pay, types of welding involved and so on if you can be specific.  Thanks guys and girls.
Reply:Not me!!!!!!I'm afraid of heights.  Only way to get me up there is strapped to one of these: Attached ImagesMarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Here is the best way for you to go.http://www.ironworkers.org/
Reply:I've not worked on skyscrapers, specifically, and the info I can pass on is dated,(late'70's) but I have worked on many structures built from I-beam with the angle iron clips and bolted structure prior to welding. I was one of the welders after it was rattled together. I want to say most were 7 to 10 stories and a couple probably went 12 or 14. Most were untreated mild steel and two were galvanised mild steel. I puked in my hood lots of times when the wind changed with the galvanised. At 10am and 2pm every day we were required to eat a handful of calcium pills and drink a pint of white milk. Tried several times to get them to give us chocolate, to no avail. 6010 root, hot pass and fill, 7018 cap at every joint 360 degrees around every I-beam, weld all of the clips to the beam, too. At the time we were getting $12. to $14. per hr. I was working at the chemical plants in and around Houston. I saw two different men fall on different jobs, we weren't allowed out of the structure either time and required to continue working. Neither man lived. I'm sure many things have changed, I know for a fact the safety belts we were using are fall harnesses now. I'm sure the pay has gone up a few bucks. It's not a bad way to make a living, there are better ways, though. Being agile and unafraid of heights helps tremendously. Having lots of respect for heights will save your life. It ain't the fall that kills ya', it's the sudden stop at the end!Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.                                         -Cree Indian ProverbSA 200 LincolnVictor Torches
Reply:Hence the Martin Baker ejection seat with a parachute at your back!!!!MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Yea...I really don't know what i want to do.  I know that whatever it is I want it to give me enough knowledge to venture on my own one day.  I've read about pipe and everyone seems to enjoy it for the most part.  I really like seeing the end product of a job so that's my main satisfaction. And oh yea money too
Reply:I dont know if your state has good union wages, but good luck. If want to be an ironworker on scrapers, then go for it.
Reply:I'm going to school in August and it's a year long program.  Union would do me no good here because my wife and I will be moving fall 2010 to wherever she gets accepted to dental school.  I want and need whatever can kepp us living ok while she is in dental school because she won't be able to work for four years.  I'm only 22 and have about 3 1/2 years Fab experience, so i'm open to suggestion's on to what you or anyone would think would be the ideal path for me to take.
Reply:I meant to say 6 1/2 years pushed the wrong key
Reply:I'm not sure how the Ironworkers operate, but many trade unions wouldn't have a problem transferring you to a different local once you find out where you're moving to.
Reply:Ironworking is rarely a permanent job in one location.  You move around a lot from project to project.  An ironworker who also has welding tickets is highly prized.  This is an advantage for someone young like yourself and not settled completely.  The workplace rules are considerably different today.  Locally it is rare that ironworkers step out of a bucket on a man hoist.  When they do they are clipped in.  The cost of supporting the surviving family has finally convinced regulators and employers to enforce the use of proper safety equipment.
Reply:I think there is only one Ironworkers union in Arkansas.  I think it's in Little Rock I read about it one time but never put much thought in it.  I guess i'll give it look.  After about 5-10 years down the road I plan to branch on my own, owning a business is my ultimate goal.  What types of work does an Ironwoker/welder do when he/she decides to become a lone wolf (business owner)?
Reply:Originally Posted by millerman03I think there is only one Ironworkers union in Arkansas.  I think it's in Little Rock I read about it one time but never put much thought in it.  I guess i'll give it look.  After about 5-10 years down the road I plan to branch on my own, owning a business is my ultimate goal.  What types of work does an Ironwoker/welder do when he/she decides to become a lone wolf (business owner)?
Reply:It is the same as any other building. Maybe a few more floors or a larger footprint. The pay is less than pipe welders get, but more than shop welders. 90% of the welding will be FCAW NR 232. The other 10% is SMAW for decking or where FCAW can not be used. Most welding will be on wide flange connections ( column to beam ) usually full pen on flange and fillet on web. Connections will be TC-U4a-GF, T or corner connections with backing. If in a seismic area the btm backing will be gouged off and need a fillet. Run off tabs will need to be radiused. Typically it will be the same design every floor, just getting a little thinner as you go up. Almost all welding will be flat and vert up. It is an experience. Odd going to work in the rain and having it be snowing when you get to the floor your working on. I've done some 500'+ building and this seemed typical."Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful." -- Seneca the Younger
Reply:Very in depth I apreciate it a lot.  So would you recommend structural to an new guy or would something else be worth my while?
Reply:You can get the same or better education from the ironworker's union then you would at a school. Although I do dislike unions, this is one of there only advantages. Having the ability to get an education while earning money, and not having a school loan to repay."Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful." -- Seneca the Younger
Reply:The only union around here is 3 hours away from me.  But in August there starting a welding school in Jonesboro Arkansas which is 20 minutes from me so it's easier for me at this point.  I'm also wanting to learn all the processes TIG, MIG, ARC and so on and they are goin to be teaching all of it.  My wife also told me either welding school or back to tradtional college whic is what i've done for the past 3 years but I want to work with my hands and I love to weld.
Reply:Almost always bolts are the way it is put together(with beating, prying , yelling and swearing), some welded moments, splices and the like as well as the decking and the pour stop. Don't be afraid of heights and have a thick skin, oh yeah rods suck.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:I also have some interest in pipe but i've heard it's hard to get on as a pipe welder.  Is there any truth to this?  and tell me a little about the prospects in the pipe field.