Took a pipe fitter jebbb...need some help

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This company I work for has a 12-16 week job. A real small project. I took it because well for one I need the money to support my family, and two I am a rig welder and they said who ever is on this job gets to go to a 2 year job in Colorado as a welder. So I jumped all over this. The only problem is they want me to play pipefitter. Problem. I have never actually been a full on pipefitter  . I have been a welders helper to fitters helper. I know  how to do my takeoffs on 90s and 45s. I know how to square pipe, bevel it perfectly. I can read and understand Isometrics decently. I understand all the basics of pipe fitting. Some of my weak points are verifying field measurements and taking field measurements. I have never done that before. When I am welding they provide me with fitters and I just weld. Now I am in the other persons shoes for once. Any help or tips or guidance will be appreciated. I will be fitting for 2 welders. the only two welders on the jobsite besides myself.Thank you.
Reply:When taking field measurements, make sure you have no obstructions in your way of the pipe/s. if you do, figure a way around the obstructions.  I'm sure the fied measurements aren't going to match the prints, they seldom do, so you will either be longer,shorter,or have to reroute some what. Just lay out the fittings next to where they have to be installed, take measurement, look over prints,a.d adjust.. Don't pschy yourself out for no reason.  Measure twice weld once. If you're un sure of a couple fit ups ask the foreman, or tack the joints together and see what needs to be corrected.
Reply:I mean the superintendent knows me. Also he knows I am a rookie when it comes to pipefitting. But a damn good welder.I just want to be prepared not go in the eyes closed ya know?
Reply:Originally Posted by Bostick101I mean the superintendent knows me. Also he knows I am a rookie when it comes to pipefitting. But a damn good welder.I just want to be prepared not go in the eyes closed ya know?
Reply:Have you worked with the other 2 welders before?  How tight of schedule are you on with this project?  I think as long as they're not trying to make you race to get up to speed you'll do fine.  Myself, I don't really have any fitting experience other than pipeline tie-ins.  But my step-dad worked for many years and retired as a fitter doing plant work.  We've talked about it a lot, some of what he did fascinates me... And from our conversations on it, I get that the biggest problems he ran into was the plans and blueprints being off.  Lots of situations where a pipe would run into another pipe if you did it exactly according to the plans.  He worked with everything from carbon steel to stainless to the exotics (inconel, monel...) over the years.  Welded, threaded and screwed, you name it.  He said the main mistakes he saw fitters make over the years was in measurements.  Especially in screwed pipe.  You have to know what amount of length you'll lose for makeup on each joint.  But he says it's truly amazing how many people get into the trade and just absolutely cannot read a tape measure, or figure measurements correctly.  Measure at least twice and cut once.  Lots better than "I've cut this 3 times and it's still too short..."Good luck-------------------------Chemetron AC/DC 300 HFSnap-On MM300L Lincoln SP140 Lincoln AC/DC 225g Lincoln SA200 Lincoln SA200 Miller Bobcat 225GVictor torchesH&M and Mathey beveling machinesMcElroy Plastic pipe fusion
Reply:For 2 welders you must have at least another fitter otherwise they will drink lots of coffee Buy something like this http://www.flangewizard.com/products129.html if you don't allready have , it's going to save lots of time and frustration.--------------------------------------------------------------www.becmotors.nlyup, I quit welding.. joined welder anonymous
Reply:I got all them fancy tools like I said im a rig welder. just my true fitting skills arnt up to par.
Reply:Bostick Im sure you got the skills to go with the tools but I was wondering: Is the Colorado job in Grand Junction? I just helped my bro drag his camper down their to dig trenches for the pipeline. Hes making $50+/hr operating heavy equipment and said the weldors with rigs make $100+.
Reply:You know I think it is there I have heard that name thrown around but I cannot be sure.
Reply:I'm an engineer, BUT, I started out my working career as a pipe welder and pipefitter before I ever thought about college.  Got graduated and all, but low and behold, I discovered one thing.  Almost without exception, every run of pipe has some sort of fitting on each end.  If ya know where the fittings need to be, the rest figures itself out.  Now the funny thing is, a lot of my engineer buddies never figured that out.  Keep everything simple and you'll do just fine, I guarantee it.
Reply:I heard that you got to know someone to get a job there. Sounds like your in.
Reply:A framing square, plumb bob or laser, chalkline  and a good tape will be your best friend. I've work with a few excellent fitter and never used anything more than that. Well mybe a wrap around, two hole pins and a variety of accurate levels. All pipe fitting is, is a puzzle a very intricate hard to fix if done wrong puzzle. If you get decent plans everything else is just layout and math, take offs, make up, weld gap, weld shrinkage can play a factor as well. Might want to look into getting the pipefitter a blue book if you don't have it already.
Reply:What is the difference between the "blue" book and the "black" book?  Is one supposed to be better than the other?  I've got the black one, but have never looked at one of the blue ones.-------------------------Chemetron AC/DC 300 HFSnap-On MM300L Lincoln SP140 Lincoln AC/DC 225g Lincoln SA200 Lincoln SA200 Miller Bobcat 225GVictor torchesH&M and Mathey beveling machinesMcElroy Plastic pipe fusion
Reply:The black book that I have is called "Pipe Trades Pocket Manual" by Thomas W. Frankland and was the book that all the fitters I worked with carried. It has all the info on fittings threded & welded and how to make miter joints from straight pipe and many other things.TOO MANY TOOLS & NO MORE SPACE