Breaking into the pipe welding trade

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I know this subject has been beaten like a dead horse but I want to hear from you guys. I've been welding for about nine years at various jobs. Mostly MIG and TIG but not really anything critical. Mostly thin sheet metal and tubing.I have some schooling from a tech school and was about to start the pipe welding program. I finished their TIG course and got my 3G unlimited cert in SMAW. I had to take a break to save some money for it but I think I just want to get in and get a job and learn on the job. I've applied at a couple shops and I'm willing to start at the bottom and learn the trade. The problem is I can't really afford to work for ten dollars and hour. Is it possible that with a some of my background that I might get a shot and if so how do I get one? I also thought about applying at my local union but then I'd have to wait which I'm not opposed to. Any advice would be great thanks.
Reply:Generally you just about have to be born in the pipe fitter's union. I know two brothers that took over 4-years to get in. Their dad was a life long member, and their uncle was the BA! Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I don't know what area of the country your from, but here in nc, with a recomendation from a member, I was accepted into my local within probably 2 weeks.  No experiance what so ever.  Of course the trade off was my local only holds about 1% of pipe trades work in north and south carolina combined.  I stay pretty busy but many don't.  Class room training isn't all that, but I've worked with some guys who were just awesome.  Lots of learning to b had if you'll take the initiative.  I would highly recommend apply at your local ua  hall and putting up with the wait, especially if the local is one of the more reputable ones.
Reply:I live in Utah and the local is UA 140
Reply:I am from Nebraska. Local 464, UA SteamFitters. A first year apprentice starts at 16.25 with full benefits. But the hall only let's you apply for the apprenticeship program  for two weeks every year. You have to pass a math test. Then an interview. And it takes months from the first day to start. I believe last year at least a few thousand applied and we took in 12 new apprentices. One thing to consider is how strong the local is also. In omaha we have a very high market share and almost all commercial and industrial work is union. No real traveling and never a lot of guys on the bench. If any at times. I honestly believe that I gained the most knowledge by joining my union. I was taught many different systems, and gained a lot of experience from my apprenticeship. Also, rambling now,    I have a good friend that that is a combo welder who does GTAW and smaw for a non union mechanical contracter. He has been with them for 6 years and is paid around $22 with expensive health insurance and no retirement. Well our 3rd year apprentices make that much with full benefits, after only 2 years of experience.Local 83
Reply:I hear radio ads 10 times a day saying that UA 140 is looking for hands.  Probably have a better chance at making good pay going that route here in Utah. It makes me nauseous to see what most shops are paying hands with experience let alone those with little experience
Reply:That's where I first heard about them empirewelding. I agree about the pay thing I know I don't deserve top pay but I'm no slouch and I have some skills. The union said that after I was accepted they would place me in a shop.
Reply:Hey "this guy", be encouraged.  Looks to me like you have a good foundation for what it takes to be a good shop pipe welder.  You have tig, mig and stick experience all of which are used for root passes and fill and cap at some time or another in pipe welding.  With your 9 years experience you know what the puddle in each process does and how the heat affects various thickness and different types of material in various positions; all you have to do is expose yourself to pipe.Hit the scrap yard, buy some pipe (bigger the better/easier), clean it, bevel it, set the proper gap and weld it out.  It would be ideal if you had a buddy to guide you and look over your shoulder and your learning curve (no pun intended even though we are talking pipe) could be vastly shortened.  If I were you that is what I would be doing considering you are having to gather some shekels for the next pipe class.  Choose the process you are the most comfortable with and do it.  Most of the pipe shops I worked in, if you could pass a 6G 6010 root (sometimes up some times down), fill and cap with 7018 test, you were in the door.  Milk this forum for all it's worth, lol, post lots of pictures and ask lots of questions.  These guys are sharp and professionals.  I might a used to be! Others will possibly correct me, but I think it is well within reason that with your experience (if you studied the welding while you were welding the last 9 years-or were you just welding?) if you put in a good 40 hours worth of pipe welding practice (not counting the time it takes to prep the pipe and set up) you ought to be able to pass a shop pipe test and get your foot in the door.  This won't make you a pipe welder, but you will be on your way.  Then you can carry on with your welding classes at night on one or two other pipe welding processes.The more you know the more the union will be interested in you.Hope something I said helps and encourages you.Some kind of Big Blue constant current welding machineAnother smaller yet, Blue machine (it's got wire in it)
Reply:Empire welding, the sickening feeling goes all the way to Tennessee with the pay scale for some places (most places) out here.Some kind of Big Blue constant current welding machineAnother smaller yet, Blue machine (it's got wire in it)
Reply:I work with a fella right now who has traveled a fair amount to utah over the years.  Talks like there's a fair amount of high purity work out there. If I was you id practice tig all the way out on tube and pipe.  Get your foot in the door with local 140, and go for your orbital certs.  Its cake work as far as your back goes, and there's opportunity all over the country for that field.  Its actually a big chunk of our work here too.
Reply:Thanks ct1811 that's reassuring to know that there is that kind of work out here. I picked up my application today hopefully I can get it turned in soon. In the meantime I think I'll keep trying to get into a shop somehow.
Reply:Local 290 out of Portland, OR is taking applications this Spring.  Lots of work at Intel...YEARS of work in fact.  Many guys are looking to retire working there.   Good luck to you!! What part of the country are you in?“I'm going to do the thing that God put Galen Beasley on this Earth to do:Have Salon quality hair and weld.Nothing like a good cup of coffee and the smell of 6010 burning in the morning. 971-204-3444 cell API ASME Structural NDT and Repair
Reply:Update I turned in my application to the local UA and I'm waiting to hear about my interview. I was told that it would be in March maybe. I've turned in a couple applications to some shops that I saw were hiring. One place interviewed me and gave me a weld test same day. I was really nervous cause I didn't have much experience ( it was for sanitary SS tube 6G) but took it anyways. Didn't pass cause of lack of penetration. Owner was super cool and gave me some tips told me what I did right and what to work on and said come back he's always looking for welders. Stay tuned for pictures of my welds I know with your input all be moving on to greener pastures.
Reply:Another update in case anyone wanted to know. I got a job with a construction company in their fab shop. They build a lot of water tanks, water treatment plants, mainly piping involved with water. They also build anything else associated with those places like handrails, gates, things like that. Learned a ton of new things they even let me fit some pipe. Good company with good benefits I've really enjoyed it. I got my letter from the union today for the orientation meeting I think I'll go just to see what its all about. I know you guys don't know me personally but I would love to hear your opinions. Maybe put yourself in my shoes 29 years old, married, have a kid on the way. Thanks again I'm always learning a ton from the people on here.
Reply:I lived in clearfield for a spell.  Worked out of 140. Has an ok scale.  I rigged up and worked in Wyoming in the oil patch. I did much better.Sent from my SGH-M919 using TapatalkLong after the price is forgotten, the quality will remain.Both of my Poppy's 1954 Short Hoods -Third generation to weld with it and teaching a fourthSA 2## - Bought and sold more than I can remember or care to list, 8 in the shop right now