Welcome to /r/pipefitter!

Are there any other ladies here that can tell me their experience as a Fitter and offer some advice? I got into a local after welding tig and mig in factories for a couple years. Looked for welding apprenticeship for a long time, don't really have trades connections, so I got in here as a fitter because they no longer offer only welding apprenticeships, just "dual apprenticeships" here, so basically after a couple years I can switch over or something like that. I'm enjoying fitting a lot actually, loving the physical aspect of it, the night classes, the people. However it is really really freaking hard on the body at times. There's no doubt men are stronger than women and as hard as I try to pull my own weight so I can keep things fair and not be a burden on the crew, sometimes it's just not physically possible. I know some men don't mind but I'm sire some do even if they don't say it. I've had a lot of minor Injuries to my joints and tendons just from strain and i just push through them during the week until i can ice and rest them on the weekends, but I know these things will come back to haunt me in the future. So basically I'm just wanting to know, am I in over my head in this trade? How do people make it to retirement doing this, especially as a women? Should I switch back over to welding when the time comes or would it be equally as difficult in union construction? And if so, what other options do I have at this point? I'm 100% going to finish an apprenticeship, but then what realistic option should I be aiming for. In my mind I'd just like to be a Fitter and leave it at that, maybe teach further down the road, but I just need to hear it from another woman who's done it that it's physically possible. That's the one thing I really wish we had in the trades, more women to talk to and mentor us. I've yet to meet any.

I'm a 1st year apprentice and this math has me so confused. I like my teacher but he doesn't explain in a way I understand. We're doing pipe lengths with 45⁰ angles and I'm lost. What are some good videos on YT or resources that may help?

Edit: to clarify, c-c I'm fine with but take offs are getting me.

Hey all, I've been in the trade for about 12 years. I'm in my mid thirties. I'm a foreman for a union commercial contractor. We're on the smaller side size wise. I do a lot of summer school jobs, government work, hospital stuff. It's a bit different at other companies but as the foreman I typically get one or two apprentices and I end up doing most of the work and also handling half the stuff the PM should be doing. I can't complain much, I make about $50/hr plus benefits, I drive a company truck and I don't pay for gas. I usually end up driving anywhere from 40-80 miles one way to the job site which makes for pretty long days sometimes.

Lately though I've just been feeling... tired. Like I just don't know how long I want to do this. My knees hurt, my back hurts, I have sleep apnea now. I'm on ADD pills and antidepressants. Most people think I'm the smart guy, computer genius (whatever that means to your average construction worker), and affable, but I'm still just a pipefitter. If I feel like this now, how will I feel when I'm 60? Will I have any energy left to enjoy retirement? It's not like I'm loaded anyways, my wife and I don't have any kids but we still both have to work full time to afford our house and car. It feels like an endless grind.

All that said, what are other options to move forward from just being a foreman for the rest of my career? Am I taking what I've been given for granted? Should I stop whining and count my blessings? I wouldn't mind a detailing job, but I'm not sure what kind of pay cut that would entail and what kind of additional qualifications I need for that. I'd love to work in town but a maintenance position for a school comes with too much of a pay cut. Anyways, thanks for reading brothers.

Title says it all.

I have two opportunities coming up. Both Union. UA 296 Pipefitting/Plumbing and UA 669 Sprinkler Fitter.

I am assuming the pay is similar but I imagine pipe fitters are paid more in the long run (I can’t find the pay scale for UA 669). If anyone who has done both or just willing to give advice, what did you end up in and why?

I am leaning pipefitter because welding is so fun to me but I’ve heard great things about a sprinkler fitter.

Any and all advice is appreciated.

I’m a British Pipefitter. Worked in UK and Australia. Probably try Canada soon then if I’m lucky get a green card.

So the union in UK and Australia is purely for work rights. They come in to help fight for your rights, wages, conditions etc.

I see posts on here about 123 union (example) and how closely it ties with being employed.

Please explain

37 year old thinkin about joining the union and have some question. Been welding pipe and mill wright work for 15 years. Most of my pipe welding has been socket weld but do have 6g weld cert. Would love to talk with some people about daily duties and best way to go about joining thanks

Scored a 69 for local 527 just curious if that’s considered passing, lady on the phone said a 50 was needed to pass but just wanting to cover my bases.

What’s the best way to to get into the pipefitting trader? I’m currently studying for my aws welding cert but whenever I call the pipefitting Union they say they arnt accepting applicants.

I apologize if this question has already been asked but I'm a 1st year apprentice and I live up north where I will be working in very cold temperatures from December - March. Right now I'm getting by wearing a flannel or hoodie but that's obviously not gonna work all winter. Come January the high for the day will most likely be 15 to 20 degrees in Minnesota. I've stocked up on beanies, winter work gloves, and have a face buff. Any suggestions for what to buy would be appreciated.

This is the diagram of my bathroom with pipe size. The watertap is suffering from severe low water pressure. I cannot change the 2/3 inch pipe because it's fitted inside bathroom tiles. If I change that 1 inch pipe to some 3 inch pipe, without changing the bathroom piles (2/3 inch), will the water pressure increase? I don't want to install pressure pump as well.

Hey all taking my star exam in December have made flash cards and practice test any one else have any ideas of how to study

Thank you D

What's up everyone. I applied and took the test for local 597 back in the summer for the building trades. I ended up scoring in the low 90's on the test. I have no experience but I do have a letter of recommendation, OSHA-10, and a degree. I did not get into the October class, but am wondering about my chances for the upcoming January class? Thanks for the help!

Term 2 pipefitter apprentice looking for extra help? Finding it very overwhelming on getting assignments completed , studying for tests and trying to learn the material.

I applied to HVAC and was tested on September 26th. I scored in the mid-80s. I'm green asf and didn't submit a letter of recommendation. What are my chances?

I just got laid off from my non-union company based in NY 3 weeks ago. They are no longer taking new business just finishing out ongoing maintenance/service contracts so i will not be re-employed with this company. Unemployment in NY sucks i'm only getting 504 a week and the pay still hasn't hit my account. I have a wife, a toddler and a baby on the way so i am really starting to panic about my income. Any suggestions on how to get HVAC side work as i look for another full time job? I tried signing up for Angis list and Thumbtack but It seems like i have to pay before i can even talk to potential leads about work they need done. Any other platforms you guys are using that have been positive to get some side work?

Been using a ridgid ar-99 for 42” safety say it’s only rated for 36”. What’s everyone using for 42” stands?

In about a week I’ll be doing this for a High psi Nitrogen line, but my company doesn’t really do that. Any tips on weld procedure?

>Be me

>30 yrs old maiden-less

>Don't drink or smoke

>Don't give a fuck about sports so can't talk about it

>Quiet, socially awkward as fuck, probably undiagnosed autistic

>Free time spent on videogames and anime

>Can work hard, but hate small-talk

>Perpetual resting bitch face

Was thinking about applying to the union with a focus on welding because I like the idea of pulling down the hood and getting to work with no pressure to socialize, and no need to give a fuck about the world and everyone else's bullshit. Are my personality and interests gonna make apprenticeship a living hell for me? Am I gonna be an outcast to the boys?

I’m thinking of getting into the trades and like the work of power engineers and the earning potential. I’ve read it’s in the $250k range with experience. But apparently power engineering is hard to find a job as a 4th or 3rd class. What’s pipefitting like? Can you earn $250k a year after experience and are there entry level jobs? Edit: Canadian context would help.

Local 440 question!!

Hello people, I am currently working towards getting into the 2025 2026 apprenticeship program for the local 440 in Indianapolis., any advice is much appreciate I have my aptitude test coming up this November and I was wondering if anyone has taken it yet or can give me any advice on how hard it is going to be. I am very nervous for it as this is a huge opportunity for me and I do not want to fuck this up for myself, any advice is much appreciated

Been on the job for roughly 4 and a half months and have had 2 weeks of school and still feel super lost a lot of the time, and it’s been stressing me out quite a bit. I know pipe fitting is a complex and technical trade, and I’m really trying hard to understand things, it’s just so much info being tossed at me at once and it’s hard to digest all of it. Thanks!

Wanting to get into the trades at 44yrs old.

Been an Office drone for too long. Can’t stand the worthless work being done my most tech workers.

Originally, I was dead set on Electrician. However, now that I understand a bit more of the scope of the union work it doesn’t seem to have the diversity of skills that may come with the UA apprenticeship programs.

My thought is, I would like to get into HVAC and pipe fitting, but realize I may have to only choose one, which is discouraging.

It would be nice to learn about Homestead and off grid living subjects as well as building structures.

Anything I am missing?

Lastly, I like the idea that after I journey out, being able to work 712 hour shifts at powerplants and then having some time off in between contracts to be able to do side work and learn the other trades as well.

Appreciate all your help

How much will I be paying a month at local 250 ?

Hey I'm only in my first week in trainingnand having a hard time remembering the formulas for offset travel and rolling offset is there some sort of cheat sheet or card with the formulas that I can keep in my wallet or something

I’m 18 yrs old straight out of welding school and I’m was looking to get into local 250 as my first “job” and place to prefect my craft in welding, I seen that I need to take a math test (no problem) but I talked to my school instructor he said if I at least had my stick cert i wouldn’t really have to take the test but idk if that’s true or not. I need a little more help in info about this union someone explain please?

hi yall I'm a recent high school graduate. I was recently denied from the navy and was thinking of joining my pipefiiting/plumber union over in Waco. I have an osha 10 and a d1.1 certification if that helps at all? but my main questions are how often do yall get to travel? can I jump locals if I move states is it possible to work out of country? also if yall can give any advice in advance it's would be super appreciated!!

Most of my work has been semiconductor if that helps.

I’ve been interviewing with the Local 32 in Seattle for the past two years and just had my fourth interview last week. The new ranking isn’t out yet, but I was #27 before (for the Steamfitters). This morning I got a call from the apprenticeship office for a long term helper position with a contractor who sat in on my interview and wants to hire me. I’ll be getting more details soon when I sign the paperwork, but what is it that you actually get to do as a helper? I’ve heard different things, one being that the only tool you can use is a drill and all you’re really doing is clean up. I’m totally willing to put my time in and do that, but how long should I expect to be one before finally getting in to the actual apprenticeship? Any advice on how to stand out and quickly advance as a helper? Thanks.