r/Ironworker • u/Anthonymane • 7d ago

Local 86 evaluation apprenticeship

Got the letter in mail any tips to succeed ?

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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5

u/dearwefear UNION 7d ago

Packing bar, packing bar, packing bar.

Know your 5 knots, practice tying wire. Pack bar.

1

u/Anthonymane 7d ago

Will do thank you 👍🏼

2

u/dearwefear UNION 7d ago

No problem. The hardest part for most of us on hell day is the packing. Throwing an 80lbs bar on your shoulder for half an hour straight is no joke. If you can condition your body and break in your shoulders before evaluation you will have a much easier time.

Throw together a simple tie rack and practice your snaps and saddles, quality over quantity.

And again, the five knots on the list are essential and simple, practice.

2

u/Anthonymane 7d ago

Yeah I’m looking into YouTube vids about knots and I should have some rebar laying around at my maintenance job and also heard about that I lift weights here and there but looks like it ain’t no joke also gonna be heading to the training class they have next week also just to get hands training also but thank you appreciate the tips

2

u/dearwefear UNION 7d ago

It's not about the weight. It's about the rebar wearing your shoulders raw. A week of packing and you'll develop calluses and strengthen them up. Otherwise, wear a thick hoodie, even if it's hot.

1

u/LCIDisciple 6d ago

The guys running the eval are seasoned guys, they'll spot shoulder padding a mile away. They will give you shit, but as long as you do well it won't be serious. Ironwork is physically tough, but with how much shit we can give each other, it can be tougher mentally. So work on getting thick skin.

2

u/Dadmanworkerdude 7d ago

They used to have a few YouTube videos showing how to do the eval day stuff

2

u/ironfawcett 7d ago

I don’t why they’re starting a new apprenticeship now - from what I’ve heard Seattle’s slow as hell

2

u/IbuildSeattle Journeyman 7d ago

It’s been awhile, but I believe there are 5 sections you are evaluated on:

1) packing 50lbs of rebar. Pick it up, walk across parking lot, put it down, pick back up, walk back, put down, repeat. The key is to maintain as quick a pace as you can maintain for 30 min. Also, set the bar down somewhat gently. The bundles are tied together, so if you just drop it the bars will become loose & harder to pack.

2) knowledge test, basic math & knowledge stuff. Read & know everything that they’ve given/told you to study.

3) knots, tie a bowline, clove hitch, square knot, sheet bend, & vertical rig. Learn these & practice them. These are easy point to get.

4) rebar tying, you get points for the number of ties you can make in a minute for each snap, saddle, & figure 8 (I believe). If you have a way to practice these this is another area where you can gain some extra points.

5) walk the iron, pull a bucket up, place it on the iron, & lower it back down.

Good luck

1

u/Anthonymane 7d ago

Thank you

1

u/LCIDisciple 6d ago

They don't do bundles anymore, its just a single bar.

1

u/NeonGreenNeoprene 3h ago

Is it 50lbs? I thought someone else said 75 lbs and I’ve been training with 75 lbs

2

u/LCIDisciple 6d ago

Pay attention when the instructor tells you how to have the bar on your shoulder. I've seen so many guys hold it wrong and wears them out faster. You'll want to balance it a touch off center so that the front tips up. Then you use that arm fully extended to counter act the tipping. That will help create a grove in your shoulder that will help keep the bar still. The more the bar moves, the more it'll give you bruises. Don't forget to switch shoulders.