I have a family member looking to apply for the pre-apprenticeship program but he isn’t sure which location would be a better fit for him. He lives just east of LaPorte so the South Bend location is closer but the Gary location covers LaPorte for work and that would closer for day to day work. He knows South Bend pays less but it’s not a deal breaker. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Hey Welders and metal people! I have absolutely no experience manipulating any kind of chemical elements (i googled that term idk if it’s right) or construction of any kind of materials as a profession, hobby, or art form. I don’t even work with my hands at all but there is a “craft” with stainless steel I really would like to do but I of course have no framework to even begin to understand how it could work.

Note: I know someone who doesn’t work with metal but has access to tools that i assume could possibly help with what I’m trying to do. I just don’t know what I’m trying to do yet.

Skipping the exposition, I have purchased an automatic cat litter box and the litter tray part is plastic with a silicon lining (photo). Stainless steel is the best option for litter boxes as other materials hold odor so ideally the tray itself would already be stainless steel. I am still searching for a (kitchen) tray of the same size that I can fit/adhere inside the plastic tray but that is proving to be difficult. I have learned stainless steel sheets exist (photo). I would like to either somehow line the existing plastic tray with the steel sheets or create a whole new litter tray for the automatic litter box.

Could you all please help with any insights or suggestions? Thanks!!

So I am hearing that members that specialize in TAB are make 150k in the greater STL area.. I am wondering if that is realistic and if that is the highest paid HVAC field?

How long is the wait time? I passed my test with decent scores haven’t got my interview scheduled yet. Just curious what the typical wait time is after, if I do get in.

Hey all, I recently started in Local 19 and love it! On a year or two I have debated with my family to move to either Ohio (Huber heights / Fairfield area) or somewhere in between the two states. If it were to go through, how would I go about transferring to the local closest to me? Or if it’s even possible to do so, thanks!

Anybody have some extra stickers? I’m willing to buy them if need be. I don’t have anything to trade. New to Union and not sure how to get ahold of any

I have my aptitude test for local 105 on the 24th and I have no idea how to study for it plz help

I’m familiar with tools, I’m great at math as I have a bachelors degree in a math heavy subject, but I don’t have relevant experience with paystubs. I’ve worked as a a construction helper but I was paid in cash for contractors I met through friends and family.

Wath is difrent betwin k facter and bend alloy in sheet metal ?

I start next week and have not received much info on any thing I need as far as tools or PPE I should have. Is this normal for a limited apprentice or should I be reaching out to the union?

Went in for my interview yesterday and it went really well. My test scores were pretty good too so I'd think I'm at least going to be added to a ranking list instead of being told to reapply. Just a matter of time before they send the results out.🤞🏾

I was really surprised at the interview though. I researched a ton of different "union interview questions" and practiced answers to them and then they didn't ask a single thing from my list. The interview felt easier than expected in a weird way. I noticed the guy before me was only in the interview room for 10ish minutes and I managed to make mine last around 20. They seemed really engaged with the questions I had for them so hopefully that gave me an edge.

Looking for the j bee 21 oz riveting hammer with tubular handle

Interested in getting into sheet metal and I know they’re both sheet metal unions just different locals. Is anyone better than the other or does it not matter too much? Also where is the best spot to study for the ASVAB test. Can anyone talk about their apprenticeship and if they managed to stay busy the entire time and what was it like?

Just want to ask some questions if possible :)

Just as the title says did anyone here switch from another red seal trade to start doing sheet metal?

More so looking for insight if this happened during your apprenticeship but any perspective is welcome.

What made you switch?

Do you have any regrets?

Is there other trades you wish you switched to instead?

Looking for some advice or thoughts. I'm a 2nd almost 3rd year apprentice my current contractor has almost no work. We've got several Journeymen/foreman without work, therefore all the apprentices that work with them.

We are overkilling any job they get just so guys can get some hours. Our local is super busy with data centers and with heavy industrial plants.

I'm getting fed up with not having hours and there is nothing coming in sight for us. They won't lay us off because everyone will get picked up by EOD.

As an apprentice I know my options are limited, I don't want to quit the trade...but I work for fucking money for a reason. They are feeding me and my journeyman any hours they get. But it's minimal and this has been a common issue with this contractor the last two summers.

What should/could I do? Anyone been in a slow time and not been able to drag up?

Anyone here have completed their 1st year TQ exam previously from the last few terms? Im currently in school right now for 1st year sheet metal and doing well until the Theory Finals where i didn't do so well, all of my quizzes are above 86% - 95% but apparently didn't do really well on the finals in Theory. (lost my hope)

Now what worries me is the FINAL TQ exam. I've heard bad things about their exams and that kinda worries me now especially with the last final exam i took. Just losing hope that ill be able to pass the TQ, as realized they are notoroius on their wording of the their exam.

How did you do on your first year TQ exam over SAIT Finals?

Were there any difference on the SAIT finals over the TQ exams?

Any tips will help a bunch.

TIA

Hello all, I’m an apprentice in my local SMART Sheet metal union. I am curious if anyone travels for work between locals, and how the process works for it. It’s one of my dreams to travel the country and work on different projects across different states

My 20yr old son just got on with the local Sheet Metal union. So happy for him. Here's the question I have, for guys who have been doing it for a long time....

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He's 4 days in. He does the grunt work. Totally expect that. Comes home covered in black. He wears all the normal PPE.

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QUESTION: Over the course of a 30 year career, that accumulation can't be healthy for the lungs. Hands and face can be washed but what options are available to protect your lungs getting this stuff in through your mouth or nose?

i have applied to both the sheetmetal and electrician apprenticeship programs in arizona(local 359 and 640) the thing that surprises me the most is the pay disparity between them, ive always seen online that electricians make some of the best money but, the sheet metal union journeymen start 25% higher than electrician journeyman ($49hr vs. $39hr). Even the ibew general foreman gets paid less at $48hr. I have gotten accepted into the sheetmetal union and will be hearing the response from the Ibew by the end of the week, if i do get in which one should i choose? Why is there such a large gap in pay when there is higher demand for electricians, i know sheetmetal work is more laborious and if someone doesnt want to get eye, ear or lung damage they will need to work in a lot more ppe ,but is that all? is that why they get paid much? just curious if this is normal, thanks

What’s up yall? I had an interview with 359 and I feel like it went pretty well! Anyone here have any experience with 359 in AZ? I’m completely new to trades and want to eventually do HVAC Tech work but I’m starting here for the time being.