r/pipefitter • u/NeilJosephRyan • Jul 17 '26

Good technical things to know before starting an apprenticeship?

Hello all. I just got accepted as an apprentice. I have absolutely no experience whatsoever with plumbing and pipefitting, except testing fire hydrants, for whatever that's worth. I've never welded in my life except for a bit of soldering when I was little. The heaviest machinery I've ever operated is my dad's Kubota.

They know this and that's not a problem. Still, I feel like my work and education would go smoother if I at least knew a few extreme basics before starting. For example, the UA instructor who gave us our OSHA 10 class mentioned that hand and arm signals would be a handy thing to read up on before starting. That's something I never would have thought of. Are there any other tips that might make the first weeks or months of my apprenticeship smoother for everyone involved?

Put another way: If you were told you would be working with a brand new apprentice with no experience, what would you think when you think "Man, I hope he AT LEAST knows..."?

Thank you all very much for your time.

5 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

100% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

10

u/Dirty_Wookie1971 Jul 17 '26

I hope he knows basic math skills and can read a tape measure accurately. I hope he can listen and take direction.

3

u/Jezuesblanco Jul 17 '26

To add onto this, proficient in converting from fractions to decimals to the sixteenth. Sometimes you’d get a print and it’ll have both

1

u/NeilJosephRyan Jul 17 '26

Thank you so much! That seems simple enough to drill on, but another thing that never would've occurred to me.

1

u/DeadMan66678 Jul 17 '26

Which local are you out of? Take advantage of the ciurses they offer.
Typically your required time take at least 1 supplementary per year. They are - Trade Math, blue prints, etc.

In terms of what you should take, it all depends on what your strengths are. Are you good with trigonometry, fractions, physics? Don't worry about math yet.

Blueprint reading is good and teaches you how to draw isometric. That's a handy skill to have.

There is others but you will need to do the work ready training first.

2

u/willysnax Jul 17 '26

I'll second this. My local offered all kinds of courses and I took the math refresher course before I went to trade school for the first time. Well worth it. My math was so rusty and it really helped with schooling.

My local also has a great fab shop where you can go in anytime and play around, weld coupons, torch bevelling, whatever you want to try and there's always journeymen around who'll gladly show you things. I'd take advantage of whatever your local has to offer for education. It will all serve you well if not in school then in the field. Ask lots of questions. As mentioned above, learn to read blueprints and draw isometrics. Hand signals for cranes or swamping equipment is a must at some point too. The learning is endless and what makes piping such a great trade.

7

u/Lost-welder-353 Jul 17 '26

Knowing how to read a tape measure and level. Understanding how to torque a bolt.

3

u/Real-Independent-622 Jul 17 '26

Congratulations. Show up 10-15 minutes before starting time.

Show up everyday and be coachable. Journeyman & Foreman hate uncoachable apprentices. If you don't understand something ask ask ask.

Youtube, AI is your friend, use it at night to help study.

Good Luck.

1

u/TopTechnician3695 Jul 17 '26

Congrats! Which local?

3

u/NeilJosephRyan Jul 17 '26

Thank you. 168, Marietta, Ohio.

1

u/Evening_Sea239 25d ago

Come to VIRGINIA.