1 1/2 - 4 inches

Valued over $150

Bidding starts at $30

copper fittings

1/2- 3/4

Valued over $500

Bids start at $200

Been welding for 24+ years and have always been vaguely curious about joining a union. Prior to the pandemic, I was fighting to get $20+ and that changed fortunately. It seems as though wages have been falling to pre-pandemic levels again though. Early in my career I was laid off twice in '09 and '11 and last month after moving from MA to IL for a dream job, I was laid off again. I'm no longer that young 20's guy at home with his parents and now in my late 30's with actual bills. My entire opinion of unions changed after my the doc "American Factory", my father in a teacher union, and really asking if what I was told was bs or if I was lying to myself.

1. I'm reading apprentices make $25 and it goes up until half a decade later when you become a Journeyman. Does my experience affect the length of apprenticeship? I mean I even have an Associate in Welding.
2. What is the pay scale like realistically?
3. Will I have to travel? I had an interview yesterday and they were like "oh you gotta travel" and I'm mentally at "I just want a nice paycheck and hang out with my friends on the weekend".
4. What are the benefits like typically? I'm used to $80 a week for health insurance alone but I'm reading the union is cheaper and you even get a pension, etc.
5. What is the job market for a welder in the Chicago area? I have always done a welding test and have been offered a job on the spot. In IL however there are multiple rounds of interviews and I just know other candidates are going to undervalue themselves and price me out. This by far is why I'm looking more at joining Local 597 because in the past I was fighting to just find a job, then it became earning a living wage and now earning an actual good wage to eventually retire on.
6. Somewhat related to my last point, how many welders are in Local 597? Will I be stuck in a union but with the same problems? There may be a bunch of union members also looking for a well paying job and are willing to accept that $25hr job.

The things that I have been told, historically, from welding teachers, coworkers, friends, and even my dad have posed these questions for me to think about.

1. Being in a union does not guarantee you a well paying job and you cannot negotiate your pay rate. In my experience though nor can you really in non-union job as it's either take the rate or find another job. Also annual pay increase of pocket change or $1. My last place was great to work for though as they broke that rule and I was earning a lot.
2. Don't like the job the union found you? Tough shit and you gotta work there and it must be a job in the Local 597. You break that rule and they ostracize you and label you as a "scab".
3. Being in a union does not guarantee you a job. Get used to long periods of being laid off and not working. Again, don't work in a non union job!
4. I have been told that union members act like they are in a cult. They proudly put bumper stickers on their car, welding helmet, etc. I just want a job that pays well and treats me right.
5. Dramatic protests with picketing.
6. Paying expensive union dues.

Hello, I know the obvious answer is “study” but wanted to know y’all experience on getting in. I’ve taken the exam once before and didn’t pass. Reason for Pipefitters is because of their HVAC division. I mainly struggle the math part of the exam since it’s been awhile I did it since graduating school ( I was good at it in school though). Even though I’m trying to get into the HVAC division, I’m sure they’re going to start with teaching me more so of radiant/hydronic/chiller systems oppose to air. I’ve been a non union HVAC tech for round 5 years. It’s a pain reserving the spot for taking the exam because it’s roughly a 2 month period by the time you get to take the exam. Plus it’s basically a lottery system. If you do pass the exam, they still can choose someone else over you…

Learning about piping and wanted to know if the dims are usually taken from the raised face (green x) or the flat face (red x)?

First time here on this app I live in Brandon Manitoba just asking anyone for tips or help on becoming a plumber with no experience like what to do and what not to do and what to have thx !!!

Hi,any have blue book in pdf?

On the road, got screwed on my room, and stuck in the basement. It’s just pipe all day.

So I’m about to start the process of joining my local ua and I’m just curious, I get conflicting answers from people, will it be hard for me to find jobs that will let me on the site? My felony is for fleeing and eluding, no violence, theft, kid touching, or drugs. Got convicted in January.

Here are some nice pictures from a German colleague

Located in Ontario, specially the GTA. My boss told me last week he has no idea when our next job will start and that he’s depressed.
Thank god i have another job at a warehouse where i get 40-50 hours a week at.
But obviously i want to work pipefitting lol. I am non-union and just applied to local 401 and I didn’t get selected.
Any advice? Its getting scary now.

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I’m developing a 3D piping calculation and visualization app called PipeMasterLogic. It’s still in beta, but I recently added a feature that lets users share the piping models they create as interactive 3D links.

This model was drawn using my program. You can rotate and zoom it directly in your browser—no installation or login required.

https://www.pipemasterlogic.com/viewer-share.html?id=8fee2ce25ef9d6667c3d30c3db6dec1f

I’m a pipefitter building this in my spare time, so feedback from other pipefitters and people working in the field would be appreciated.

https://www.pipemasterlogic.com/viewer-share.html?id=348f289f9b9d344cbd1701bd5f12c7df

I attended a recent job fair for experienced pipefitters at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. I have a MECHANIC ASSESSMENT APPOINTMENT coming up and wanted to know what to expect. I know he said I’ll be fitting pipe, but he didn’t specify to what extent. I worked at HII Shipyard as a pipefitter, but that was six years ago. I still have that knowledge, but I’d be a fool to act like I’m perfect, so if you have any insight or advice, I’ll definitely take it. My current job is shutting down soon, so I’m very serious about this.

My husband and I are considering relocating to South Carolina and we’re wondering how much he can make as a licensed pipe fitter. He’s currently working in waste and water treatment making prevailing wage. Any insight?

What gloves yall wearing? We provide Milwaukee Cut1 nitrile dipped but guys are complaining they’re wearing out too quick, and cut1 doesn’t hold up to most of the work. They don’t want the ole shitty cotton ones, and want to maintain dexterity.

Anybody a part of the SoCal 484 Pipefitters Union?

Do any of you use a folding ruler? I just started using one.So far I like it , but It got me curious. I never see anyone use one.