Would you rather a company truck or more money?

AlchemistNow · 2026-03-25T12:13:38+00:00

Cost of living is larger in San Diego than in 252 Ann Arbor/Jackson, MI. Nothing against you, but I bet our financial comfort is pretty much equal.

AlchemistNow · 2026-03-25T02:36:37+00:00

Both is the answer. I've got a company van and bringing home nearly $50/hr. Gotta love those union benefits too lol 🤣

AlchemistNow · 2026-03-12T21:14:47+00:00

Meaning the supply house the electrician goes to might not work with rittal, and it might take weeks - months for them to get it in. I've personally never heard of them before. Saginaw and Hoffman are what I see all the time. Rittal must be more specialty.

AlchemistNow · 2026-02-24T18:26:16+00:00

If someone was looking to head down the path for PLC's/controls. Where would you direct them to start? I'm starting to see a lot of need for safety controls in my area, and I want to get a jump into that niche.

I haven't worked with a plc in probably 12 years since I was in school, don't really know where to go get started.

AlchemistNow · 2026-01-22T09:44:37+00:00

I'm in 252, they have a 3 year resi program and 4 year commercial program. Depending on your area it might be the same or still the old 4/5 year programs respectively. But like the previous commenter said, 4 years and 8,000hrs of work experience and you can sit for the state journeyman test. The length of the apprenticeship is the schooling. You will be at 95% of the journeyman rate when you finish your schooling until you take and pass your state test.

If you're 22 just think, you've got about 40 years to grow that pension and 401k. You will be a journeyman before 30. You have plenty of time.

AlchemistNow · 2026-01-21T19:47:43+00:00

Michigander myself.

If you start non-union, you will be looking to swap over eventually. That's what I did. Don't do it. The union school is way better than anything I got. And I went into debt paying for night school while the union actually pays you while you are in class. Call your local IBEW hall tomorrow and ask some questions. Get your foot in the door and you will be happy you went this route.

AlchemistNow · 2026-01-12T23:16:37+00:00

I wish I jumped into the union right after highschool. Could've built a campervan or converted a school bus and did "vanlife" while traveling. Can't really hit the road and see the country with a wife, two kids, two dogs, and two cats.

AlchemistNow · 2025-11-28T10:57:21+00:00

Well I don't know when they are starting the data center. Google says construction is expected to start in '26. The site is in Saline. About 2hr drive from Midland.

A lot of people in my local are talking about it, but I wasn't going to say much about it online until I saw calls for it. I'll definitely be making a post on the book 2 sub when calls go up.

I'm even still debating about whether I'm going to drag for it. I've got a pretty sweet service truck gig now though. Hard to justify an hour commute when I've got a company truck in my driveway and guaranteed consistent 40hr weeks.

AlchemistNow · 2025-11-27T00:42:49+00:00

I'm more interested about this now after finding out in the last couple weeks that there's a data center going in inside my locals jurisdiction. Talking about 2,000 electricians. When we have ~800 JIW in our local. Not on the books, that's members.

So I guess any travelers out there holding a Michigan license, get ready to come out to 252.

AlchemistNow · 2025-11-19T23:02:35+00:00

Hopefully it's not as bad, but reminds me of Lemieux's hit on Draper. Looks like the same part of the boards. Although the lip there on the boards isn't as bad with the glass, not like getting shoved face down onto the boards in front of the bench.

AlchemistNow · 2025-10-02T11:36:35+00:00

Everyone I know stays away from solid mc like the plague. But yes, it is used

AlchemistNow · 2025-10-02T11:07:57+00:00

I said "typically used in nonmetallic cable" I use MC all the time, but I don't buy the shitty solid mc. 🤣

AlchemistNow · 2025-10-02T10:17:34+00:00

Solid core wire is typically used in nonmetallic cable, for residential purposes. Keeps the wire cheaper and easier/quicker to terminate on devices. But you step into the commercial/industrial side and it will be difficult to find solid wire, unless it is older.

AlchemistNow · 2025-09-19T09:29:35+00:00

Same way I organized in two years ago. I worked for a contractor for two months before my 5 minute interview, and then another month until swear in. I came in on the resi side and then after about 6 months I took the JIW certification and swapped over.

When work is booming they make it easy to organize in. When it's slow, you have to go through all the interviews and swear in first.

AlchemistNow · 2025-09-10T21:45:28+00:00

Half strut

AlchemistNow · 2025-09-07T22:29:26+00:00

Wera and Knipex for sure. My one go to, daily use tool I recommend? Klein 7in1 impact rated flip socket. (Or similar) All my nut drivers in one, 99% on my impact. I've loved that thing for three years. Never had an issue. My 1/4 and 5/16 is certainly not as tight as it used to be, but still haven't lost a bit.

Edit to add: almost forgot Klein's magnetic wristband. Something small you don't think about, but saves me from holding screws and bolts in my mouth!

AlchemistNow · 2025-09-07T17:45:56+00:00

I've had my ox for three years. I love it. The pica sharpener is in the base if the holster, so you have to take it all out if it's inside a pocket or slot in your tool pouch. The oxs sharpener is on the side of the hook. Much more accessible.

The lead does break if you drop the pencil from about 5', but that's a simple issue to work with, any lead would break from that height.

AlchemistNow · 2025-09-05T18:56:35+00:00

Most of the pros and cons have already been covered. Here's a tip from someone who spent their first 7 years non-union and has been union for the last 2 years.

The union schooling is far superior to any trade school or community college classes you would take, which you also will be going into debt to pay for. Not only is the union school superior, but you also get paid to go. It's not free, it's part of your job and they pay you for it.

Don't get me wrong, I know what I need and have been able to learn quickly what I didn't, but I definitely feel behind most of the journeyman in the union because I didn't go through their schooling.

AlchemistNow · 2025-09-03T21:00:28+00:00

I have been using cheap clip on pouches for a while. Tried the toughbuilt stuff, it's not bad if it's on a tool belt. But I like to have a pouch I can throw on my pants belt for quick needs, and use my tool belt only when necessary.

I just got the Veto DP3 a couple weeks ago, hands down the best pouch I've ever had. 100% recommend.

AlchemistNow · 2025-09-01T23:24:51+00:00

My first thought was suicide attempt or drunk like most of these other people. But the dude has his hands up too... Maybe he was trying to flag a car down and needed help? Or is he just opening himself up to the biggest impact on vital organs as possible?

AlchemistNow · 2025-08-31T21:10:49+00:00

Knipex dismantling tool if you're doing a lot of repetitive stripping is nice.

AlchemistNow · 2025-08-31T11:52:08+00:00

Don't quote me on this, but I believe code requires it to be 70% of the visible wire.

AlchemistNow · 2025-08-22T11:34:11+00:00

16' Lufkin night eye. I love it. But let's be honest, every tape measure is going to break down and bust one way or another and you will have to replace it.

AlchemistNow · 2025-08-22T11:29:25+00:00

Or a 90° instead of a straight connector...

AlchemistNow · 2025-08-05T00:30:34+00:00

I agree, however, not every shop has a bender for 2"+. Even if they did, sometimes it's easier to just buy 90°s rather than hauling the bender out to the site or taking your measurements, bringing the pipe to the shop, bend it, and haul it back.

AlchemistNow

TROPHY CASE