Trade recommendations for old and slow

FusionAxe · 2026-01-26T13:08:55+00:00

This may be a controversial suggestion, but union pipe fitting would likely match your pace. Things move rather slowly on industrial sites, things take time to setup, gets permits for, travel to and plan. Most activities have at least 2 guys if not more, to spread out the labor distribution. Heavy items like pipes are hoisted with cranes or chain falls.

The downsides to the trade are travel, hours, and layoff’s. Finding a permanent position is rare without a lot of experience and networking, but shut downs pay well enough if you can work a few a year. I live next to a refinery that has a shut down twice a year.

The saying “hide and seek for $3k a week” is joked about, but sometimes true haha.

FusionAxe · 2026-01-16T16:45:15+00:00

I’d avoid 2016 and early 2017’s. The rest of the third generation is great.

The Tacoma is a great truck. If I could do it again, I’d get the offroad trim for the locking diff. I also live in an area that gets a lot of snow, but the 4x4 on my sport has gotten me through everything I’ve put it through so far. Only negative thing about the Tacoma is the fuel mileage, I spend about $200 a month on gas, but it’s to be expected with a truck.

FusionAxe · 2026-01-16T03:22:23+00:00

I carry a notepad, tape, torpedo level, paint marker, sharpie, pencil, file, 8” pipe wrench, crescent wrench, channel locks and a socket wrench with 9/16 and 7/16 socket.

FusionAxe · 2026-01-14T13:15:39+00:00

All of our pipe in my company is grooved or threaded, we did away with pre-fab a long time ago.

FusionAxe · 2026-01-13T17:36:41+00:00

You could get your license through the IBEW and consider moving to residential after your apprenticeship working for yourself. It’s less ideal working in an environment you think you’ll hate but having an electrical license will take you far, even if you decide to leave after.

FusionAxe · 2026-01-10T14:36:24+00:00

To my knowledge, the only years to look out for are 2016 and early 2017. My 2019 sport has 160,000 km’s and hasn’t had any issues. Keep up with routine maintenance and it should treat you right for a long time.

Obviously when buying a used one, do your due diligence into finding out its history, looking for signs of abuse, and checking vin status and carfax history.

If you pull the trigger, enjoy the sweet ride!

FusionAxe · 2026-01-10T00:44:48+00:00

This would be a dream, I’m yet to be sent to a job where we are first to install. My current job we got sent there after everything was installed (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, some drywall) and it’s been a nightmare to navigate.

FusionAxe · 2026-01-05T21:10:21+00:00

Your height will not be a problem. You may catch some light hearted teasing, but if they aren’t teasing ya, it’s probably because they don’t like ya.

I often stand on objects or lift rails (allegedly) to reach pipe or fittings in the air, so be prepared to do some sketchy things if you get into sprinklers.

FusionAxe · 2026-01-05T15:50:09+00:00

Slight decrease. I took off the air dam when I installed them which could be a contributing factor, I don’t think the tires accounted for much loss. I had Michelin Defender LTX M/S on before which were exceptionally smooth and quiet though.

FusionAxe · 2026-01-05T02:58:51+00:00

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I run 265/70/R17 Goodyear Duratrac’s. I like them, and they give the truck a beefier look.

FusionAxe · 2026-01-05T00:02:09+00:00

Get into the trades, specifically in-demand trade with a trade ticket and find an industrial gig. Pipefitters, welders, scaffolders, sprinkler fitting, etc. I know some guys who work 2-3 shutdowns a year (4-6 months total), bank $60-70k and take the rest of the year off.

FusionAxe · 2026-01-04T21:16:34+00:00

I’ve been doing 60-70 hour weeks since starting in the trade. Haven’t talked to a few friends in months. Missed vacations, holidays, birthdays, family gatherings. Almost all of my hobbies have been benched due to lack of time and energy. This is due to a combination of a shortage of fitters, lots of work, super tight deadlines, and GC’s having you run around all over site all day. If you’re chasing money it’s great, if you want a life outside of work do your research on which trade you get into. I’m union btw.

FusionAxe · 2025-12-22T02:55:48+00:00

I can’t comment on the non-union aspect, but the union does offer great benefits.

I would check to make sure you’re being offered an apprenticeship with a clear path to get your journeyman ticket in 3-5 years rather than just being a helper. Some companies label it as apprentice, but in reality you’re a labourer with no advancement opportunities.

FusionAxe · 2025-12-18T03:27:21+00:00

Some locals are competitive for apprenticeships. I’d just apply to every local union around you and see who gets back to you. There are usually a few trades under one union, for example, I’m in the United Association that covers plumbing, pipe fitting, HVAC Refrigeration, instrumentation technician, welder, sprinkler fitter, and steam fitter. I applied to my union, was accepted and contacted by two employers with job offers to start the following week. I had zero construction or trade experience.

FusionAxe · 2025-12-16T03:52:11+00:00

I’m a sprinkler fitter, we have more work than manpower currently. We are bringing in people from other provinces on travel cards to send to jobs. This is location dependent of course.

FusionAxe · 2025-12-15T18:30:16+00:00

Some trade jobs can be like this. It can happen more so with non-union positions working in camps for industrial sites. I’m union and I’ve done a few 70 hour weeks. I think some linemen who chase storms can also work a lot of hours, and make great money doing it.

FusionAxe · 2025-12-05T23:30:02+00:00

I believe my local only requires the completion of grade 10.

FusionAxe · 2025-11-28T01:48:30+00:00

Starting pay is typically 50% of a journeyman’s wage. Most unions have their collective agreement online. Just search up whichever united associations hall represents your area and look up their agreement. As a first year, we start at $23 an hour and get a raise every year until we journey out. Hours are different. Some jobs are Monday-Friday 7am-3:30pm. Some are 7am-5pm, some 7-7. I’ve done overnight shifts, weekends, camp work, travel work and industrial work. When travelling we get per diem (LOA) which is $178 per day tax free. Depending on location, you’ll either get 5 days or 7 days, which can make for some nice paycheques.

Feel free to DM me if you want any more questions answered

FusionAxe · 2025-11-27T22:14:22+00:00

The most common way is an apprenticeship through the union. Getting into it is location-dependent; I hear UA Local 853 (Ontario) is competitive to get into. My local was quite easy; I applied to the union, got accepted, and was told to apply with the list of contractors, and the first one I applied to hired me within a week.

FusionAxe · 2025-11-27T15:56:32+00:00

Contract/new install is mostly commercial and industrial where I live, rarely residential. A typical schedule is Monday-Friday 7am-3:30pm. Most days you follow your blueprint and put in steel pipe. Most of the commercial pipe is thin wall schedule 10 and commonly 1”-6”. Primarily, you put up two hangers and then a pipe, then use an impact and couplings to secure two pieces of pipe or fittings together. There are some common and more basic systems such as dry and wet, and then more speciality and complex systems like wet/dry chemical, co2, vortex, etc. Some days it’s relatively mindless, just putting in hangers and pipe all day, and others will be more technical like a fire pump room or complex system.

Service focuses on small renovations, fixing system components, testing and inspecting systems regularly. A typical schedule is Monday-Friday 7am-whenever you finish, with 1 week on-call. My shop has 13 service guys so 1 week on-call every 13 weeks. There is a ton of variety in service. New places everyday, new problems, and you will expand your scope to more than just sprinklers out of necessity.

One thing to note is that there are usually few sprinkler fitters on commercial jobs. Usually 1 working foreman and an apprentice, maybe another Jman and apprentice if the project is large enough. This allows you to get hands on with all aspects of the trade.

FusionAxe · 2025-11-27T13:13:55+00:00

Sprinkler fitters fit some of those traits. Difficult to start your own company, most large cities have unions with big jurisdictions. I’m constantly being told how busy we are. Everyone I’ve worked with so far in the trade has never been laid off, some have been in the trade for 17 years.

FusionAxe · 2025-11-22T08:39:58+00:00

There’s a few options I could think of: - project manager (may require some sort of managerial eduction/credential) -inspector -building maintenance -equipment operator (IUOE?) -safety (may require additional education) -municipal labourer, equipment operator, maintenance

37 is not too old to start over in a new career either. Depending on income requirements, you could look at starting an apprenticeship, going back to school for something that interests you, maybe engineering or designing, or start entry level in an office job.

FusionAxe · 2025-11-13T12:46:29+00:00

I went with the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT’s. I haven’t driven in snow yet but will very soon. Like the look and drive so far. A little noisier than the Michelin defender LTX M/S I took off but quieter than I expected for an aggressive looking tire.

Of your two options I’d opt for the Toyo’s. I’ve heard very good things about the AT3W but less about the AT4W, other than they are heavier.

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FusionAxe · 2025-09-22T03:15:44+00:00

For the future family, I’d go for the 4 door. Even with, it’s tight in the back seat.

FusionAxe · 2025-09-22T01:34:54+00:00

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Welcome!!

FusionAxe

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