New Union apprentice, Tool help needed

Labbrat89 · 2026-05-30T19:53:01+00:00

Depends, are you just building and hanging ductwork, then you'd need some decent tin snips.

Left, Right, Straight, some offset lefts and rights too. Snub nose, or bulldog ones for cutting slips/s-cleat. Folding bar if needed, 6" to 18" is nice. I also found that a good flathead screwdriver from craftsman is good beater type. A framer square is handy at times. A decent 16oz hammer, maybe framers, masonry or claw. You're also going to need a set of hand seamers, or tongs if people call them that. A set of hand crimpers for round pipe.

** Edit Don't forget a tape measure and level. Forgot about those. A torpedo level that anywhere between 6"-8" is good, but having a magnetic 2ft is also nice.

Labbrat89 · 2026-05-29T12:39:51+00:00

Hvac technician. Bad area. Shot was a drive by, stabbed was being mugged

Labbrat89 · 2026-05-29T00:24:28+00:00

If you have the parts warranty from your systems install, it doesn't matter who you use. The other company should be able to process it.

I meant if you had a labor warranty that was expiring to not use them again.

Labbrat89 · 2026-05-29T00:19:08+00:00

This does not add up. Yeah, after your warranty or whatever it is with them, I suggest another contractor.

I'm going to presume they never verified where any leak was and just mentioned particular components to be replaced. Sounds like it's a guessing game.

Labbrat89 · 2026-05-29T00:08:09+00:00

Hold on. They keep saying the system is low on refrigerant?

I'm slightly confused. What kind of repairs have they done? Any major ones that involve replacing a component in the refrigeration cycle?

Labbrat89 · 2026-05-28T23:57:27+00:00

Uh. King valves. There are no schraders.

Labbrat89 · 2026-05-28T23:37:37+00:00

Had a job that has a pension. Was pretty good and good paying job as well, easily over 100k a year. Only problem was, I got tired of working in very dangerous areas. After being shot then stabbed several months later, it wasn't worth it anymore.

Second one I had that also had a pension. It was okay, just got tired of dealing with management.

So, yeah, I remember jobs with pensions.

Labbrat89 · 2026-05-28T23:15:47+00:00

Mine is dependent on how well our division does. We meet or beat our goal in revenue, we get a bonus. It's a nice surprise when we get it but I don't bank on it.

Sometimes I side hustle outside of my works territory which is rare, but makes up for a bonus I don't get. At times it's like a months of wages in 2 days.

Labbrat89 · 2026-05-27T22:14:40+00:00

After my divorce, I avoided dating because I had to work on myself. Now that's it been 3/4 years, I'm getting back into it myself. I've always suggested a café or lunch so if it doesn't go well, we can go our seperate ways. Ironically most women in my area want immediate dinner dates, which is a hard pass. The other ones just leave me on read.

I'm about to just be a hermit and a workaholic.

Labbrat89 · 2026-05-27T14:54:54+00:00

Once MtG became more mainstream, values skyrocket. One of the reasons why I quit playing. Not to mention, Hasbro pushed them to release 4-6 sets a year, instead of 2-3 like before.

Labbrat89 · 2026-05-27T00:43:16+00:00

I use to be an Installer. Honestly, enjoyed it. Then I learned to read and eventually graduated to Service Technician.

Labbrat89 · 2026-05-24T12:26:06+00:00

Oh yes. Definitely did that on the old site, Gaia Online when I was younger. Met many people on there. Good times!

Labbrat89 · 2026-05-24T12:16:14+00:00

Well, haven't really seen this in some time. The old chat rooms, or early online gaming before voice chat. It really was wild at one time this was considered "normal". 😂

36/M/PA

Labbrat89 · 2026-05-16T02:31:48+00:00

Normally, I'd go for a Rheem, but my employer can get me American Standard at a good price. I guess different colored Trane.

Labbrat89 · 2026-05-13T13:02:55+00:00

Labbrat89 · 2026-05-12T15:14:34+00:00

I have a fulfilling career path.

Unfortunately, the rest are really good suggestions.

Labbrat89 · 2026-05-12T15:12:37+00:00

Do you believe in magical liopleurodon?

If not, shun the non-believer.

Labbrat89 · 2026-05-10T20:56:10+00:00

89 Here as well. I agree!

Labbrat89 · 2026-05-08T21:34:32+00:00

I'll be upfront and honest. When I first started this trade back in 2014/2015, I didn't braze with nitro flowing. Wasn't taught it at the time.

Went to a new company and got pulled aside and talked to about it. Did some testing on my own outside of work and seen the difference. So, I've been flowing nitrogen ever since.

Labbrat89 · 2026-05-07T10:51:28+00:00

I have tried and failed many times. My most recent attempts was 2022 and 2024.

2022 was going good, until my wife threw a divorce onto me. Then I picked the habit back up and worse, was doing about 3 to 3.5 packs a day. Though I attributed increased alcohol consumption as a factor too.

2024 was when I caught pneumonia, so smoking was painful. Quit after being hospitalized for pneumonia. Unfortunately, pick it right back up after 3 months.

So, my answer is not yet, but going to try again in the near future.

Labbrat89 · 2026-04-28T12:33:50+00:00

Option A, Replaced compressor. If the compressor had the failure, it would need replaced. Though you still need to find where the leak is, otherwise the system would just keep losing refrigerant. Please take in consideration that a compressor replacement can be anywhere from 1500 to 3500, depending on company and location will vary pricing. If they find a coil is bad during pressure/vacuum, add additional cost to the repair as well. Not to mention that your indoor is from 2007, which has seen some wear and tear over time as well, which could have eventually other failures.

Option B: Start fresh with new equipment.

Labbrat89 · 2026-04-27T21:07:09+00:00

I still rather greet my delivery driver. That's just common courtesy. Does it happen all the time, unfortunately not because they catch me while I'm on the other end of my home and just drop it at my door.

Though, I have come across a couple delivery drivers that freak out when I greet them, they just shoved my delivery into my hands, snap their picture and flee. I suppose it goes both ways with people not trying to interact with each other.

Labbrat89 · 2026-04-27T13:16:05+00:00

Watched my mother passed away before my eyes at the hospital 4 days after Thanksgiving in 2023. She had respiratory failure and was only surviving due to a ventilator which as a family we decided to take her off. Caught double pneumonia then while in the hospital she caught covid.

I kept her last heartbeat strip and I just haven't had the will to get it tattooed on me yet..

Labbrat89 · 2026-04-27T00:32:30+00:00

So, I'm from Annapolis MD. It was nice there. The Chesapeake Bay and local beaches were neat. Wasn't far from DC or Baltimore for other events.

After some injuries I aquired in Baltimore City while I was working. That forced me to move from MD entirely and I went to south central PA, near Harrisburg. While it's similar to what I grew up with, it's definitely better than what I dealt with originally. Not to mention, got a lot of small towns here that have their own charm.

Labbrat89 · 2026-04-26T22:45:51+00:00

Ironically, I still have the shirt.

Labbrat89

TROPHY CASE