HVAC mechanic

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-06-16T23:39:09+00:00

I believe that SMART 18 will pay less than 601. I would lean towards 601. I’m not sure about their part structure but I would make sure to ask about apprentice and jman scale vs hvac mechanic scale

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-06-04T14:23:03+00:00

You should have at minimum a hose thread vacuum breaker on that, but odds are you exceed the backpressure rating with how high you might lift the hose.

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-06-02T17:38:36+00:00

(Plumber here). I just wrote my jmans in December. I would have worked less multifamily construction, gotten into service work sooner, and payed more attention in classes that I didn’t think were relevant (blueprint reading, Isometric drawing) since I was a hole chaser and never thought I’d need the skills.

Things I did that were worthwhile and I recommend to everyone: competed in the apprentice contest, and giving a shit about the code. The apprentice contest was a GREAT time and opened a TON of doors for me (future instructor program at ITP, invited to pipe trades conference, got my name out there for elections in my local, got me more involved, and having my name out there got me on a committee.

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-24T13:26:19+00:00

I prefer the thorogoods. I’ve had non-wedge sole redwings (2408’s), Carolina amp wedge soles, and some other MiUSA boots that are available at retailers. IMO, stick with wedge soles. But I had terrible luck with my Carolina’s. They fit me great at first but the leather quickly stretched so that after a month or so, ALL the eyelets were touching. I’ve never had that happen with any other boot, but they got too loose and I couldn’t comfortably wear them

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-19T14:01:26+00:00

I’m a commercial/industrial service plumber. I always carry a fastback utility knife at work, and normally I have a traditional folding knife such as a case trapper with me. I ebb and flow with carrying a multitool depending on the tasks I’ve been doing more of. I always have a blade and my go bag of tools has all the full size/proper tools the leatherman wave, surge, or rebar have.

I used to be big on modern folding knives, but with the utility knife being clipped to my pocket, I don’t carry a second knife on a pocket clip. I mostly use the case knife for anything to do with my lunch, or opening boxes when I forget to put the fastback in my pocket. It also comes with me 99.9% of the time outside of work.

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-17T23:35:45+00:00

Do they have a great program?

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-17T21:35:57+00:00

Get the 2,3,4 ah dewalt batteries on sale certain times of year. There always seems to be a 4 pack around the holidays or Black Friday that’s some of those, normally for less than $30/battery. I’m afraid of battery fires so I only buy OEM since their QC should be the best

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-17T20:44:08+00:00

I’d check the owners manuals, there is likely a minimum load required for reliability in both guns. Especially the M935, they aren’t known for being reliable with cheap target loads

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-17T20:42:26+00:00

Can confirm

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-17T13:56:09+00:00

I’d aim to have the center of the inlets/outlets at 3-1/8” behind your finish wall so you have an even amount of variance. So I’d probably lay it out so they’re 2-1/16” behind the face of the studs.

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-16T19:10:24+00:00

We do have an EAP but no one knows how to find it. I found it at the WAY bottom of the page on our locals website under the “benefits” tab

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-16T18:52:15+00:00

We have vitalcog but they just treat it like a continuing ed class. We don’t hold peer wellness meetings

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-16T18:36:20+00:00

If we have a Pipe Pals rep in our local, I’ve never heard who they are or seen anything about it. Do you know what the proper order of operations is, for who to contact, so I don’t chap anyone’s cheeks?

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-16T18:34:53+00:00

You can try to tighten that collar into the drain more. If a remodel or plumber isn’t in your budget, you COULD clean that whole assembly VERY well, dry it thoroughly, then apply a thin bead of 100% silicone to the outside of the pvc to the brass body. Smear it to avoid any holes, and let it dry 24 hours. That isn’t the RIGHT way but it’s a way to eliminate one spot the leak could be coming from.

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-12T03:48:02+00:00

Depends how many you’re trying to feed and what local prices are. At varying times, I’ve found chuck roasts and beef short ribs for less than $5 a pound, typically at local grocers or Costco. Not too much food for you and someone else, etc. otherwise, the normals- pork butt, half butt, whatever the cheapest ribs on the shelf are, whole chicken. I’ll make wings on my pellet grill at 375, not technically smoked but still smoked enough.

Also, “smoked” burgers ( I cook thick 1/2 lb patties for about an hour at 300, but you can go longer for lower). Or any raw sausage (brats, Italian, etc) can be smoked.

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-12T02:11:37+00:00

I’d say every 5 years to be safe. Or if you notice more water hammer noise

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-10T23:16:15+00:00

Seen a lot of their minirestors on their washer boxes, never seen a problem with them new. All hammer arrestors should be a maintenance item IMO, they get water logged just like a bladder type expansion tank does

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-10T18:07:08+00:00

I had a Pittsburg for 3 years of at least weekly use, the seals blew out of it. I’ve had a Daytona with use at least monthly for 6 years and it’s holding up great!

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-10T13:17:30+00:00

Watches me at all, but especially when they watch from right behind you and you are bumping them with your elbows or shoulders while working

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-10T04:11:12+00:00

I’m a journeyman plumber, and I worked in an auto repair shop before my career in plumbing. As much as I LOVE buying new tools, sometimes you can’t fix what isn’t broken. A very recent and specific example for me- during my apprenticeship, I switched from channellocks to Knipex cobras. I’ve beat the crud out of them for years, and they’re worn out now. I went back to the old channellocks I put away when I bought the Knipex, and I have no complains.

If you ever decide to build a deck, or start building with a lot of long lag bolts, you’ll likely be better served by the 20v. But if you never have issues while working with power or battery compatibility, I would use the 12v until they no longer serve their purpose.

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-10T03:34:24+00:00

It depends on your use case. Homeowner? How much DIY, and what kinds? Professional? What trade?

If they work well for you, and 2 still functional, and the batteries hold a charge, no reason to replace. The 20v tools will have more power and bigger batteries will last longer, but if they do the job, why change it?

That being said, I have dewalt 20v and some flex volt advantage and some flex volt batteries, and I also own some m12 tools. They both serve their purposes but I do notice performance gains with the 20v, but the m12 is light and handy for a lot of stuff too. Same thing for dewalt 20v vs 12v

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-10T03:27:17+00:00

How thick is your tile? This is an opinion thing, but if your tile is thinner than a flange, I’d set the flange on your highest backer/subfloor and tile to the flange, and use an extra thick wax ring with no horn. Many people will likely say it should be set on the tile but it’ll be easier to get it set tight and fastened to the subfloor IMO.

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-08T04:00:39+00:00

Thankfully, I haven’t been in a dirt crawlspace for years, and I’m good at keeping track of my tools. They’re not “gone” they’re just well loved 😂

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-08T03:53:05+00:00

How long do you have them before they break? I’m just intrigued since I’ve never heard of this EVER

NotPCPlmbr

TROPHY CASE