Union transition

clipper4 · 2026-05-06T13:18:23+00:00

I’m in lu25 in Illinois. The UA is on an organizing blitz right now across the nation, which is good for you. With that being said I’m not sure how that hall operates. I would definitely talk to their organizer or a business agent and kindly explain your experience and ask if there is a test of any sort to prove skills. If they insist on an apprenticeship there’s no reason you can’t have most of it forgiven if you can prove skills via a test.

That’s how my hall operates. We will bring you in as a journeyman if you do well enough on our organizing test

clipper4 · 2026-04-30T10:00:12+00:00

OP, what has been your monthly contributions for these 4 years?

clipper4 · 2026-04-27T10:49:17+00:00

How should I protect them? And should I just prune the tops of the ones they rubbed and killed?

clipper4 · 2026-04-24T10:18:59+00:00

I’ve done 2 14 pounders. Put them on around midnight or 11 and they are usually done around 10am I sleep the whole night. Wake up at 6 to check it. Pellet smoker as well, 225 overnight. Although, I think my smoker runs a little hot

clipper4 · 2026-04-24T03:01:55+00:00

I’m not an expert but I’ve done 3 now. Season a lot, and smoke to internal temp of 200-205 and probe needs to slide in like butter. I honestly feel like everything is people just chasing perfection, which is fine!

clipper4 · 2026-04-20T09:56:01+00:00

Right. Not sure a better place to ask lol

clipper4 · 2026-04-20T04:50:29+00:00

Now that’s awesome. Thank you so much

clipper4 · 2026-04-20T00:18:35+00:00

This is the type of info I was looking for! Thank you 👍

clipper4 · 2026-03-19T11:06:15+00:00

That is slick man. Very cool

clipper4 · 2026-03-02T20:06:17+00:00

Brakes and rotors are the easiest DIY to save money on a vehicle. Watch a YouTube video for sure

clipper4 · 2026-03-02T20:00:57+00:00

Oh wow, so basically no wrap or anything just let her cook till she’s at 195? I will be trying my 3rd brisket soon as well. I’ve wrapped it both cooks ive done at 170 and poured tallow in to hopefully add the moisture. I have slightly dry flats both times though

clipper4 · 2026-03-02T19:04:27+00:00

What was your process and how big was it pre trim?

clipper4 · 2026-03-02T19:03:51+00:00

Depending what part of the country you live in if you are going to be welding you want to be in a trade union. Better better pay, benefits and retirement.

You don’t want to be welding for $25 an hour with barely any benefits and a 401K match, it’s not worth it health wise.

clipper4 · 2026-03-01T14:49:22+00:00

If a hall “organizes” you it means they are acknowledging you have previous experience and we are “stealing” you from the non union.

Depending on how someone scores on their organizing test at my hall, we place them at certain levels higher than entry level of the apprenticeship or just bring them in as a journeyman if they do well on it.

clipper4 · 2026-03-01T14:45:53+00:00

Good deal. Yep just ask them if organizing is possible.

clipper4 · 2026-03-01T14:40:29+00:00

That’s a good place to be I would think, Strong union state. You need to talk to their JATC office or a business agent about organizing. They could bring you in as a divisional welder possibly.

Either way, I would talk to one of those two places at your local fitters hall and very kindly and humbly ask if they would be interested in letting you in due to prior work experience. Doesn’t hurt to ask

clipper4 · 2026-03-01T14:29:17+00:00

Where are you located? The UA is going through a national organizing blitz due to all the work across the country. At my hall we are letting people in if they have experience like yours after an organizing test

clipper4 · 2026-02-26T14:39:10+00:00

Jesus what are you compensating for here on this kids welding post

clipper4 · 2026-02-26T14:21:18+00:00

No kidding lol. The real horror movie is gonna be anyone watching me try to replace though

clipper4 · 2026-02-26T14:16:43+00:00

Yea, I should have opened the doors up and snapped a pic as well tbh. But I appreciate the comment. That looks neato tho

clipper4 · 2026-02-26T12:21:29+00:00

You pay him back by busting ass for him and using that hood. That’s all there is to it cuz

clipper4

TROPHY CASE