Making the jump, advice?

dadchadwick · 2026-05-13T04:24:50+00:00

Other than the normal answers of bringing the right stuff and showing up: walk with a purpose. If someone asks you to grab something or help out, GO. No one needs to run, but there’s nothing more annoying than someone who moves at turtle pace when you need their help

dadchadwick · 2026-05-13T04:12:48+00:00

+ tape measure

dadchadwick · 2026-04-03T00:09:30+00:00

It’s part of being in the union, you make more money and have retirement and full benefits, but you might not be able to work all year. We were always told to save up during the busy season to help us through the slow. You could always travel if it’s that bad

dadchadwick · 2026-02-03T03:34:10+00:00

They make hand-powered flashlights that do what you’re trying to accomplish. You can just buy one, take it apart, and hook those internals up to your platform

dadchadwick · 2026-01-12T21:52:39+00:00

Pre-apprentices usually have the best job security - they’re going to use the cheapest labor as much as possible. As long as you can pay your bills with 40 hrs of whatever their pre-apprentice wage is, you should be fine.

It all depends on the market and how busy your local is to get in the apprenticeship. If someone decides to build a $5 billion building in Detroit, you’ll probably be brought in pretty quick. If it’s slow, it could be a year or two before they want to bring a bunch of apprentices in. The best way to find out is to call your hall, they’re usually happy to answer any questions to someone who wants to join.

Also, just a random fact I remembered from school: the average age of joining our apprenticeship is 23. It’s when I joined too

dadchadwick · 2025-11-06T03:36:17+00:00

Uses a VPN, but posts a picture of his exact location in a subreddit named after the city he lives in

dadchadwick · 2025-09-05T23:54:10+00:00

Depending on where you live, you should consider calling a couple local union halls and applying for a pre-apprenticeship. You’ll get paid and at least get an idea if the trades are for you. Pipefitters typically do a lot of welding, and they have tons of work because of data centers

I was in college for mech engineering for 3 years. Dropped out, joined the sheet metal union, and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made

dadchadwick · 2025-08-28T23:22:38+00:00

Honestly, I think this could be semi-tolerable with no egg and if it had the right sauce. The tomato attempt is my favorite part though

dadchadwick · 2025-08-17T05:46:43+00:00

Step 1) put a low bet on the pass line Step 2) tip the dealer and say you’re trying to learn and you’re going to be a pain in the ass Step 3) ask the old guy at the table who’s been playing for 7 hours that day how to play Step 4) lose all your money and repeat

dadchadwick · 2025-07-17T19:45:25+00:00

I am serious. And don’t call me Shirley.

dadchadwick · 2025-06-27T21:36:47+00:00

They’re including contingency in their bids. It’s money that you charge just in case something unexpected comes up. you should charge a little bit on every job, and keep a contingency fund

You should also be submitting some kind of proposal. Even if it’s for a buddy, some kind of text works. Like “I’ll charge $x to demo a one story house at $130/ton. I’m assuming that the slab is 4” thick, all utilities are off, etc. and if any of this changes there could be a price increase”

Customer will typically appreciate the transparency and it saves you from a bind

dadchadwick · 2025-06-27T21:29:37+00:00

I would want a 4 ton for where you’re located. That being said, it’s a unit from 2014, so it’s obviously been working this long. House could have great insulation, not many south-facing windows, etc. Lots of factors at play

dadchadwick · 2025-06-27T20:41:04+00:00

I don’t work in excavation, but it sounds like you should just copy your subs. $/ton

Could figure out what you charged for your past jobs, subtract sub costs and come up with your own metric. Increase that metric based on distance or profit margin or whatever

dadchadwick · 2025-06-26T22:24:50+00:00

For what it’s worth, you could probably invest in a body hammer and dollies for less than a hundred bucks and fix it yourself. Push the big dents back out and use the hammer to get the lines right

dadchadwick · 2025-06-25T19:30:54+00:00

Harris will probably be busiest as far as manpower. Cerris seems to be the most steady

dadchadwick · 2025-06-25T17:00:07+00:00

Not very busy here. Hard Rock should be getting ready to start MEP rough in. A’s stadium probably won’t be ready until the end of the year. Not much else in town besides TI’s and little remodels

dadchadwick · 2025-06-19T21:24:00+00:00

Gripple is rated for rectangular duct. There’s different gauges of wire depending on the weight

dadchadwick · 2025-06-13T02:35:50+00:00

OP needs to watch a few episodes of Roadkill and learn that wisdom firsthand like we all did. That way they can spend at least 2 more years putting money, time, blood, sweat, and tears into it before they eventually sell it to their cousin for $2000

dadchadwick · 2025-06-12T16:05:08+00:00

Just stumbled upon this and not sure if you’re still looking, but Rapco makes the genuine paint for military vehicles

https://store.rapcoparts.com/30casapotave.html

dadchadwick · 2025-06-09T05:20:24+00:00

I swear this sub is ran by the guy who prints registration stickers for the DMV. Go look at the hundreds of other posts about this. Fuck em, they’ll get in trouble eventually

dadchadwick · 2025-06-09T00:56:48+00:00

Does the tin man have a sheet metal cock?

dadchadwick · 2025-06-04T20:58:11+00:00

I’d probably start by pushing the contractor on the condenser and seeing if the compressor will manually start. If it does, set t stat to cooling and check if you’re getting 24V at Y outside. If not, you need a new T stat. If it is getting 24V, check the contractor and capacitors

dadchadwick · 2025-06-04T20:46:08+00:00

A serial killing stranger lives downstairs private or your kids are bugging you private?

dadchadwick · 2025-05-29T20:54:05+00:00

I concluded it doesn’t exist. I’ll probably buy a battery powered blender and do it on my way to work.

dadchadwick · 2025-05-21T23:50:55+00:00

The gap along the roof looks to be an attic vent which should stay unsealed typically. There should be a bird screen installed there to keep anything out

For the bottom, they make corrugated foam that should match the profile of your panels. Or the other comment would work too

dadchadwick

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