what do you know about heating / electric work?

[scue]

Alright, so i'm green as hell, but am starting a job at a small heating/electric place and want to learn as much as I can before I step in. To be honest, I know little to nothing yet.. if you have any insight to offer, that'd be great. More specif.: what tools and skills are expected soon after starting? What would you imagine some regular duties/work are going to be? (I know it's sort of broad since I don't even know if I'll be doing electrical or heating/plumbing) Just tryin to prepare myself as much as I can.. they already know i'm inexperienced.

[tiedye]

At first, you'll be drilling a lot of holes in studs and pulling wires through. When I got my first casual labour gig, it was doing electrical work. All I did was crimp wires, grab this or that... pretty much everything that a monkey could do while they slowly taught me how to properly install lighting fixtures or breaker boxes. I wouldn't sweat it. It's a pretty easy gig so long as you pay attention.

[FireWire]

Heh, it's a good thing you asked this question.

And to answer your question - I have no freakin' clue which tools you need and what kind of jobs you will be doing. However, the one thing that I know is something I learned from personal experience of being a green guy at a steel reinforcing company a couple of years ago...


The Embarrassment Period:

Most of the guys at work sites will try to play little tricks and pranks on you. The most common type of joke they play on green guys is asking to fetch them a non-existent item. At steel reinforcing, one such item might've been a 'bar stretcher' or a 'sky hook'. There is no such thing as a bar stretcher or a hook that hooks up to the sky. There will be a lot of laughter if you get caught trying to fetch your coworkers a non-existent tool or item.


Good luck at trying to spot which tools sound realistic, and which will be made up!

[Chewy]

here are a list of tools any electrical apprentice would need

screwdivers:
phillips #2
robertson #1 #2
flat blades small , medium , large
linesman plyers
side cutting plyers
Pipe wrench
needle nose plyers
Wire strippers

Those are the basic tools you will need, i highly doubt you will use anything else for the first few months. As time goes on you will learn of other tools you may need.

Dont cheap out on your plyers "Klein" is a good brand, they should have them at homedepot. If you get cheap tools it will show after time. Screwdiver tips become worn quicker. Plyers and cutters dull rapidly.

i would also suggest a tool belt with and accessories pouch, one side for all your tools and the other for nails, screws, wire connectors, etc. if you dont want a belt , get a tool bag, one which has slots and spots for all your tools . then you can just carry it where ever you go.

I assume you will be doing electrical circuitry. It never hurts to read up and get some book knowledge. Make sure you pay attention to the guys you are working with. You can learn many tricks of the trade and find ways to improve your skills. As an apprentice its your job to help and learn, always try to stay one step ahead of your journeyman. Watch what he is doing and anticipate what will be done next and have it ready to go. Dont stand around and be a "yes man" , try your best to learn and pick up the trade quickly. If you show determination you will be given more responsibility sooner and therefore get raises sooner.

For any green thumb starting a trade, there will be alot of things you dont understand. Only time and experience will help you, so stay with it. Im sure your employer knows you are as green as they get. I wouldnt worry to much about your skills, you will learn as you work.

If there is anything else you need to know dont hesitate to ask.

Good luck

[Chewy]

Originally Posted by FireWire

Heh, it's a good thing you asked this question.

And to answer your question - I have no freakin' clue which tools you need and what kind of jobs you will be doing. However, the one thing that I know is something I learned from personal experience of being a green guy at a steel reinforcing company a couple of years ago...


The Embarrassment Period:

Most of the guys at work sites will try to play little tricks and pranks on you. The most common type of joke they play on green guys is asking to fetch them a non-existent item. At steel reinforcing, one such item might've been a 'bar stretcher' or a 'sky hook'. There is no such thing as a bar stretcher or a hook that hooks up to the sky. There will be a lot of laughter if you get caught trying to fetch your coworkers a non-existent tool or item.


Good luck at trying to spot which tools sound realistic, and which will be made up!

hahaha, ive been tricked a few times. Most electrical apprentices get caught when they are asked to find the "Wire Stretcher". There is no such thing.

[FireWire]

AH yes, I just remembered something after reading Chewy's post:

> NEVER cheap out on plyers and hammers.


Remember that. If you get a shitty pair of plyers, you will see why it's important to have a proper functioning pair instead. And same goes for a hammer (if you will ever need one) - it's not fun seeing the head of a hammer fly off the handle and hit someone else in the head...

(^lol I can't say I'm not guilty of the hammer incident either :embarrest:)

[Chewy]

yea^^

a good pair of linesman plyers will run you about 40-45 bucks

[scue]

big thanks for the responses guys.

Originally Posted by Chewy

linesman plyers
side cutting plyers
needle nose plyers

quick question (i'll be back) how do the applications of these differ?

[Chewy]

Originally Posted by scue

big thanks for the responses guys.



quick question (i'll be back) how do the applications of these differ?

all 3 have different shaped tips, different sized blades, and all different usages. You will need all 3 if you are doing electrical. Its hard to explain if have not done any work yet. But you will use all 3, im sure of it.

[lildonkey]

What'choo know about heatin

[tiedye]

Originally Posted by lildonkey

What'choo know about heatin

I knows I be packin it with the safety off.

[Webber]

lesson one

the bucket of amps, the wire stretcher and skyhook come in a GREENE box.

lesson 2

most heaters are 208/240V if you don't know whether its live or not just touch the conductors together and it'll trip the breaker

lesson 3
everything mentioned in lesson one doesn't exist (except the Greene box) and lesson two is the worst way to deal with a live circuit


most ppl like to teach green guys because then they can make sure you do it their way.

[scue]

Originally Posted by Webber

most ppl like to teach green guys because then they can make sure you do it their way.

that's really good to know for reassurance so as I know they have a reason to want to teach.

hilarious post too. and now that we've dealt with the worst way, what's the best way to find out if a circuit is indeed live? (random)

[tiedye]

A voltage tester. I can't remember the proper name but it's just a box with two prongs. One on positive, one on negative.

[Chewy]

Originally Posted by tiedye

A voltage tester. I can't remember the proper name but it's just a box with two prongs. One on positive, one on negative.

multimeter> ammeter, voltmeter

or you can get a wiggins tester. Which just measures voltage within proximity to the tester. Not always accurate or trustworthy.

The best method in dealing with circuits is to pretend it is always live.

[Chewy]

Originally Posted by scue

that's really good to know for reassurance so as I know they have a reason to want to teach.

hilarious post too. and now that we've dealt with the worst way, what's the best way to find out if a circuit is indeed live? (random)

If i can tell you one thing, one thing in which you should remember.. Do not ever take someones word on whether the circuit is dead. check for yourself and lock it out. It really isnt worth getting shocked. Due to your in-experience you may be asked to do things which are unsafe. Since you dont know exactly what your doing it may seem alright to proceed. Just make sure you learn your lock out procedures, and you have the right to refuse unsafe work. If your boss calls your bluff and tells you he will fire you, then fuck off and find another job. there are plenty out there so dont worry about finding another one.

[Webber]

Originally Posted by scue

that's really good to know for reassurance so as I know they have a reason to want to teach.

hilarious post too. and now that we've dealt with the worst way, what's the best way to find out if a circuit is indeed live? (random)

easiest way is a pen tester (its the size of a pen and it lights up when you touch it to a live circuit - above 70 volts) it'll cost you about $15 - $30