Welding Tips and Tricks

Hi guys, I have a situation I'd like some advice on. I'm currently working as a pipefitter pre-apprentice (for the last 7 months) with a chance to be accepted as a first year apprentice next september. I also just received my acceptance letter from the local ironworkers union accepting me as a first year apprentice starting Jan . They would be willing to fast track my apprenticeship and I'll be a 2nd year ironwork apprentice by July. The journeyman pay his roughly the same between pipefitters and ironworkers. The pipefitting pre apprenticeship is low paying (think $10 an hour) and I'm not even guaranteed a slot next year. I do feel I would have a better career with the fitters, though I'd be making $23 an hour with the ironworkers, vs $10 with the fitters. What do you guys think?
ETA- My goal is to work as a welder regardless of which union I'm in.

The only one that can make this choice is you.

I've worked the non-union side of ironwork, pipefitting, and pipe welding (and instrument fitting and duct fitting and millwright-mechanic and, and...) and I find every aspect of the trades to be interesting.

I have to admit, I had a great deal of fun on the ironwork side, walking iron 150' in the air, and making things happen with a beater, a sleever bar, a pair of bull-pins and some spuds, but in the long run, the money's better in pipe.

It's a toss-up. You won't have the opportunity I did to explore several trades if you go the union route, so go with your heart... Pick the one you enjoy the most. There's nothing better than laughing at the idiots crying about Monday when you showed up to do what you love.

Steve S

[quote="Otto Nobedder"]I've worked the non-union side of ironwork, pipefitting, and pipe welding (and instrument fitting and duct fitting and millwright-mechanic and, and...) and I find every aspect of the trades to be interesting.

I have to admit, I had a great deal of fun on the ironwork side, walking iron 150' in the air, and making things happen with a beater, a sleever bar, a pair of bull-pins and some spuds, but in the long run, the money's better in pipe.

It's a toss-up. You won't have the opportunity I did to explore several trades if you go the union route, so go with your heart... Pick the one you enjoy the most. There's nothing better than laughing at the idiots crying about Monday when you showed up to do what you love.

Steve S[
It sounds like youve had a fun career, thanks for the input. Would you say pipe guys are better welders in general? I realize you're gonna have good and bad welders in both trades, but it seems like the fitters have a more technical program.

fitter33,

I can't answer that, because I've not gone through it,

I will tell you a talented fitter knows WAY more math than the best welder.

Welding has far more "technique", where fitting has far more "theory" Welding is "finesse", fitting is "facts".

Each has to be at their best to make a kick-ass team.

Steve S