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re: Will be a boilermaker helper. Would like some tips/advice and what I'll be doing.

Posted on 1/20/24 at 12:48 pm to
Posted by supatigah
CEO of the Keith Hernandez Fan Club
Member since Mar 2004
87520 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 12:48 pm to
Posted by elprez00
Hammond, LA
Member since Sep 2011
29429 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 12:52 pm to
- prepare thy anus. Leave your feelings at the gate.
- ask your gf questions about the craft and make it clear you want to learn
- you’re going to do shite jobs. Do them well.

Look, union craftsmen aren’t stupid. The number of people willing to learn a trade is dwindling. If you show you’re willing to work and show an interest, they’re going to help you. Are you going to go to apprenticeship school?
Posted by Fachie
Magnolia
Member since Mar 2017
449 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 12:54 pm to
I know what's in the chemical plants and refineries. Boilermaker, as a craft, as it's in your mind isn't the thing it used to be. Walk on a job now, proclaim to be a boilermaker and you'll spend your life bolting up flanges classified as a Helper B.

Posted by BigBinBR
Baton Rouge
Member since Mar 2023
4333 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 12:55 pm to
quote:

Show up every day, don't be late, don't get hurt, have a good attitude. Do that, and you'll be a foreman in no time.


Honestly, you could pick any 2 of these 4 and probably make foreman.
Posted by Giantkiller
the internet.
Member since Sep 2007
20450 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 12:57 pm to
quote:

Would like some tips/advice and what I'll be doing.


Sitting around doing nothing during rainouts, signing JSA’s, hiding from the safety man, etc. When someone tells you need to join the union, don’t listen to them. It’s a trap.
Posted by TigerintheNO
New Orleans
Member since Jan 2004
41234 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 12:58 pm to
quote:

ou’ll pour the whiskey shot to be dropped into the beer.


originated in Butte Montana in 1890, was originally called a Sean O'Farrell
Posted by elprez00
Hammond, LA
Member since Sep 2011
29429 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 12:58 pm to
quote:

Boilermaker, as a craft, as it's in your mind isn't the thing it used to be.

Plenty of boilermaker work in power plants.
Posted by notiger1997
Metairie
Member since May 2009
58268 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 1:01 pm to
quote:

Fachie


Call it what you want. The skills for this job label are in high demand in south La and southeast Texas refineries and chemical plants.
Posted by soccerfüt
Location: A Series of Tubes
Member since May 2013
65887 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 1:15 pm to
quote:

boilermaker helper
RIP Pete

Posted by Sheesh125
Member since Nov 2012
102 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 1:31 pm to
Is it new construction, or turnaround? What company are you working for? Boilermaker could range from actually working on boilers/exchangers to unbolting/bolting up piping, installing blinds, replacing gaskets. Likely be using chainfalls and come-a-longs, metabo saws, impact wrenches. Rigging piping and signaling crane operators. Obviously the boilermaker(s) that you’re helping should be doing all of this and training you. Try and learn what size wrench goes with what size stud, and what size stud goes in what size flange. Learn the steps of the process and have the next tool ready when it’s time. I enjoyed my time as a pipe-fitter boilermaker, but I am in operations now.
Posted by lepdagod
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2015
3442 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 1:35 pm to
quote:

Honestly, you could pick any 2 of these 4 and probably make foreman.


I know in the construction trade ... showing up everyday and not getting hurt will suffice
Posted by rickyh
Positiger Nation
Member since Dec 2003
12467 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 1:38 pm to
It won't be anything that you can't handle. There will be people working with you who will tell you what to do. You should sleep good at night. Stay safe!
Posted by SirWinston
PNW
Member since Jul 2014
82220 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 1:39 pm to
Posted by hwyman108
Member since Nov 2016
1582 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 1:43 pm to
You ever been to Kansas City?
Posted by Koach K
Member since Nov 2016
4115 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 1:44 pm to
quote:

the "left handed socket set" joke


How insecure and retarded do you have to be to do this to someone new or younger?
Posted by Shanegolang
Denham Springs, La
Member since Sep 2015
3528 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 1:46 pm to
Posted by BillyMadison
Louisiana
Member since Jan 2023
185 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 1:48 pm to
Lots and lots of never-seez. Do not wear gloves and try to get it on everything that you wear. It washes right out.
Posted by GeauxTigers0107
South Louisiana
Member since Oct 2009
9762 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 1:53 pm to
quote:

Probably frickin with a lot of pipe insulation and bolting/unbolting flanges, valves and other stuff.


Insulators remove/install insulation. That's not this guys craft. The rest is correct.

quote:

Boilermaker could range from actually working on boilers/exchangers


Again, this is a specific craft that specialist companies will come in and do.

quote:

unbolting/bolting up piping, installing blinds, replacing gaskets. Likely be using chainfalls and come-a-longs, metabo saws, impact wrenches.


This is correct minus the metabo work. Only specifically trained journeymen use metabo's and it's an act of congress to get approval to do so.

quote:

Try and learn what size wrench goes with what size stud, and what size stud goes in what size flange. Learn the steps of the process and have the next tool ready when it’s time.


Good advice. I would add, learn their lockout/tag out policy and follow it to the letter. Make them show you that a line is empty by way of an open drain valve or an open flange before loosening the first nut. Always break the bolt furthest away from you first and do it slowly. This applies to removing existing piping. New installation is different.

eta: your best ability will be availability. Show up. If you're 10 minutes early, you're on time. If you're on time, you're late.
This post was edited on 1/20/24 at 1:56 pm
Posted by JoseVargasTX
Heath, TX
Member since Sep 2011
719 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 1:59 pm to
Are you in staffing? I own a company based in Texas.
Posted by Trash_Panda
TN
Member since Jun 2023
89 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 2:02 pm to
quote:

Also.... Be curious, ask questions, show willingness to learn. When ya'll are standing around waiting to start work, don't just play with yourself. Clean up and see what other work needs to be done other than just the stuff your lead points out for your to specifically do. Have a good attitude and ask for extra work when available. I'm sure after a while they will be willing to send you to training to advance in the job.


This plus the safety side of things. You’ll do fine. Mouth shut, ears open, and learn. And keep the cell phone put away.
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