Original message
| Chiz_Man
 |  "First Year Student"
, posted Fri 10 Oct 12:46:  
Hey everyone,
I recently started my course in HVAC/R. I've been at school for a month now in Nova Scotia, Canada. I just wanted to see if you guys had any suggestions or tips for me while I'm studying, or maybe what to expect when I get out in the field.
As far as tools go, I really have no idea what is good and what is bad. I was wondering if there are basic tools that make lighter work. If anyone has a tool that they really like maybe you'd like to discuss it and let me know what it is you like and why.
So far I'm not sure which direction I'm going to take in the field. I'd also like to know what your suggestions are. Which area is the most interesting for you? Do you like the specific job you have or if you could do it all over would you choose a different route?
Thanks a lot everyone!
Matt
[this message was edited by Chiz_Man on Fri 10 Oct 12:50] |
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| Schock Therapy
| "Re(1):First Year Student" , posted Sat 11 Oct 00:27
The first bit of advice I will offer is this: Do not allow yourself to be slotted into one particular aspect of the trade for your apprenticeship! I have seen far too many apprentices and young journeymen that only know how to install heat pumps and rooftop units. Too many companies use apprentices as cheap labour and neglect their responsibility to actually train them. I worked for a small family run company for the first 7 years of my career, and got exposure to just about every aspect of the trade. That gave me a broad base of experience which continues to serve me well! I am now working for a company that has 50 trucks on the road, but I am on the short list of technicians that can handle just about any service call they can throw at me. Job security baby!
As for tools, it really depends on what you are doing on the job. Most wholesalers around here have starter kits to get apprentices going. Get a decent set of 4 port guages such as yellow Jacket Titans, and make sure you put "enviroguard" self sealing hoses on them. I prefer longer hoses that will allow you to charge a unit in the ceiling space with the tank on the floor. Invest in a good quality multimeter, not a cheap one! Meters are not created equal.(I am partial to Fluke; they cost more but are worth the extra cash IMHO!) Also invest in a good digital thermocouple thermometer. pocket dial thermometers are almost useless. remember, temperature is your business! If you can't measure it accurately you can't do your job accurately!
Before you run out and drop alot of cash on tools, find out what your company offers. Some companies supply all of your tools, others will pay you a tool allowance to use your own.
One last thing: When you start working with a journeyman, don't be content being his "tool bitch". Sure, you will be expected to do a certain amount of that type of thing, but the sooner you prove yourself capable of more the better. Ask questions, and remember the answers. Don't stand around with your hands in your pockets, don't talk or text on your personal phone , (a personal pet peeve of mine!) and keep yourself busy as much as you can. Remember some people want to teach you, and others just want you to do the crap jobs they don't want to do. Gravitate to the teachers!
It's only a shock if your not expecting it!
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| Jojo98
| "Re(1):First Year Student" , posted Fri 10 Oct 23:13
First, get an apprenticeship with a HVAC contractor. School is important, but On-The-Job training under a Jurneyman is priceless. There is an extensive list of tools and test equipment required to be a service technician. Espesially if you go into commerical/industrial side of the craft. As far as name brand it doesn't necessarily have to be Fluke, Yellow Jacket, or Craftsman. A $300 meter breaks just as easily as a $150 meter; don't buy the cheapest nor the most expensive tools, a happy middle is good.
What to expect; expect to be a Journeymans tool bitch, and don't take it personal if you find yourself changing a lot of filters, and washing a lot of condensers in the begining, we all do it.
Residential work is a pain, I hate dealing with the homeowners.
Commericial/Industrial is a pain, I hate dealing with the building managers. I perfer commericial/industrial, everything is bigger.
And ythen you have referigeration.
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| siestavista
| "Re(1):First Year Student" , posted Fri 10 Oct 21:06
good for you. What you need son is a pencil. Math. can't excape it. got to use it. it is the truth. the more you can take notes, reply, and still read your own writting, then you will become a scribe.
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