viper78978 Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 Looking to get into trades and thinking either sheet metal or metal fabrication? Which one is lighter and easier to learn the trade? I went into session for refrigation tech and it seems more difficult to learn than sheet metal. Math involved since it's electrical component. Refrigation are very technical these days with technology Also electrical scares me can get killed shocked With metal you just get cuts lol Plumbing ok but dirty and gets heavy I hear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RRypien37 Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 Which ever one you would actually enjoy doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingofsurrey Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 27 minutes ago, viper78978 said: Looking to get into trades and thinking either sheet metal or metal fabrication? Which one is lighter and easier to learn the trade? I went into session for refrigation tech and it seems more difficult to learn than sheet metal. Math involved since it's electrical component. Refrigation are very technical these days with technology Also electrical scares me can get killed shocked With metal you just get cuts lol Plumbing ok but dirty and gets heavy I hear Looks like you are looking into all of them.... Go check out each trades profile on the ITA site. It will break them down by levels 1-4 and show you specific tasks /skills you do in each level...... From ITA website... SHEET METAL WORKER Sheet Metal Workers assemble, install and service an extensive range of heating, air conditioning, roofing, restaurant, and hospital equipment. This includes such things as: ducts, pipes, gutters, cabinets, flashings and supporting devices. Sheet Metal Worker is a nationally designated trade under the Inter-provincial Red Seal program. Sheet Metal Workers also test, balance, and troubleshoot duct systems; and weld, grind and polish metals. They use welding equipment to join sheets of metal and must have knowledge of the specialized welding techniques used for the many different metal alloys they will encounter. Sheet metal fabrication shops, sheet metal product manufacturing companies and sheet metal work contractors all employ Sheet Metal Workers. In some cases, experienced workers set up their own contracting businesses. Jobs in this field are frequently tied to the construction sector, while other Sheet Metal Workers pursue their trade in manufacturing plants. METAL FABRICATOR (FITTER) Metal Fabricators build, assemble and repair products made of steel or other metals for use in a wide variety of manufacturing and construction industries. They must be familiar with the properties of metal and know how to operate specialized metalworking machines. Metal Fabricator is a nationally designated trade under the Inter-provincial Red Seal Program. Metal Fabricators can work for sheet metal fabrication and welding shops, and for manufacturers of structural steel, boilers, plate workers, heavy machinery and transportation equipment. They can work for shipbuilding companies and for welding, ironwork and sheet metal work contractors. Metal fabrication is a good foundational skill to have in many rapidly evolving industries, such as aviation. The work of a Metal Fabricator is often intricate and highly precise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bur14Kes17 Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 35 minutes ago, viper78978 said: Looking to get into trades and thinking either sheet metal or metal fabrication? Which one is lighter and easier to learn the trade? I went into session for refrigation tech and it seems more difficult to learn than sheet metal. Math involved since it's electrical component. Refrigation are very technical these days with technology Also electrical scares me can get killed shocked With metal you just get cuts lol Plumbing ok but dirty and gets heavy I hear Metal fabrication is definitely lighter work but a lot more precise and would involve most math. But it would also pay better and your projects would always been changing. Sheet metal is a lot easier to learn and the math is easier but it does involve more physical labour and I've heard it can get rather mind numbing after a while. Have you ever considered h vac systems? I know those guys get paid pretty decent and the work is more interesting then sheet metal but not as complex as fabrication Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingofsurrey Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 2 minutes ago, Bur14Kes17 said: Metal fabrication is definitely lighter work but a lot more precise and would involve most math. But it would also pay better and your projects would always been changing. Sheet metal is a lot easier to learn and the math is easier but it does involve more physical labour and I've heard it can get rather mind numbing after a while. Have you ever considered h vac systems? I know those guys get paid pretty decent and the work is more interesting then sheet metal but not as complex as fabrication Visit the JARTS hvac school out in surrey. Great school. You can skip the foundations program if you already are a working ITA Hvac apprentice..... Do the foundations though if you are not in the trade - but are looking to get into the trade... I think it gives you foundations ( hands on tool time needed to get a job ) plus your ita level 1. but i think the HVAC ITA exam is pretty tough.... probably need math skills similar to an electrical applicant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhippy Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 You're not big on math but looking in to sheet metal and HVAC fabrication? Metal fab is far easier if math isn't your strong suit. I was an ironworker for years and have experience in both. The "mathmateical" aspect of trades is actually easier than you'd know. In order of need in the future Electrical Plumbing Hvac Metal fabrication The 3 primary trades are electrician, plumber and framer/woodworker. These are trades which can net you a solid amount of cash in side jobs. Metal fabrication or fitting not so much. HVAC is also a solid money maker. The math is not the challenging part though, like at all. The hard part is the work As well with Plumbing/Electrical you have options Industrial, service or new construction. Industrial is a huge money maker, new construction is super clean and just easy run and services...not so much fun but great for income. Now, that being said I hate to say it but if you fear getting dirty, doing the math or working in adverse conditions I am unsure how long you'd last in a trade. Hard work is your money generator because any idiot can be a pack mule but a tradesman is his own business and the moment you decide the job is to hard dirty or technical is the day you cannot afford your bills, or cost your shop $$ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocksterh8 Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 How about sheets? Like changing sheets on a bed... how much does that pay? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viper78978 Posted June 3, 2017 Author Share Posted June 3, 2017 10 minutes ago, Bur14Kes17 said: Metal fabrication is definitely lighter work but a lot more precise and would involve most math. But it would also pay better and your projects would always been changing. Sheet metal is a lot easier to learn and the math is easier but it does involve more physical labour and I've heard it can get rather mind numbing after a while. Have you ever considered h vac systems? I know those guys get paid pretty decent and the work is more interesting then sheet metal but not as complex as fabrication Didn't think metal fabricator be that complex. Isn't it just making things out of metal. I thought sheet metal be lighter as the metal is a sheet. Hvac or refrigeration seems complex as these systems are getting more and more advanced technology wise. It's all digital and lot components and electronic too. It's pretty much like a computer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhippy Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 12 minutes ago, viper78978 said: Didn't think metal fabricator be that complex. Isn't it just making things out of metal. I thought sheet metal be lighter as the metal is a sheet. Hvac or refrigeration seems complex as these systems are getting more and more advanced technology wise. It's all digital and lot components and electronic too. It's pretty much like a computer. No sir. Sheet metal is very very intricate. In fact; I'd actually put the level of intelligence for mathematical application in the upper levels of trades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DollarAndADream Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 I know a bunch of guys who are in metal fab, and from what I hear it's a good gig. It's probably the one I'd rather do. But I hate dealing with sheet metal so I know I wouldn't want to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canorth Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 I got half way through a refrigeration mechanic apprenticeship, before I decided to head back to university. It was a good gig, but spent alot of time on roof tops, which is pretty tough in the winter. We did alot of commercial and industrial installations/maintenance (grocery stores, ice rinks, & industrial HVAC systems). HVAC requires tons sheet metal, so our shop also had a lot of sheet metal mechanics. I wasn't to fond of the little bit of sheet metal work that I was able to do. But it is definitely hard work. Hammering together duct, hauling it up ladders and hanging it overhead, can get old real fast... and sheet metal creeps me out. I was always paranoid about it slipping and slicing my wrists... Refrigeration probably isn't for you if you don't like math, alot of physics too. Although I imagine it will be pretty hard to find a trade that doesn't involve math. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violator Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 2 hours ago, viper78978 said: Looking to get into trades and thinking either sheet metal or metal fabrication? Which one is lighter and easier to learn the trade? I went into session for refrigation tech and it seems more difficult to learn than sheet metal. Math involved since it's electrical component. Refrigation are very technical these days with technology Also electrical scares me can get killed shocked With metal you just get cuts lol Plumbing ok but dirty and gets heavy I hear Just go try both trades for a couple weeks either is not a bad gig the trades unless you go union kind of suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffraff Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 Neither. heavy metal is where it's at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raymond Luxury Yacht Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 7 hours ago, viper78978 said: Looking to get into trades and thinking either sheet metal or metal fabrication? Which one is lighter and easier to learn the trade? I went into session for refrigation tech and it seems more difficult to learn than sheet metal. Math involved since it's electrical component. Refrigation are very technical these days with technology Also electrical scares me can get killed shocked With metal you just get cuts lol Plumbing ok but dirty and gets heavy I hear I echo @RRypien37, do whichever one you think you would enjoy more. There is nothing worse than a trade you have no passion for. You could always focus on one but learn both....and Carpentry. Good Carpenters are always in demand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crabcakes Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 If you don't know what trade if for you. I would recommend vocational testing. It would take your aptitudes and personal preferences and match it to a trade. I would recommend vocational testing to anybody starting a career or who is older and wanting a change. You need a little life experience to get a better result so somebody fresh out of high school would learn less about themselves. It would save you starting something that wouldn't work for you in a couple or 10 years. For example, I went into foods and was working in fine dining restaurants. I loved cooking and the creativity. However, family and kids was important to me. So important that I left the industry. That's the sort of thing that vocational testing can tell you about yourself in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingofsurrey Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 39 minutes ago, Crabcakes said: If you don't know what trade if for you. I would recommend vocational testing. It would take your aptitudes and personal preferences and match it to a trade. Some schools even offer a Trade Discovery Program. Try 15 trades..... to see which one you want to spend 4 years getting your Red Seal on. BCIT The Trades Discovery programs are designed to allow participants extensive access to the available trades and technical training at BCIT campuses. These highly practical and relevant training programs prepare participants to successfully enter and complete trades/technical training or seek apprenticeship. Students gain hands-on experience in approximately 15 different trades disciplines. Some examples of activities are: lay out and fabrication, general piping, framing, welding, wiring and working on mechanical systems in automobiles, aircraft, and heavy equipment. The programs include two weeks of unpaid work experience, partnering education with industry and the community. Students will be trained and certified in the following: HILTI Powder Actuated Tool Lift Truck Operator (forklift training) WCB Occupational First Aid Level One Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS) Trades Explored Students will explore a variety of programs from the following sectors: Construction Mechanical Transportation Manufacturing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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