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Time for everyone to weigh in.......

2

Comments

  • bigugh_4
    bigugh_4 Member Posts: 406
    HUMMMmmmmm~~

    Born in '37. Dad built the home when I was three or so and worked at a P&H supply house. Did his own plumbing. My first toys were a bucket of 1/2" gal. pipe fittings and nipples. Used to do and undo them, but as time went on more got very tough to undo. I remember asking Dad ," how do they get so tight?" He replied that in did not use pipe dope and the damp basement would rust them together. In '41, Dad became a plumber! I started helping him then. I can remember when I could not pull hard enough to thread by hand 1/2" pipe. In high scnool I took a 60" pipe wrench to career day! and wore my coveralls. After school on most days mom would take me to Dad to finish the day out with him. The USAF had me for 4 years and since '59 till '97 I was and am a plumber. Took out my back in '97 and have been disabled since. Got my journeyman lic. in '61. I have taught Voc. School. trained apprentices. just like the rest of you. It has been a lot of fun.
    bigugh (66 yrs old and figure P&H for 42+ years!)

  • Geno_11
    Geno_11 Member Posts: 4
    Reelin' in the years

    Well, I started with my pop as a kid but I only count from 16 because that was when I was told, "no work, no license to drive". I wasn't too happy at first but when I was buying custom cars and vans, yes remember the van craze?, and my friends were walking I saw the "Light"! It made me a better person. This October will be 28 years, I can't believe I said that. Now I'm teaching. And I thought I was going to be a hard rock drummer..........sigh.
  • Andy N._3
    Andy N._3 Member Posts: 11
    born to plumb......

    13 short years. My grandfather is a retired plumber, my father is a plumber. I started my apprenticeship on my 18th birthday (August 20, 1990). I groomed horses through junior high, I worked for a floorcovering company through High School, upon graduating I was lucky enough to start my apprenticeship. Five year apprenticeship here in Illinois. I love this trade. just recovering from my 2nd back surgery in 3 years though. Now I pipe all day and I teach Hydronics at night. Its nice to give something back. I can't think of any job I would rather do.
  • GW
    GW Member Posts: 4,896
    good question

    I've been in the trade full time for 19 years. However, in my opinion someone with 5 years experience could know more than his elders with proper training. many of us contractors are "old school".

    gary

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    Gary Wilson
    Wilson Services, Inc
    Northampton, MA
    gary@wilsonph.com
  • Mad Dog
    Mad Dog Member Posts: 2,595
    Mad Dog's been doin' a stretch

    for 17 years....5 years of college in there too. MD

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  • Bill NTSG
    Bill NTSG Member Posts: 321
    30yrs?

    My dad drove an oil truck when I was two, I rode with him when my little brother was born. Dad became a plumber when I was four. I worked with him almost every week end all my young life. He was the plumber for a builder for over 30 yrs. I worked every summer and week ends and most days after school I would help him pick up the tools.

    In high school I worked changing tires and oil at a couple different garages after school. After I graduated it was plumbing or pipe fitting or oil burner stuff ever since 1974. 29 years. I did a little carpentry [framing] and a little equipment operating but not enough to ever get good at it.
  • David Sutton_3
    David Sutton_3 Member Posts: 160
    is that dog years Mad Dog :)

  • Tim Doran_2
    Tim Doran_2 Member Posts: 131
    Interesting question

    I started out following dear old dad around in the mid 60's, mostly getting under foot I am sure. Once in a while I did manage to find the right fittings or help clean up a litle bit. Spent a good deal of time at the shop putting materials away. 1972 is the first radiant job that I can remember and it was actually a permafrost protection job at a fish packing house. I can still remember painting all of that balck iron pipe with asphault based paint to keep the concrete from reacting with it.
    Took a break in the early 80's. I thought that I wanted to try something different so I spent 4 years as an aviation ordance repair specialist in the Marine Corps.
    After that it was back to the plumbing and heating business. In 1988 I got my master plumbing and master electricians liscense but never never realy made use of them as I always worked for someone.
    In 1997 I jumped ship and went to a wholesaler. Some persistant back and joint problems made it hard to stay out in the field but I could not get away from the business that I love so much. In 2001 I agreed to join the Wirsbo team and I have to say that it is one of the best moves that I have ever made.
    So after a not so short answer I would say that I have been involved in the plumbing and heating industry in one way or another for 25 years or so.

    Tim D.
  • Jim S
    Jim S Member Posts: 82
    18 years

    And only 16 stitches.
  • Richard D.
    Richard D. Member Posts: 32
    Now I feel OLD!!!

    30 + years and still learning!!! Man Now yoiu make me feel!!!!old!!!!! But I am still good looking..LOL @ least to me I am !!LOL Good question..
    Rich from the old timers club
  • Richard D.
    Richard D. Member Posts: 32
    Hey HOT ROD is it

    a 100 years for you???LOL I thankyou for your help in the past and furure............Rich
  • Alan R. Mercurio
    Alan R. Mercurio Member Posts: 588
    Heading into my....

    15th year! and it seems like it was just yesterday that it was "time to make the donuts" :)~

    Your friend & Baker in the industry,

    Alan R. Mercurio

    Oil Tech Talk
  • jerryb
    jerryb Member Posts: 113


    Started in high school in N.Y. 1961. 1962started full time automatic heating,4-45 min periods every day,plus,other subjects.Learned mostly oil fired heating systems.worked part time after school and sat,in aplumb supply house.Graduated 65 first job sept65 4 yrs,airforce heating specialist out in 70,back in trade been in heating to this day,so how many yrs?41?its a longgggg time.
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,839
    I was young then!

    I'm not sure where to start counting from!

    I worked with my dad, a plumber, starting when I was 12 or so, in the western NY area.

    Convinced myself I would never be a plumber for a living!

    Started my first business in 1978, after ski-bumming and working at a few ski resort, as a boiler guy :)

    Sold it to the employees in '94, still going strong!

    Here I sit at a young 50, still putting pipe together in pursuit of the perfect joint. (pipe connection) And still looking for the "perfect vehicle" (motorized transportation devise)

    Hope the next 50 are as much fun.

    hot rod

    ps: I also invented the internet :)



    To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • John Ruhnke1
    John Ruhnke1 Member Posts: 154
    20 years......

    I started my aprenticeship back in 1983.

    JR

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  • Richard D.
    Richard D. Member Posts: 32
    Hey Hot Rod I take

    that Big service van of yours...LOL What a great view from your work place..Best to you and everyone and may see you face to face 1 day...
  • Tony_8
    Tony_8 Member Posts: 608
    passing down

    isn't it something how most guys seem to follow in the old man's footsteps in some way or another, even when avowed not to ? I still weld up all my own wall mount brackets for various equipment. It makes me feel good to do something different but familiar at the same time. Gramps was a millwright, welding instructor, oil field everything who could fix anything and built his own house from the foundation up, including the monoflo heating system. He had me welding stick and gas proficiently at 11. Dumb kid used to argue technique with the shop teacher.(he forgave me and utilized me later) Went to vo-tech @ 17, plumbed a new Post Office as a sub during my Sr year and never looked back. That was 1982. Stick to HVAC/R now, no "glory" in drippy faucets :) Figure on 20 more at least. Still new stuff new learn and try.
  • Riles_3
    Riles_3 Member Posts: 60
    HOTROD, Hey how about Shoes and

    a Helmet.

    Great Picture. (Mvc004f)
  • John@WattsRadiant
    John@WattsRadiant Member Posts: 49
    Radiant since 1992

    Graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering (no, I don't have potect protectors)from University of Missouri-Rolla in 1988; worked for a compressor company for 4 years; went to work for Heatway in 1992; opened a restaurant in 2000; sold the restaurant in 2002; went to work for Watts Radiant.
  • Edward A. Carey
    Edward A. Carey Member Posts: 48
    Years

    32 for me.

    Hard to believe that much time has gone by.

    Regards to all,

    Edward A. (ED) Carey
  • tim smith1
    tim smith1 Member Posts: 26
    21 years

    Started in 1982, still enjoy it also. Tim
  • Dale
    Dale Member Posts: 1,317
    23 now

    Kind of like Timmie, 23 years service training, still learning. Started out in real work 3 days after high school as a helper on an open hearth furnace in a chicago steel mill, worked as a boiler maker helper in that same mill, 9000 people worked there in the late 60's all gone now. A good place to learn about work and working conditions. I wish those hard jobs were still here for the young guys today.
  • Mark Hunt
    Mark Hunt Member Posts: 4,908
    Started in 1981


    as a plumber and moved to HVAC shortly after.

    22 years and counting!!

    Mark H

    To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"
  • Bob Gagnon plumbing and heating
    Bob Gagnon plumbing and heating Member Posts: 1,373
    working years

    i have been working for myself for 23 years, a 3 year apprenticeship before that, and 2 years voke school before that. bob
    To learn more about this professional, click here to visit their ad in Find A Contractor.
  • oilwizard
    oilwizard Member Posts: 46
    16 years

    for me. Started trade school and jumped right in after as a tin knocker. Worked comercial and residential, done a/c heat and refrig, and gas.
    Joe
  • hydronicsmike
    hydronicsmike Member Posts: 855
    Paul,

    did you calculate the latest Stats? Amazing!!
  • Paul Rohrs_2
    Paul Rohrs_2 Member Posts: 171
    Running totals

    56 responses

    1254 years total experience ( Excuse me whilst I genuflect)

    22.39 average years exp.

    Regards

    PR
  • paul lessard_2
    paul lessard_2 Member Posts: 192
    to bend the knee in worship

    genuflect. I had to look that one up.
    add another 15 years .paul lessard..
  • Tom Meyer
    Tom Meyer Member Posts: 300
    15 years hydronics for me

    which explains my grey hair. I'm really only 31. 8-)

    Senior Designer/Trainer
    Precision Hydronics Corporation
    www.precisionhydronics.com
  • Paul Rohrs
    Paul Rohrs Member Posts: 357
    Curiously absent.......?

    > which explains my grey hair. I'm really only 31.

    > 8-)

    >

    > Senior Designer/Trainer Precision

    > Hydronics Corporation www.precisionhydronics.com



  • Paul Rohrs
    Paul Rohrs Member Posts: 357
    Curiously absent.......?

    > which explains my grey hair. I'm really only 31.

    > 8-)

    >

    > Senior Designer/Trainer Precision

    > Hydronics Corporation www.precisionhydronics.com



  • Paul Rohrs
    Paul Rohrs Member Posts: 357
    Curiously Absent?...........

    Dan, where art thou?......

    The Holohan years should lead the charge on this Thread, you have truly inspired thought and expanded minds. If I were a drinking man, I would be raising a glass to you right now.

    Much Regards,

    PR
  • Paul Rohrs
    Paul Rohrs Member Posts: 357
    The realization sets in.....

    I am below average.

    My 15 years has been rewarding, the next 30 should be quite a ride. I look forward to the future.

    PR
  • Nick Leone
    Nick Leone Member Posts: 1
    only 1 year, working many hours

    in central vermont and new hampshire. thanks to the techs who teach us young pups a thing or two.
  • Steve Whitbeck
    Steve Whitbeck Member Posts: 669
    29 years

  • Dave Stroman
    Dave Stroman Member Posts: 766
    31 years for me.

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • mp1969
    mp1969 Member Posts: 225
    Experience

    Started learning plumbing at birth (plumberese was main language in our home) father Master plumber, oldest brother master plumber, second oldest master plumber in 6 states, next oldest sheetmetal and HVAC specialist, then I came along and started my apprenticeship while in high school, now have 35 years experience in the mechanical contracting field,have held up to 4 master licenses at one time but have scaled back to just the Wisconsin license as I now work exclusively in southeast Wisconsin,learning and gaining experience as we post,
    my sister is married to a General contractor and my yougest brother is a pipefitter and refrigeration specialist.
    Formal training is ok but the practical application is where it happens. The people skills gained through experience are invaluable!
    Likes: Ethical hardworking intelligent tradesmen
    Dislikes: Gimmicks, deceptive practices, wannabes and re-inventing the wheel when it does not squeak!

    Great question! Sorry I rambled a bit!

    MP 1969



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  • MikeR_3
    MikeR_3 Member Posts: 43
    Where are the youngsters?

    I don't want to take anything away from what may be the longest thread in history, but where is all the new talent? I have just over a year's worth of experience (Yes, that is ONE (1) year...), and I can't help but wonder if the newer guys are reading this site, but simply not responding, or if they are not aware of this forum at all. (Perhaps "youngsters" is the wrong term, as I am new to the field, but not very "young").
  • Unknown
    Unknown Member
    Nick, I'm from there, too

    Lake Sunapee area, in fact.

    23 years for me.

    Noel
  • Earthfire
    Earthfire Member Posts: 543
    Started in the last century

    Been messin around with pipes and wires since about 1968(when still in high school). Took about 8yrs off during the eighties to drive an 18 wheeler coast to coast. In "88 started pullin' wrenches & twistin' wirenuts again & haven't stopped since. Over the years have worked in 6 different states
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