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Posted: 5/25/2007 11:51:24 PM EDT
So... What do you do in the trades? Welder, plumber, carpenter, electrician, HVAC, auto repair??? Who are you and tell us your story.

I am trying yo get a list together so other ARFCOMers can see who to turn to with questions on home/auto/business repair. If you are not willing to lend a hand maybe you should think about not posting.

As for me....

I am a commercial HVAC service tech for a large company in Columbus Ohio. My strengths are boilers and oil heating, I also deal in all aspects of residential and commercial heating and cooling. I have been in the HVAC trade for 11 years this summer and have a pretty well rounded experience dealing with everything from 1 1/2 ton split A/C systems to 120ton chillers. I have access to any and all info that I don't know off the top of my head by means of tech support for all major brands of HVAC equipment.

If you have any questions please feel free to IM me.

So how about the rest of you wrenchers?
Link Posted: 5/25/2007 11:53:01 PM EDT
[Last Edit: ZW17] [#1]
Edited.

~ZW17
Link Posted: 5/25/2007 11:57:50 PM EDT
[#2]
Electrician - commercial type.

I don't do houses.

Been running 3" pipe for the last week and a half.  I can play a table bender like a fine concerto...
Link Posted: 5/26/2007 2:37:46 PM EDT
[#3]
Appliance repair and istall.
Link Posted: 5/26/2007 10:02:58 PM EDT
[#4]
welder. custom ornmental railings and stairs. but can weld anything
Link Posted: 5/26/2007 10:21:51 PM EDT
[#5]
Window covering and Plantation shutters. We also do tile,carpet and granite. Retired FF I own my company and showroom. 11 employees if they all show up for morning muster.
Link Posted: 5/26/2007 10:31:43 PM EDT
[#6]
Link Posted: 5/27/2007 9:01:09 AM EDT
[#7]
Commercial/residential HVAC 25 years.............I'm getting to old for this shit
Link Posted: 5/27/2007 9:31:11 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Delta] [#8]
Master Electrician  in Industrial, and Commercial.  Do house electrical to earn extra gun money.

Critical Systems Manager for a Enterprise Data Center


Link Posted: 5/27/2007 9:59:38 AM EDT
[#9]
Licensed Master Plumber for 15 years and Electrician for 10.
I own a Plumbing and Pump Service company for the last 15 years.
We also own some excavation equipment and build a few houses over the years.
Link Posted: 5/27/2007 10:02:38 AM EDT
[#10]
2nd class stationary engineer.  work in power generation.
Link Posted: 5/27/2007 11:24:43 AM EDT
[#11]
I'm a Ford Certified Master Technician at a Lincoln-Mercury and Isuzu dealership in Columbus, Georgia.  I've been working on cars professionally and otherwise for about ten years now, six of those at the dealer.  I've worked in general service at a Firestone store for about a year, and I busted tires and installed batteries at a Sears Tire Center in high school.

I primarily specialize in electrical and engine performance/driveability, but I also service and repair everything else from bumper to bumper - base engine, suspension, brakes, a little bit of transmission and driveline.  I'm ASE Master Certified with an L1 Advanced Engine Performance certification.  I have a spattering of other Ford certifications as well, NVH, CFT30 CVT trans, hybrid Escape/Mariner, and a couple others I'm forgetting right now.  It's not really an official certification either, but I've got a ton of wrench time on the LS, both V6 and V8, and Navigators/Expeditions/F150s, I can practically diagnose them in my sleep.

I have a couple of Isuzu light truck/SUV certifications as well.  Electrical systems, 6V-series engine diagnosis and repair.  While I specialize in Fords, I know a bit about all of them, and what I don't know, I can find out about from friends who work at other dealers in town.
Link Posted: 5/27/2007 11:33:18 AM EDT
[#12]

I can play a table bender like a fine concerto...


You, sir, are definitely in a shrinking minority. I've played that tune before, also.   An electrician since '78. Custom cabinetry paid the bills a few times, also.
Gummint sparky/LEO since '90.

Stay safe
Link Posted: 5/27/2007 11:35:44 AM EDT
[Last Edit: panzersergeant] [#13]
Automotive repair industry, 25 years experience. ASE certified and worked at all levels up to and including managing a shop.

About a week ago I suggested creating an "ask an expert" forum over at the "suggestions" forum.

No replies.

Link to suggestion forum.
Link Posted: 5/27/2007 11:43:51 AM EDT
[#14]
Bricklayer/Welder 15yrs
mainly work in high-rise restoration in Chicago
would love to leave this area someday for some good old country livin.
Link Posted: 5/27/2007 4:36:08 PM EDT
[#15]
Licensed roofing contractor,Installing residential and comercial systems for the last 13 years.
Link Posted: 5/27/2007 4:41:11 PM EDT
[#16]
Welder 15 years military contractor stuff
Link Posted: 5/27/2007 7:59:37 PM EDT
[#17]

Originally Posted By panzersergeant:
Automotive repair industry, 25 years experience. ASE certified and worked at all levels up to and including managing a shop.

About a week ago I suggested creating an "ask an expert" forum over at the "suggestions" forum.

No replies.

Link to suggestion forum.


Humm... Good idea. I was hoping that this thread will allow people to be able to ask the right people questions to a specific issue. I will be putting together a list of who does what so it will be easy to find the right person.
Link Posted: 5/27/2007 8:21:14 PM EDT
[#18]
Commercial/Industrial Electrician. Currently working as data center plant operations. I don't do much residential but will help out friends and family.
Link Posted: 5/27/2007 9:13:43 PM EDT
[#19]

Originally Posted By ZW17:

Originally Posted By panzersergeant:
Automotive repair industry, 25 years experience. ASE certified and worked at all levels up to and including managing a shop.

About a week ago I suggested creating an "ask an expert" forum over at the "suggestions" forum.

No replies.

Link to suggestion forum.


Humm... Good idea. I was hoping that this thread will allow people to be able to ask the right people questions to a specific issue. I will be putting together a list of who does what so it will be easy to find the right person.


I'd be willing to offer any help I can. Our main business is service and we work on common/not so common plumbing and electric problems everyday. We are professionals in the industry and also handle 3 national Home Warranty Companies in our 50 mile radius.
Link Posted: 5/27/2007 9:29:22 PM EDT
[#20]
I've being doing carpentry off and on for awhile to pay the bills, mostly finish carpentry (80% of the time it's molding & trim).
Link Posted: 5/27/2007 9:57:30 PM EDT
[#21]
Flooring (Hardwood, carpet, tile, etc). 20 yrs.
Link Posted: 5/27/2007 10:29:57 PM EDT
[#22]
23 years as a machinist. I did go to school for the cnc programming, but have worked manual machines almost the whole time. Mostly engine lathe work for the last eight years. Metric stuff, lots of threading and bearing fits.
 I'M SICK TO DEATH OF IT, but will happily answer any questions I can.
Link Posted: 5/27/2007 10:57:54 PM EDT
[#23]
currently--Boat mechanic (Merc/Mercruiser mainly)
past--auto mechanic since I took the washer apart when I was 3!
        2-way radio/pager technician 2 years
        salesman for a major high-performance auto parts distributor 2years

I consider myself as a mechanic first (been wrenching for 25 years)
turned to boats because I like the water (grew up on the water)
and they seemed easier to work on at first. Outboards are nice, you can touch every part on them easily...sterndrives/inboards (why did they put that oil filter waayyy down there?)
feel free to IM me if anyone has any questions about thier boat.
Link Posted: 5/28/2007 12:08:15 AM EDT
[#24]
I fix commercial kitchen equipment. Everything from a bar blender you can carry under your arm- to bakery ovens big enough to walk into. Plenty of electrical troubleshooting- single and three phase, plumbing and mechanics. I also do in field stainless steel welding and finishing.
Link Posted: 5/28/2007 6:28:10 PM EDT
[#25]
I am a service tech/testing tech/parts sales/tech support/and or maintenance guy for a custom commericial/industrial heating and air conditioning manufacturer.  

troy
Link Posted: 5/29/2007 12:33:54 AM EDT
[#26]
Millwright with Ford Motor for 9 years.
Industrial mechanic for those unfamiliar.
There is also a fair amount of welding/steelfab involved.
We get into some plant layout on new installs but are steadily losing more of this to contractors.
Be glad to help if needed.
Link Posted: 5/29/2007 3:19:06 AM EDT
[Last Edit: swgaboy] [#27]
autobody refinisher. Work at All Star International, Transpower, and Interstate National Leasing. worked on semi-trucks and trailers Have worked on International, Ford, Mack And kenworth . sprayed base and clear and single stage paints anything from PPG to Dupont.
Link Posted: 5/29/2007 11:50:36 AM EDT
[#28]
Link Posted: 5/29/2007 11:59:25 AM EDT
[#29]
Link Posted: 5/29/2007 12:07:22 PM EDT
[#30]
Link Posted: 5/29/2007 2:16:43 PM EDT
[#31]
Link Posted: 5/29/2007 4:16:23 PM EDT
[#32]

Originally Posted By Striker:

Originally Posted By SP1Grrl:
I don't know if an Ask the Expert forum will be created, but great idea on starting this thread.  I'm going to ask get my pet  staff flunkie to tack it.











Thanks Striker. I found out over the weekend that I will be the new mod in this forum. Tacking this thread was the 1st thing I was going to do. I will now have to un-tack it and re-tack it to feel important.
Link Posted: 5/29/2007 4:42:51 PM EDT
[#33]
Managed a paint business. I can tell you anything you want to know from application down to rough figures of the chemical composition as an industry or we can break it down into brands.

I also have experience in landscaping, plumbing, and framing but they are more difficult for me.  
Link Posted: 5/29/2007 4:59:38 PM EDT
[#34]
Auto mechanic for about 17 years.....self employed for last 11 years...until i find a new business to buy or start
Link Posted: 5/29/2007 7:44:45 PM EDT
[#35]
Most of my family work(ed) some type of trade.  My father is a semi-retired Electrical Contractor so I pretty much grew up working everything from electrical, plumbing, HVAC, pipefitter (heavy equip operator), masonry, to general labor building homes.  I have been officially out of the business for 18 years but still made extra money on the side helping to build homes.   I am currently building my own home so side jobs are at a minimum.  Just no time for them.  When I do retire, I plan on building homes on property owned by the family.  Should keep me busy.
Link Posted: 5/31/2007 7:09:59 PM EDT
[#36]
Electrician 25 years. (Commercial only)
Specializing in HID (High Intensity Discharge) lighting.  
Work for a municipality here in AZ
Learning
Link Posted: 6/1/2007 7:52:43 PM EDT
[#37]
glazier, also a bonded locksmith.
Link Posted: 6/1/2007 9:58:22 PM EDT
[Last Edit: snakeshooter1] [#38]
hvac residential side but deal mainly with gas furnaces and stuff , few heat pumps  i work with a propane company. 17 years Master Gas Fitter, journeyman plumber
Link Posted: 6/1/2007 10:11:16 PM EDT
[#39]
Interior and Furniture Designer/Fabricator (mostly wood projects)
Link Posted: 6/1/2007 10:25:20 PM EDT
[#40]
prototype machinist at a national lab
Link Posted: 6/4/2007 7:35:19 PM EDT
[#41]
I've got a small machine/fab shop in Elyria OH.  I would be happy to answer any questions I can about machining, welding or fabricating.  If I don't know, I won't give you a B.S. answer.  I've learned a lot from some of the people around here, and I would be happy to help any way I can.

This thread was a good idea.
Link Posted: 6/4/2007 8:04:40 PM EDT
[#42]
im a cable tv installer, does that count?
Link Posted: 6/7/2007 11:36:49 PM EDT
[#43]

Originally Posted By gengomerpyle:
im a cable tv installer, does that count?


Does to me!
Learning
Link Posted: 6/7/2007 11:52:42 PM EDT
[#44]
Twenty-two years in the IBEW as an inside wireman.

That's "electrician".

"We loose sleep so you don't have to."
Link Posted: 6/8/2007 12:07:43 AM EDT
[#45]
Ex chef, did an apprenticeship 25 years ago
for Hanz and Franz. The last 8 years a meat
department manager for piggly wiggly, 1st shift
so I can be home with the family.
Link Posted: 6/8/2007 8:33:11 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Backstop] [#46]

Originally Posted By sparky923:
Twenty-two years in the IBEW as an inside wireman.


If you ever get down to San Antonio, stop by IBEW Local 60 and look me up.  

Just send me an IM.
Link Posted: 6/8/2007 8:39:33 PM EDT
[#47]
Locksmith in NYC for years. Have my own shop, 3 trucks, and a shit load of headaches But i love every minute of it!!  
Link Posted: 6/8/2007 9:03:51 PM EDT
[#48]
This and that.
Link Posted: 6/9/2007 1:02:42 PM EDT
[#49]
Aerospace Defense Recruiting Consultant/ Mechanical Engineer/Mom/wifey/shoooter
Not in that order all the time
Link Posted: 6/9/2007 1:30:59 PM EDT
[Last Edit: ProfGAB101] [#50]
Certified Weldor
CNC Systems programer
Tool & Die maker / repair
PC technical support specialist.

Got my Welding Cert (MIG, TIG, GMAW, Flux-core, and Oxy-Acetylene) and worked in that field while continuing college to complete my AS degrees in Metalurgy, Machine technologies, and Manufacturing Automation.

Most of the work I have done in the last 25 yrs has been as a machinist, both manual and CNC.

I also do machinery repair and got into the electronics end, which led me to being hired by a major U.S. Computer corp working in Warranty hardware/software tech support. I enjoyed that "clean" job for 3 years until that facility was closed and outsourced overseas.

I am back in the trade again as a CNC setup lead also programming robots and building custom tooling. This job is suicide by timeclock - I'm often doing 5x12's or even 6x12's but 15% goes into the 401K plus some matching funds from the company.



I'd love to go semi-retired at 55, I can dream.
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