Welcome to the forum. Although you can post in any forum, the USA forum is here in case of local regs or laws
Caulking Irons
- Thread starter nicro3
- Start date
View the thread, titled "Caulking Irons" which is posted in UK Plumbers Forums on UK Plumbers Forums.
. Maybe . . 😀 ?
No thanks, Still got mine too!
Where would you use them in Plumbing?
Caulking Joints.
Cast iron Soil pipes, stone gutter caulking, cast heating pipes, to name a few.
Not used much today and I don't think they teach it anymore in Plumbing courses? Someone told me not long ago that they stopped teaching lead burning at college but not sure if that's true.
Maybe Plumbers are no longer Plumbers?
Thank you Reg Man I just couldn't remember the name of the place, "Thames Bank". I was sent up there on the tube from a site in the City to collect a 6"x4" chamber, they were the days, can you imagine them letting a 16year old do that now, let alone allowing you on the train with it.
It is all Time Saver & Ensign or Electro Fusion HDPE now, none of which are in the Plumbing course nowadays let alone Chaulking a joint with molten lead can you imagine writing the RAM's for that one!!!.
I am also sorry to say Last that lead & lead welding went out of the course about 5 or 6years ago.
Last edited:
Really? No chimney flashing, lead burning, bossing, caulking etc?
Wow!
So it is, alas, true. They are Plumbers no longer. 🙁. A sad day!!
So here begs the question. The folk who carry out ornamental lead-work, or replace, install, repair lead on buildings are now the only Plumbers? Or are they specialist roofers?
You're right about the RAM's too. We had an apprentice a few years ago and I think the first 16 weeks at college he did was mainly health and safety if my memory serves me right. By the time he arrived on site, there was nothing he could do!! He also questioned everything we did do! Carrying molten lead up a wooden ladder would take him weeks to get over! 😱............😆
Stuff of nightmares that!!!
It's true that leadwork is no longer on the course. I started my apprenticeship in 2006 and was one of the last cohorts to do sheet metal work including lead. Now I work at that same trade school as workshop technician. Fortunately we kept all the gear so if any employer wants their apprentice to learn lead welding and dressing, we find the time and teach as much as we can. We just call it an "Extension activity" and we teach them as much as we can over a few weeks or months, slotting in lessons where we can. It's better than nothing and whilst there is no qualification for it now, some of the employers are pleased we've kept it going. Most aren't interested sadly.
I have "Sheet metal fabrication" on my indentures which no longer appears on their final qualifications paperwork but at least they get the chance to learn if the employer wishes. I would hope that other colleges do the same to keep it alive within the trade.
I have "Sheet metal fabrication" on my indentures which no longer appears on their final qualifications paperwork but at least they get the chance to learn if the employer wishes. I would hope that other colleges do the same to keep it alive within the trade.
Anything is better than the 3 or 5 days course which are being offered because no one will pay to do more nowadays.
Same sort of thing as Plumbing, how long do they think it actually takes to learn these trade skills ??
"God I am getting old"
Official Sponsors of Plumbers Talk
Reply to the thread, titled "Caulking Irons" which is posted in UK Plumbers Forums on Plumbers Forums.
Similar plumbing topics
- Question
We recommend City Plumbing Supplies, BES, and Plumbing Superstore for all plumbing supplies.
