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Post by rocketmanbkk on Apr 30, 2017 13:15:14 GMT
So, I'm doing a l3 gas course starting September
I've got little experience on boilers.
My mates a gas man & fixes & installs boilers, he can fault find etc., change parts
So, I was going to ask him if I can have or buy a boiler he's taken out so I can practice removing parts & putting them back etc. to familiarise myself on what parts look like what & where they go
It one of those things for me again in that I need confidence & if I can build a wooden jig to hang a boiler or 2 on I can mess about
What do you think?
My other question is, all these boilers, say combis as an example, are they all much the same when you've got the case off?
Happy bank holiday weekend all
Rct
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Post by battle1066 on Apr 30, 2017 14:41:16 GMT
You should do all you need to do to make you feel confident and anxiety free Rocket. As for the boilers your local scrap yard will get plenty so keep them in mind, cause you'll get the same price back as what you paid for them, if you're buying them as scrap.  |
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Post by rocketmanbkk on Apr 30, 2017 14:47:40 GMT
Yeah, I think my mate will probably give me them for free. I'm only looking for a combi & system boiler. Just think it'd be good to have a go.
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Post by tomplum on Apr 30, 2017 15:04:33 GMT
Hi Rocky happy Bank hol, Each boiler is differant, there are as many types of boiler as there are makes and models of cars,They all work in the same principle but the parts,assembly and arragement vary even on the same boiler, the makers are forever upgrading parts so even a veteran boilerman does not know everything, Thats why plumbers tend to only go to jobs where they know the boiler in question,
Starting out fixing boilers will be a nightmare, Because when you open the boiler part sealed box,,Its yours, the spares shop will not take it back, so on an average boiler part of £100 and the chances of using that again is slim so you just lost £100,
I'm not trying to put you off Rocky but to fix boilers is a specialist job, It would be better to get a job with BG, they'll give you training then put you on the road servicing boilers, So you'll learn from servicing the differant types and when one goes wrong, you'll have the back up of supervisors to advice you so you're not just changing parts, But be warned, no one stops at BG for long, they're shit to work for and demand lots from you in exchange for the cost of training,
Its not an easy road rocky but if you want it, thats what you're up against qwerty
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Post by rocketmanbkk on Apr 30, 2017 15:21:38 GMT
Just looking at my options Tom
All knowledge is good
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Post by rocketmanbkk on Apr 30, 2017 18:08:58 GMT
I was thinking of maybe trying to get a job as an engineer, get some training,do the minimum & deck off. It's an option
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Post by tomplum on Apr 30, 2017 18:26:45 GMT
Why not phone BG, they take trainees on sometimes, that way they'll pay all the costs of ACS, you'll have to eat some shit for a while, but it might be worthwhile, Once you get the tickets and a bit of experiamce, the world is your oyster,  |
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Post by rocketmanbkk on Apr 30, 2017 19:55:57 GMT
I'll have a look
Can't do anything until mid October though but then I'm fully going for it. Something might come up. If not, nothing lost.
Cheers Tom
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Post by crowsfoot on May 1, 2017 7:32:46 GMT
You could also try one of the independents like www.suregroup.co.uk/ . www.liberty-group.co.uk/I know these are northern groups but they have recently opened office in the London area. They do a lot of servicing for large housing associations (certification etc.') . A miserable collection of moaning employees work there mind you (probably with good reason)! Tappy |
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Post by crowsfoot on May 1, 2017 8:09:17 GMT
Hi Rocky happy Bank hol, Each boiler is differant, there are as many types of boiler as there are makes and models of cars,They all work in the same principle but the parts,assembly and arragement vary even on the same boiler, the makers are forever upgrading parts so even a veteran boilerman does not know everything, Thats why plumbers tend to only go to jobs where they know the boiler in question, Starting out fixing boilers will be a nightmare, Because when you open the boiler part sealed box,,Its yours, the spares shop will not take it back, so on an average boiler part of £100 and the chances of using that again is slim so you just lost £100, 12 years ago I had a adult fast-track course trainee (ex mechanic from a small family owned garage) and he said that they packed it in because everyday someone would come in with a problem that they didn't really know what it was for sure, they ordered a part, opened it up, and it didn't fix it. They was then left with the car part? They couldn't charge the customer because it hadn't fixed the car and they couldn't return it because the package had been opened. |
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Post by endfeed on May 1, 2017 8:47:08 GMT
I can remember a lad I went to college with he was a textile worker,but took to plumbing like a duck to water. He got in with a gas lad and went on to do his gas,he is now self employed fitting combi's and repairs. I did a combi fit with him few years ago and he rang his mate alot but still did the job very well...with the support of your gas man and this forum rocky id be tempted to go for it
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Post by rocketmanbkk on May 1, 2017 9:43:03 GMT
It's just all practice chaps like anything if you do it enough you'll become competent
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Post by jcplumb on May 1, 2017 11:15:13 GMT
I have a mate in the same boat, so he just does installs/boiler swaps. He scraps the old boilers, but I suppose if you just did swaps then every job would give you an old boiler to play with while you find your way around the different internals.
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Post by Plumberboy on May 1, 2017 11:22:21 GMT
It's just all practice chaps like anything if you do it enough you'll become competent We all work and learn differently rocky and we all learn at different speeds and levels,,,you do what ever you feel is the best learning aid for yourself but like Tom said there are so many boilers out there its a mine field, I actually find most heating failures aren't the boiler so you also need to get good experience on different systems there layout and what with UFH now days it gets more complicated. One piece of advice I would give you is learn to understand the wiring and how port valves work, especially the three port valve as many engineers out there still don't fully understand how it works but they know how to swap one over. KNOWLEDGE IS KEY,,,MASTER ONE SYSTEM AND THE DOOR OPENS FOR THE NEXT... PS....most heating engineers can't actually plumb.  |
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Post by rocketmanbkk on May 1, 2017 11:51:26 GMT
Definitely PB
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