Trade Education

vansomeren

I will be entering into an apprentiship program in about a year or so (finishing up my obligation with the Army), and I wanted to try to give myself a leg up before I actually enter into training.

I'll be going into carpentry, with an end goal of being a GC.

Are there any books on the market that I could study independantly to give myself a bit of a head start on the apprentiship?

I know that reading about the work, and actually learning with hands-on are two completely different animals, but I'm trying to be a proactive with this.

Currently I'm studying "Carpentry, Fourth Edition" by Flyod Vogt.

Suggestions?

K2

Read these and other construction forums with the goal of learning one or two things every day. Thats what I do with the electrical forums and it seems to help. Good luck, thanks for serving.

bujaly

I was actually going to suggest the exact book you are reading. Before i finished reading your posts, I had looked up at my carpentry book so I had the name and BAM!! You already got it! It's a great read. I found that if you just follow the principles of what they are teaching and not the "how to" you should be fine!
Good luck

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vansomeren

Great! Glad to hear that I'm already on the right track. Thanks for the feedback.

Any additional books would be great as I am nearly done studying this one. Any other suggestions from the experts?

Tinstaafl

Hopefully, when the time comes, you'll get teamed up with someone who isn't too production-oriented to give you some personal mentoring. One thing that would definitely give you a leg up would be to get a couple of code books and learn them inside out.

vansomeren

Great idea!

I'll definately look into the code books. Unfortunately, the internet is the only place I can 'shop around' right now as I'm out in the dustbowl. Hopefully I'll be able to find some currrent code books online that will ship to me. Otherwise, I'll just have to stay patient til I get back home.

Thanks again for your input!

nEighter

classes at the jr. college would do you wonders, get the GI Bill to pay that shrt and you will be golden. I took 2008 elec code last semister ( I am in the program for electrical though..) and it taught me more than I can actually comprehend.. ALOT of info. But seriously get into a program at a jr. college near you and do the 2 yrs or whatever to get it and do it right. Oh and nothing beats getting into the field and doing it the hard learned way.

vansomeren

The Army actually offers a pretty good program for entering trade skills. It's called "Helmets to Hardhats". It gives you immediate placement into an apprentiship program in whatever trade you desire to learn.

I don't know if anyone has had any experience with that program. Maybe I'll start a new thread to put out some feelers.

The Carpenter's Union in Alaska seems like it's a pretty good set up. I've done a little reading up on it. They offer classroom instruction as well on hands on time. And from what I understand, the GI Bill will pay for all my classroom expenses, though I have to look into that a little bit more. (You can only work on projects for so long in AK. Lack of sunlight....freezing cold temperatures....foot upon foot of snow....etc.) Not to meantion they deal a lot with specific AK needs for building. (Kinda hard to dig deep enough to pour footers when building on permafrost) Anyway, I can't wait to get started on it all.

Home Work Pro

I started with Audel's carpenty and builders books.
Lots of good info
Brian

rustyjames

Check your local Community College and see what they offer.

katoman

Always glad to see new blood entering the trades. Check out www. leevalley.com - to to books, instructional/reference, "Construction Geometry" by Brian Walmsley. This will serve you well all your days. Teaches geometry for carpentry that you will need to know on site. Everything from the simple square, rectangle, etc. to some very advanced stuff. Best of luck!

naptown CR

Check out Alfred state colege in New York They have a building construction program which will give you a very well rounded and I mean VERY good base in a number of skills in the building trades. It is a 2 year hands on program that qualifies for the GI bill and you will learn a LOT. You will at least learn which of the trades you like best as you will be exposed to all of them except MEP which are specialties and require their own programs. Thanks for your service and good luck

vansomeren

Thanks for the great feedback everyone!

I'm definately looking into the Audel's series of books. They have quite a few on carpentry and building! I just ordered one off amazon. Can't wait til it gets here to check it out.

I also checked out the "Construction Geometry". The website only shows you a look into the fourth chapter or so. It looks pretty intense! I'll be ordering that one shortly as well.

As far as Alfred State College is concerned, it certainly looks like an impressive program. One that I'm sure would be beneficial. Unfortunately, I have other obligations (read: wife) that is against relocating.

sparehair

By thinking and studying ahead I think everyone here would agree that there is no doubt you will accomplish any goal you set your mind to.