Newbie HVAC techs, check this resource list for tools and starting out

Stumbled on this old thread in r/HVAC with a bunch of solid resources for folks new to the field, like books on refrigeration cycles and websites for troubleshooting Trane units. Been hiring and training apprentices lately, and man, it's tough finding guys who know their way around a Fieldpiece gauge set without me holding their hand. The list even has tips on must-have tools like the Milwaukee M18 for crimping, which I always recommend, but damn, dropping $250 on one for each newbie adds up quick.

same here, training new guys feels like herding cats sometimes.

frustrated as hell with these kids who think youtube vids make em experts, had one fry a compressor last week bc he skipped superheat check. gonna stick to vets from now on.

yeah, the resource list is gold for basics, but real world hits different.

those lists help, but nothing beats on the job screwups to learn.

ugh, just fired an apprentice who couldnt even read a manifold gauge right.

resources are great, but get em a good multimeter like fluke 117 right away.

hiring is a crapshoot, one good one pays for ten bad hires tho.

had a laugh when a newbie asked if we use chatgpt for sizing ductwork.

bosses pushing us to train faster is killing quality, pissed about it.

screw the cheap labor pools, quality costs but saves headaches.

yeah man, feel your pain on the training grind.

commiserating, my crew's half turnover every season.

try hands on with hvac school podcasts, bryan orr has free tips that stick.

funny story, new guy showed up with a ryobi drill thinking it'd cut copper.

everyone hates the insurance hikes from bad installs, time to union up or something.

yep, seen too many claims from green techs.

dont skimp on recovery machines, yellow jacket's solid but get certified first.

sharkbite for hvac? nah, braze it proper, fight me on push fittings.

love it when a new hire nails a ductless install first try, rare but proud.

scaled my team to 5 techs last year, all from solid training programs, hit 300k revenue.

man, the apprentice shortages are real, feels like were all in this together.