Changing industries...

[netranger6]

Okay, so I'm going to shift gears from current industry, and jump into the boom we have going on around here. Specifically, coil tubing/oil field. Gonna work for Warrior Energy, under Superior Energy group. Looking for tips on duffles, packs, boots, that sort of shit.

Thanks in advance!

/net

 

[High Binder]

Re: Changing industries...

Glad to see you heading into my realm, it's a good time to make the transition. I don't have any gear ideas because I work in a lab for one of the biggest oil companies in the world but it's a good time to get into the oil business that's for sure. You're going to put a lot of miles on your truck. I have a buddy who drives around and logs data from pump jacks all day six days a week and puts 90,000 miles on his truck per year!!! I hear the rig guys like Redwings.

 

[Sportin Wood]

Re: Changing industries...

+1 on Redwings. The best thing you can do for yourself is spend a little extra on comfortable and long lasting boots. Don't want your feet to start killing you half way through the work day....

 

[kthomas]

Re: Changing industries...

Redwings is what I wore when I worked on the rigs. They are really comfortable, but I found their durability to leave a little more to be desired. I could go through a pair of boots in 3-4 months. The only other pair of boots I tried were danners, which were really uncomfortable. I think my next set of boots will be customs, possibly a set of vibergs.

Socks are pretty crucial as well. Make sure you get good sets of socks, which are appropriate for the weather. A pair that is designed for work, which wicks moisture away is what you want.

Honestly, any duffle bag will do. Make sure it's one you don't mind wrecking, and it's large enough to carry your gear. I found my duffle bag would take a beating out there, getting oil, diesel and drilling mud and whatever else on them, and well as all the scuff marks from being tossed in the back of different pickup trucks among assorted gear. A waterproof duffel bag would be handy, though not necessary.

 

[Maggot]

Re: Changing industries...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: StanwoodSpartan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1 on Redwings. The best thing you can do for yourself is spend a little extra on comfortable and long lasting boots. Don't want your feet to start killing you half way through the work day.... </div></div>

Been wearing them for 40 years. Wouldnt put any other boots on my feet. Have a pair of their shoes as well. No break in needed, GTG right out of the box. And the upper grades are still made in Redwing Minn.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Re: Changing industries...

Another 'Plus 1' for Redwing boots. But to further the plug, practically anything that wears out on their boots, is repairable/replaceable. They'll pretty much re-build the boot for you.

I started wearing them in my trade, back in '95. Wish I'd done it sooner, too.

Only thing I can say about oilfield stuff though, is "Nomex". It's the 'in' fashion.

 

[kthomas]

Re: Changing industries...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sean the Nailer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Another 'Plus 1' for Redwing boots. But to further the plug, practically anything that wears out on their boots, is repairable/replaceable. They'll pretty much re-build the boot for you.

I started wearing them in my trade, back in '95. Wish I'd done it sooner, too.

Only thing I can say about oilfield stuff though, is "Nomex". It's the 'in' fashion.</div></div>

Nomex summer coveralls are the best. So light yet durable. Better than any other coveralls I've ever worn, and I've owned over 14 pairs of coveralls. Highly recommend!

 

[netranger6]

Re: Changing industries...

Warrior Energy provides uniforms, hard hat, blah blah blah. I've been a Redwing guy too, but have been checking out Danner's line of alloy toe's. Reason being, that's what I use for my military duty, and they've done me well that past several years.

I'm not going to be on a rig per say, but coil tubing. Drilling plugs, extracting tools (line wire losses), etc... 12 on, 4 off. Company provides transportation, hotel, per diem, etc... The yard is literally, 1/2 mile from my house, where I'll park my truck, so miles won't rack up. My buddy, who's been doing this for 5 years now and was a client of mine, supervises for IPS. Last years' gross was 264K, and just got a 36K base raise for 2012.

It's been a hard decision, but I'm tired of letting opportunities pass for lack of taking a risk. The Victoria/Cuero/Goliad/Kennedy area is blowing up with the EagleFord Shale...and theres more below it.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: Changing industries...

I haven't worked in the oil fields in a long time. I started when I got out of the army in '69 and moved to Wyoming. I hit Gillette and got hired right away.

I learned that a '67 mustang sucks as a motel room in the winter. I started working the rigs with cowboy boots. If you take them off at night the freeze and you have to take them into the cafe rest room, run hot water over them until they thaw, and you can get them on your feet.

So you keep them on at night until you get paid hoping they'll hold together (they wont). They never dry out.

First pay check I got a set of Soral felt liners with steel toes, (and a motel room, last one in Gillette, the Montgomery, a rail road hotel at the time) and my feet finely got warm.

The Soral's were the cats meow, warm and they last, They made through my oil field days, to the Railroad and on to Alaska.

If I could keep my feet warm and dry I could handle just about anything.