Brazing best practices, nitrogen purge brazing, and air fuel vs oxy fuel system decisions all reveal the same principle: the best tradesmen never cut corners.

Host Andrew Brown sits down with John Henderson, Sales Director of Gas Equipment at ESAB, live from AHR Expo to examine why disciplined fundamentals—not speed—separate respected contractors from those constantly fixing preventable mistakes.

John explains why nitrogen purge brazing is often skipped on job sites and why experienced tradesmen refuse to treat it as optional. What may look like a small time-saver can introduce internal oxidation, long-term system damage, and costly callbacks. The conversation also explores how choosing between an air fuel vs oxy fuel system requires understanding heat demands, portability, and application—not default habits.

Beyond equipment and technique, Andrew and John discuss how skilled trades training and mentorship instill the discipline that defines craftsmanship. From HVAC technicians to plumbers, electricians, and construction professionals, this episode reinforces a simple truth: reputation is built on standards upheld when no one is watching.

(00:00) – Why the Best Tradesmen Refuse to Cut Corners

(02:18) – Job Site Shortcuts: Where Contractors Sacrifice Time or Standards

(07:47) – Air Fuel vs Oxy Fuel System: Choosing Tools That Match the Work

(09:05) – Nitrogen Purge Brazing: Why Fundamentals Protect System Integrity

(11:08) – Skilled Trades Training and Mentorship: How Standards Are Passed Down

(15:13) – Tool Durability and Maintenance: Real-World Demands vs Demo Conditions

The best tradesmen protect their reputation by upholding fundamentals, even when shortcuts seem faster.

Nitrogen purge brazing prevents internal oxidation and protects long-term system performance.

Tool selection—including air fuel vs oxy fuel systems—should be based on job requirements, not convenience.

Short-term speed often creates long-term rework, callbacks, and lost trust.

Skilled trades training and mentorship reinforce the standards that define true craftsmanship.

John Henderson is Sales Director of Gas Equipment at ESAB and a 40-year veteran of the Trades Industry. He works closely with contractors across HVAC, plumbing, and construction sectors, focusing on safety, performance, and tool durability under real-world job site conditions.

John is committed to strengthening skilled trades training and mentorship rooted in fundamentals. His work centers on helping contractors build durable reputations through disciplined technique and sound equipment decisions.

Brazing Best Practices, Nitrogen Purge Brazing, Air Fuel vs Oxy Fuel System, Skilled Trades Training and Mentorship, Contractor Tool Durability and Maintenance, Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Construction, HVAC, Electricians, Plumbers, Millwrights, Carpentry, Tradespeople, Trades Careers, Andrew Brown, John Henderson, ESAB, Toolfetch, Skilled Trades Advisory Council, Craftsmanship, Contractor Efficiency, Standards, Mentorship, Problem-Solving, Industry Experts

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-henderson-12943611/

ESAB Website: https://esab.com/us/nam_en/

If you’re getting value from these conversations and want to help keep the mics on, consider supporting the show here → https://andrewbrowntrades.kit.com/products/toolbox

Every contribution helps us continue bringing experience-backed insights from the trades—focused on standards, discipline, and real-world performance.

Skilled trades careers offer another path. Tony Bertolino explains plumbing apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and why apprenticeships aren’t “less than” college.

Host Andrew Brown sits down with fourth-generation plumber, contractor, apprenticeship instructor, and business owner Tony Bertolino to break down how trades careers actually develop, from plumbing apprenticeship programs and on-the-job training to the shift from technician to owner.

Recorded during live apprenticeship competitions, Tony shares what sets top apprentices apart: mindset, self-discipline, and pride in doing the work well. The conversation explores why classroom learning has limits, how hands-on repetition builds real mastery, and why trades education works best when theory and field experience reinforce each other.

Tony also addresses common misconceptions about plumbing, explaining its role in public health and why the work is often undervalued precisely because it’s done so well. For those considering entrepreneurship, he offers a reality check on ownership—covering responsibility, risk, mentorship, and the importance of community.

Whether you’re exploring an apprenticeship, alternative education, or ownership in the trades, this episode offers grounded perspective from someone who’s lived every stage.

(00:01) – Skilled Trades Careers Today: Pride in the work and why demand keeps rising

(05:12) – Plumbing Apprenticeship Programs: What textbooks teach—and what they can’t

(11:40) – On-the-Job Training in the Trades: Why hands-on repetition builds mastery

(18:55) – Trades Entrepreneurship: Why ownership isn’t “overnight success”

(26:30) – Mentorship, PHCC, and community: Why business owners shouldn’t operate alone

(34:10) – Alternative Education Pathways: Why apprenticeships aren’t better or worse than college—just different

1. Skilled trades careers are built through pride, responsibility, and consistent effort—not shortcuts.
2. Plumbing apprenticeship programs work best when classroom theory is paired with real on-the-job training.
3. Hands-on repetition and tool confidence are difficult to teach without field experience.
4. Plumbing protects public health through safe water and sanitation, even though the work is often invisible.
5. Trades entrepreneurship brings freedom, but also nonstop responsibility and financial complexity.
6. Mentorship and professional community reduce isolation and help owners make better decisions under pressure.
7. Failure is part of learning in the trades, and progress depends on how people respond to mistakes.

Tony Bertolino is a fourth-generation plumber, contractor, apprenticeship instructor, and co-owner of Bertolino Plumbing and Heating. He also serves as a national VP within the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC), where he supports workforce development, mentorship, and modern apprenticeship education.

Tony focuses on strengthening the trades through real-world training, honest conversations about ownership, and long-term investment in people.

Skilled Trades Careers, Plumbing Apprenticeship...

Before skill, before technology, trades careers are built on responsibility and showing up.

Andrew Brown and Dan Callies, President of Oak Creek Plumbing, break down what actually sustains blue-collar careers: character, mentorship, and earned respect.

Andrew and Dan explore how plumbing apprenticeships develop more than technical skill, why hire for character, train for skill remains a durable leadership principle, and what it really takes to grow from apprentice to journeyman to business owner. Drawing from decades in the field and in leadership, Dan explains how accountability, attitude, and consistency shape long-term success in the trades.

The conversation also examines the AI impact on skilled trades, not as a threat to craftsmanship, but as a tool to support efficiency, diagnostics, training, and operations. Dan shares how Oak Creek Plumbing uses technology to digitize routine processes while preserving the human judgment required for hands-on problem-solving.

Whether you’re considering skilled trades careers, currently in a plumbing apprenticeship, leading blue collar teams, or trying to understand how AI fits into construction and contracting, this episode delivers experience-backed insight from someone who has built both people and businesses in the trades.

(00:00) – Skilled Trades Careers Today: Why the trades remain the backbone of the economy

(06:10) – Hire for Character, Train for Skill: What leaders actually look for on job sites

(14:45) – Plumbing Apprenticeships Explained: Earning while learning and building mastery

(24:30) – The AI Impact on Skilled Trades: Digitize what you can, humanize what you must

(35:50) – Blue Collar Careers vs College Debt: Time, patience, and long-term payoff

(49:20) – Advice for Young People Entering Skilled Trades Careers Today

1. Skilled trades careers are built through consistency, responsibility, and showing up, before skill ever takes over.
2. A plumbing apprenticeship develops technical ability, discipline, and leadership over time.
3. Hiring for character and training for skill creates stronger tradespeople and healthier companies.
4. The AI impact on skilled trades improves efficiency and training but cannot replace hands-on judgment or craftsmanship.

Dan Callies is the President of Oak Creek Plumbing and a second-generation plumber with decades of experience in the field and in leadership. He has worked through every stage of the trade, from apprenticeship to ownership, and remains deeply involved in mentorship, workforce development, and industry advocacy.

Dan is a strong proponent of apprenticeship training, union education, and responsible technology adoption. He believes the future of blue collar work depends on character, accountability, and leaders willing to invest in people over time.

Skilled Trades Careers, Plumbing Apprenticeship, Hire for Character Train for Skill, Blue Collar Leadership, AI Impact on Skilled Trades, Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Trades Careers, Tradespeople, Contractors, Construction, Craftsmanship, Problem-solving, Plumbers, Electricians, HVAC, Carpentry, Millwrights, Andrew Brown, Dan Callies, Oak Creek Plumbing, Toolfetch, Skilled Trades Advisory Council

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-callies-6a641613/

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