r/Ironworker

I'm posting to see whether anyone else has had a similar experience with Armstrong Steel.

In 2025, I contracted with Armstrong Steel for a residential barndominium project using a VA-backed one-time construction loan. I paid approximately $19,976 in deposits toward the project.

Over the following months, the project went through numerous redesign discussions, engineering revisions, and pricing changes. As portions of the project were removed, I became concerned that the pricing increases were not proportionate to the changes being made.

Ultimately, no fabricated steel structure was delivered for my project. The unresolved issues contributed to delays in my construction timeline, and I eventually transitioned to another supplier so my project could continue moving forward.

I requested a refund of my deposits, but Armstrong Steel has maintained that the deposits are non-refundable. I am currently pursuing bank disputes, consumer protection complaints, and consulting with attorneys regarding the matter.

Since then, I've also joined a Facebook group called Victims of Armstrong Steel, which currently has more than 70 members. While I can't independently verify every member's experience, many have shared concerns similar to my own involving deposits, pricing changes, delays, or refund disputes.

I'm interested in hearing from others:

• Were you able to recover your deposit?
• Did you pursue legal action or arbitration?
• Were you able to negotiate a settlement?
• If you hired an attorney, was it worthwhile?

I'm only sharing my personal experience and genuinely hope to learn from others who have gone through a similar situation.

Looking for another apprentice looking to split rent in the Astoria area which is right where I work near the Triborough bridge and where I begin attending classes in late August at the training facility also in Astoria

Here is mine.... this bastard Double oh No shimmed a grinder with banding, and wonder why it no work.

Been doing steel works for past 3 years and lately wondering if theirs any useful app for all guilds in the steel industries. Couldn’t find any so I decided to learn how to make a app
I built and launched IronWorker Pro, a field reference app for welders and ironworkers — weld symbols, settings, a construction calculator, rebar weldability, drill speeds, job log. Single-file build, wrapped with Capacitor, offline-first, just went live on the App Store.
Wild experience going from zero to published as someone who works iron for a living. Happy to answer anything about the process. Feedback welcome. (Android is in the work)

I bought a 24” alignment bar is that too short? Im not sure if 30” was necessary or would make much difference but wondering if I should swap the 24” just seemed like it would be less in the way carrying around all day

I’m about to hit second year as a carpenter apprentice, love my job love my company, and love the money especially being 19. My brother is first year ironworker and he’s starting to convince me to make the change. Im a junky for hard work and it’s a $9 pay raise in my area so it’s checking all my boxes. I wondered if there was anyone in this sub that’s been in a similar situation?

Hi I’m currently a 2nd year stagehand, one more year and I’ll be eligible for union entry. My local 40 apprenticeship begins at the end of the summer. Can anyone please guide me as per whether or not making the switch is a good idea?

Just wanted to say how grateful I am to be able to do this shit everyday. I’m not even joking when I say that if I had to work an office job and see the same faces and be in the same place for 30 years I would’ve been a failure.

I’m a 2nd year going into my third year but lately I’m really thinking of calling it quits. my local always us to boom out we don’t have much work I have spent all but 2 months on the road and my experience is basically just bolt up and connecting. im on a job up north right now and they don’t have me doing that? they have me basically carrying around heavy shit and cleaning trash which yea I get apprentice work. but my body idk if I can do it? I’m use to pulling on iron a bit and carrying some bolts but idk my body hurts today more than it had in years. maybe this trade isn’t for me. I love it I love hanging and but I don’t like the random shit they have me doing cuz I’m apprentice.. I’m thinking of maybe instead I just drag up and go somewhere I can be back on the iron something about it.. this while experience has got me thinking maybe I’m not made for all aspects of the trade like they say I need to be. I can weld, I can hang and bang I can walk the iron no issues but maybe my body isn’t the type to carry 25 cans of full bolt kegs around.. I just know I’ll burn the relationship here if I drag. I should’ve stayed in Texas

I’m an ironworker apprentice and currently working as a connector on a large project. For quite a while now I’ve been performing the same work and carrying the same responsibilities as my partner, who is a journeyman connector. I’m making picks, connecting steel, handling the daily responsibilities, and pulling my weight without needing constant supervision.

I’ve also been with the same company for over a year straight, which seems pretty uncommon these days.

My question is: am I wrong for asking to be scaled to journeyman pay while on this project? I understand I’m technically still an apprentice, but if I’m doing journeyman-level work and producing at that level, is it unreasonable to ask for journeyman wages?

Looking for honest opinions, especially from other ironworkers, foremen, and superintendents. Would you ask, or just keep your head down until you top out?

Hey yall, I’m looking at getting another pair of jeans, but I want some recommendations from you guys, I been lookin at the wild ass jeans, but idk how I’d like the suspenders buttons with my belt. I’m looking for a pair that’s comfortable( wether it’s off the bat or after breaking in) and pretty durable. Right now I got 2 pairs that I just keep seeing back together and patching up and I think it’s time for another pair.

I was hired on as a welder for erecting steel and they want to get me trained on the iron working side as well. My day to day looks to be mostly welding 100% pen beam connections.

What other things should I know before starting? Any tips appreciated!

Hey all, I'm currently an apprentice with local 361 and I have just finished my first year of apprentice school. I love the work and the union and definitely want to stay in, but I was looking into ways to bulk up my wallet EDIT: spend my weekends more productively since my job site has been running mostly 40 hours a week, with the occasional weekend being sparse. I was looking into enlisting with the military reserves, but was worried that, depending on how long that training may take, I could be out for some months. I am aware that the USERRA would protect me from expulsion, but could I be made to repeat the year if I missed, for example, two months of classes and certifications? Or would I have the opportunity to make those up in the future without adding another year to my apprenticeship?