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Holly Mosser
07-19-2004, 11:03 PM
Hi everyone, I feel I am maybe being a bit forward. Just a few pictures of my work place and my wood working shop:D. I am a First Aid Attendant and work in the Oil & Gas Industry. Right now I am stationed on a Drilling Rig. The truck carries a Medical Treatment Center. Should we have a medical emergency that is what I would transfer the patient in and you pray never happens. The trailer you see behind my scroll saw is what I live in. It has a treatment room and bedroom. The kitchen,office and living room all in one.
Just giving you people a rough time, the next time you are :eek:ed about your wood working shop is not up to par, maybe you would like to work in mine:D. Please no one take me wrong, I am only teasing. I could not ask for a better paying job, and as long as it is not raining I can scroll to my heart content or any other craft I can dream up.:p There is only one down fall with this kind of job is being away from home for months at a time. This job started on June 20,2004 and may go to April, 2005.
Thanks for letting me share this with you, sometimes it also gets pretty lonely out here in the sticks. Can not get pictures so will try in new message.

Holly Mosser
07-19-2004, 11:11 PM
Here goes. The picture at the scroll saw is of a jaguar. Will post another picture of portrait when it is done. Thanks everyone for listening. Bye for now.

David Klink
07-20-2004, 12:06 AM
Quite a tale, Holly. Your post had the intended effect as well. I'm very happy right now to be working out of my garage, uneven floor or not.:D


That sounds like an interesting and important job as well. I can understand how rough it would be to have lengthy stays away from home. My brother used to work for the government, traveling all over the country, sometimes the world for months at a time.Even though they've done very, very well, he always said being away from home took its toll after awhile.

That looks like a nice jaguar pattern. What kind of wood are using for it? At least with a scrollsaw you don't need to worry so much about overtaxing your available power.:p

Personally, I worked in retail management for years and years. Even though I enjoyed the work, I didn't like the way retail was heading when I left. The last 10 or so have been spent doing quality control work.

Currently not working, because my wife needs me at home to help take care of her brother. I make some extra money doing intarsia and other scrollwork, as well as some odds and ends.

David Klug
07-20-2004, 12:13 AM
Looks like a neat pattern Holly.

DK

Jim Becker
07-20-2004, 9:10 AM
Holly, I think you've found a great balance between your "work" and what you do to enjoy yourself. Scrolling is a perfect woodworking medium, too, when you consider portability and the ability to work almost anywhere. I look forward to seeing more of your work, too!

My tool money ;) comes from technical sales in the telecommunications industry; specifically tier-2/tier-3 pre-sales support of large communications systems to business, government and education. If you think about the largest companies out there, particularly in the financial and technology space, they are my customers. I do a lot of presentations as well as serve as a "customer to developer" bridge when it comes to new product considerations. I also do some technical sales training from time to time. While I travel a lot, my office is at home when I'm not on the road, so my "mental health" activity is always close at hand.

But the travel also has a bright side...I try to visit fellow woodworkers whenever I can, especially folks who participate at SMC, and recently made my first international visit in the UK with Ian Barley. While in Barbados last week, I spied a woodworking shop while traveling between customer appointments with a business partner. Turns out the fellow specializes in mahogany chairs (including intricate carving) and I hope that I can budget some time the next time I get down there to visit and get to know more about this craftman's work...which is quite good according to the fellow who was driving me.

Donnie Raines
07-20-2004, 9:25 AM
My shop is my garage right now....so I guess that means it is no longer a garage....its a shop..... :rolleyes:

My vice is supported by the family insurance buisness. I am in the P&C, life and buisness....buisness. My dad started this office some 30 years ago. I dove in feet first about 3 years back. Lots of work(we are a very busy office) and not enough time in the day. Luckily, we just bought a new home less then a mile away from the office(I was makeing a 70 mile trip each day.....in a V-8 Dodge..). It pays the bills and then some. I also enjoy selling lumber, though it is not an official job for me. When I am hot at it I will have some 3-4 thousand feet on hand. I pick out some of the better boards for myself(and for some of my friends). Its fun..... ;)

Tyler Howell
07-20-2004, 10:26 AM
Wow Holly!

You have got it going on. As an old EMT with hundreds of hours on sight waiting for something to happen, you have made the best of your "stand bye" time. Can't say much for the front yard :D but you have got a great system.
Use to be a Sparky in the aviation field. Now I drive a desk and chase 20 techs around the countryside.
I have the whole basement, 24x24 detached garage and sometimes move into the living room for shop time.
Welcome to the Creek and more pix please. We will look at oil wells too!;)

Ken Fitzgerald
07-20-2004, 12:28 PM
Welcome to the 'Creek, Holly! I am 2nd generation "oil field trash"! I broke out roughnecking at age 15 for my father who was a driller! Christmas Eve of '66 (at age 17) after spending the entire night in the freezing rain "fishing" for 11 drill collars that had "twisted off", I told myself there had to be a better way to make a living! Are you able to leave the "location" for any vacation? How do you survive the winters? I can remember as a child in Wyoming when they plowed the roads open one day a week. Crews worked 24 x 7 for one week and then had 2 weeks off! It's neat that you can pursue your hobby while at work. Here's hoping you don't have to use your medical skills too often!

Daniel Rabinovitz
07-20-2004, 1:35 PM
Holly
Was a "shop" teacher for 30 years.
Now work with (for) wife, who has a gift shop.
Also maintain a website for selling some of the "stuff" that we sell in the shop.
I think that you can find the link under the MembersList

Anyway, Your location sounds as if we had driven past it in 1979 on our way to Alaska, but that's quite a story that these folks on the forum don't want to hear. :rolleyes:
Have fun, take care.
Daniel :cool:

David Wilson
07-20-2004, 2:20 PM
Welcome Holly
Looks like you are making the best of your time.
I am an electronics tech which allows me to live indoors and put food on the table with a little left over to buy tools. My shop is in 1/2 of a 24"x24" garadge. The other half is for my wifes car.

Ian Barley
07-20-2004, 3:31 PM
Welcome Holly - pretty dramatic setting for woodworking.

I scratch a crust making Adirondack Chairs so I guess that what I do for a living while woodworking is woodworking. Before that I was in IT and finance - give me sawdust every day.





While in Barbados last week, I spied a woodworking shop while traveling between customer appointments with a business partner.

Bad luck Jim - I'm sure that you would rather have had another trip to Sheffield rather than slumming it in Barbados.

Jim Becker
07-20-2004, 3:55 PM
Bad luck Jim - I'm sure that you would rather have had another trip to Sheffield rather than slumming it in Barbados.
Sheesh! With all that airplane sellin' goin' on in your neighborhood this week, conversation would probably be hard, anyway...

Terry Quiram
07-20-2004, 7:04 PM
Hi Holly

Welcome to SMC. You can see by my posts that I am also a scroller. It is indeed theropy from my job. I am a design engineer with Caterpillar Inc. Specializing in large transmission cases. Some of my better ones are the torque converter housing for the 797 off highway truck and both transmissions for the MT series of agriculture tractors. I have 4 more years until I can retire then its full time in the shop.

Terry

Rob Russell
07-20-2004, 8:47 PM
Holly - Welcome to SMC!

I have a scroll saw. Does that count?

I'm a computer geek type. I run an IT unit, but work in the actuarial department of a major insurance company. My world is stuff like triangles, claim data, loss development factors and other gobbledygook. Actually, it's been a looooong day and I'm heading home now.

Woodworking is a great excuse to buy tools. Besides, one of my grandfathers was a carpenter/cabinetmaker and I spent time with him when I was younger to learn a small bit of what he knew. I've got projects queued that would keep me busy for a couple of years full-time. That's OK - won't ever get bored.

Rob

Lou Morrissette
07-20-2004, 9:05 PM
Welcome, Holly

I'm also a newbie to the forum and it's a great place to hang out. Before retiring this Feb, I was a QC mechanical inspector for 40 years. Always loved carpentry and woodworking and that's what I do these days when I'm not fishing.:D

Kurt Strandberg
07-20-2004, 9:44 PM
I am also new to this forum, I install fire sprinklers for a living and just retired from a volunteer fire department after 20 years. I have a 30 X 40 polebarn that I use for my wood projects, I also keep my goldwing and pickup in there also.

Waymon Campbell
07-20-2004, 11:00 PM
Holly - I have worked in the IT industry for over 20 years and currently am a consultant for a Fortune 100 Oil & Gas company. Like many of the other folks here, woodworking is a nice creative outlet for all the stress we endure as "geeks".

Dennis Peacock
07-20-2004, 11:00 PM
Hey Holly,

I am a woodworker by hobby and parttime it via woodworking for money to help support the shop when I get the urge. I'm a full time Unix Systems Engineer working on very large scale computer systems with hundreds of Terabytes of data and disk storage. I don't love that line of work, but it does pay the bills.

John Payton
07-20-2004, 11:27 PM
Sheesh, my wife kept nagging me to find a hobby away from what I do for a living, which is how I wound up in wood working/turning. Took a turning class several months ago and have been obsessed with it every since.

What I find interesting is how many replies I have seen from the same field, and pretty much same reason as I.

I am total geek. Live it, love it. Work as network engineer - mainly installing/maintaining firewall, routers, security, etc...

Have done a lot of different jobs in my time, never worked on an oil rig though :eek:

Greg Mann
07-21-2004, 12:24 AM
Welcome Holly,

I am an Operations Manager at a Tier 2 automotive and commercial vehicle (big trucks) supplier. That's what they call you when you got more seniority than anyone else, 36 years. Been milling and turning iron for a long, long time. (Just for grins, I counted the holes we drill in iron castings in one day: 85,000+). I've worn every hat you can wear, CNC programmer, fixture designer, maintenance guy, salesman, quoter, machine operator, etc. We started in a garage and now have an 70k sq.ft. facilty with a fountain out front.:) We're the premier independent supplier of heavy truck differential carriers in the country and I'm pretty proud of that.
Building skin-on-frame kayaks got me fired up about woodworking and then I found SMC. This is a great place to hang out and there are some pretty impressive characters here, as you can see from the responses in this thread.

Greg

Holly Mosser
07-21-2004, 1:51 AM
Please keep the replies coming in. I have never met so many interesting people all in one place. It takes all sort of special people to make the world go around and the world is definately spinning in this great forum.

Rob Russell having a scroll saw does count, like me, mine sat in the box for over a year before I decided to give it a try. You will not be sorry.

Ken Fitzgerald the drilling industry has come along way since you worked the rigs. I work 24/7 with no time off unless between locations they do a temp down, might get a day or two off then. Oil Field Trash sounds better than Rig Pig, I'm sure you have heard that before, kinda crude. Before this year not to many rigs drilled in the summer because of the muskeg. With the government tax breaks the oil company can afford to build roads over the muskeg, very expensive. Our lease is only 18 feet above the water table, basicly floating. The crews work 2 weeks in and 1 week out, working 12 hour days.

David Klink I am very new at scroll sawing, the only wood I have used for two reasons, is availability and Baltic Birch plywood is what I was told worked good for portraits. Some day I will try different woods when I can get to a larger city. The small city I live in has only Home Hardware, I am pretty deprived;)

I hope I have answered all the questions and here is the finished Jaguar. The picture is not great and of course framing will have to come later 10 months or so later when I get to go home.

Guess I had better go, I hope I didn't bore anyone to badly. Everyone have a great day

Holly

Glenn Clabo
07-21-2004, 6:50 AM
Hey Holly…cool shop…and great question…

I started out as a carpenter/cabinet maker then moved on to apprentice as a machinist. The draft and the Navy called so I spent 9 years sailing the world. Then I finally settled into this job as the submarine force weapons handling and launch systems in-service engineering program manager. We take care of all the equipment that it takes to load and launch things like tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, and crazy people (ie navy seals).



I have a million things I like to do (Dr LOML says I’m the poster boy for AADD)…only one of which is woodworking. Because I’m so busy at work…and we love living here by the ocean…woodworking gets very little attention until winter. I kind of switch over to photography as my primary hobby this time of year.

Dave Moran
07-21-2004, 7:15 AM
Good Morning Holly, I do tech support, technical sales and system design of fiber optic transport systems. Everything from parking lot security to subways to highway traffic and a lot I can't mention. Shop is 30x40 detached but not air conditioned so shut down during the summer when yard work takes over.

Dave

Kurt Aebi
07-21-2004, 7:42 AM
Welcome Holly!

Great Shop, no matter what you think. It would be great to work in the great outdoors. I have (3) scrollsaws and share my shop (detached 22' x 30' with 11' x 16' addition) with my wife. It is a well equipped shop and we really like doing different things from scrolling, turning to making furniture. Sort of all around woodworking. Right now we are working on small wishing wells. Do you get to see much wildlife, or does the noise pretty much keep them at bay?

Great to have you here at the creek.

I am an Electrical Design Engineer for a company that makes high presision dispensing pump systems for the medical and pharmaceutical industry. As an EMT, I bet you use products from many of our customers. One of the neat projects we do is spray a light film of silicone into the barrels of syringes so that the plunger moves smoothly when you depress it. Another is the filling of air conditioning compressors with oil for automobiles. Another application is dispensing a talc slurry in the talc mines here in VT and in MI. Luckily our business is diverse enough that the economic turns don't effect us too much.

Here is one of the wells we have made. They are 42" tall and 19" diameter. Not too big, but not too small. We are utilizing 2 x 4 scrap lumber for the "bricks".

Matt Meiser
07-21-2004, 8:33 AM
I am an electrical engineer by degree, but lead a group of software developers at a consulting company. We specialize mostly in developing and/or implementing software that collects data from machines on the factory floor, and a host of other things that go along with that. According to my wife, my claim to fame is that I developed the software that prints the barcode that is stuck on the fuel tank of the new F150 (which allows Ford and the supplier to track down exactly what happened when that particular tank was made.) I'm currently leading a team developing version 2 of a web application that is used worldwide by one of the other Big 3's to track plant utility issues and to try to prevent similar problems in other plants.

Jim, I have one of your phones sitting on my desk, although it has your "old" name on it.

Jim Becker
07-21-2004, 8:47 AM
Jim, I have one of your phones sitting on my desk, although it has your "old" name on it.
Stickers are available...:D

Ken Fitzgerald
07-21-2004, 9:21 AM
Holly, I forgot to mention.....I am now a Field Engineer for a large medical systems company. I install and perform maintenance on CTscanners, MR scanners and x-ray equipment. So......I guess that makes me "former 2nd generation oil field trash"! :D Believe me there are days I wish I was roughnecking again!......some things for other readers to enjoy about working on oil rigs!......dope comes in 5 gallon buckets!!!!!!!!!! on rigs they use 30' JOINTS!!!!!!!!!They often have to "TRIP"!!!!!!!!!(that one might be recognizeable by those of us who survived the '60s!) and the PUSHER is the boss! :eek: :rolleyes: :D :p

Terry Hatfield
07-21-2004, 10:49 AM
Holly,

Cool!!! You got it figured out girl!!! Nice job!!!

I'm an independent insurance damage appraiser...heavy on the "independent" part. ;) I was in the body shop biz for 19 years prior to selling it in 1998 and starting in the appraisal biz.

I spend each day looking as stuff like this trying to figure out how much damage there is and if it can be fixed or not.

<IMG SRC="http://www.terryhatfield.com/wreck1.JPG">

BTW...no you can fix that!!! :D

Terry

Steve Clardy
07-21-2004, 11:44 AM
Started working on cars when I was fifteen. Took four years of school classes in wood, welding, machining, etc.
Continued working on cars for a while, went into working on trucks, opened up my own car shop at 20, ran it for 3 years, couldn't manage the money, spent to much on tools, [still do]. Went back into trucks, as a mechanic and working foreman till 1993. Did wood as a hobby all those years, bought a used woodmizer mill, ran it part time for several years, full time for several years. Finally got fed up with trucks and quit that in 1993. Moved to the lake area, about starved out doing custom wood milling, started into furniture piece work for another company, they went broke, so I started into cabinet making full time here at the ranch in the boonies, got into custom staircases, have my own 40x64 shop, with a current 16x64 addition in progress. [need the room].
So to make a long story short, I turned my woodworking hobby into a job. Steve:rolleyes:

Dave Right
07-21-2004, 3:18 PM
Holly- welcome from one Newbie to another. Good question!
I have been in the trucking business for over 30 years. Started out as a foreman on the dock for a large LTL transportation co and worked my way to manager at a couple different locations then decided to go into business with a partner and built cooling towers for 3 years. It is true about going into business with a partner - Don't!
Then back into trucking and did cargo some claim prevention training to drivers and dockmen thoughout Michigan and then managed a large distribution facility for 3 years which ran just- in- time loads to a GM plant for their daily production - about 40 loads over 2 shifts which was across the street from us. It was a 55 mi commute daily one way that can get real old real soon! Saw an add in the local paper for a dispatcher so that is what I do now. Only 10 mi drive.
I dispatch owner operators for flat bed steel hauling of large master coils, tubing or slit coils. I dispatch the drivers then look for return loads with minimal empty deadhead miles. I work only 8 hours a day and no weekends which is a big change for me so gives me a lot more time to work in a new shop I just completed. It is in a wooded lot next to the house and is 30 x 40, 2 story with a 12 x 30 crawl space 4 ft high I use for storaging veggies and some wine, night crawlers or anything needed to keep cool. The lot has a lot of red oak. I had to cut down 6 red oak to build the shop and got 13 logs out of it which I had cut on site and are now stored on the 2nd floor. Running 8-10 percent moisture now so all I need is some equipment. Very proud of the building since I built it all myself over the last 2 years. Finally done this Spring.
I have only some table top equipment that I moved out of my garage and am now looking at purchasing some new equipment but still saving money for that presently.

Mark J Bachler
07-21-2004, 4:01 PM
Hello Holly;

I was a cabinetmaker for 18 years, a woodshop millroom foreman for 4, now I do Auto CAD drafting & estimating for a store fixture manufacturing co.for the last 5 years or so. My shop in 28 x 40 & full of Mini Max. Looking to be on my own in the near future.

Greg Mann
07-21-2004, 7:07 PM
Holly,

I think we're in pretty fast company around here. What, no rocket scientists? A wise old friend once said "The thing that makes people interesting is that they are interested in things." She would have loved this group.

Greg

Tony Falotico
07-21-2004, 7:28 PM
Hi Holly, Welcome to the creek.......... I'm a Civil Engineer (at least i try to be civil!) who used to do private sector land development design and construction management, traffic impact and signal design. About fifteen yrs ago I joined our state DOT in maintenance doing R&D in pavement design and pavement management, then transfered into the Traffic Operations section. Today I manage the Traffic Op's unit out of Lake City, Florida. We cover a 15 county area in NE Florida and do strictly traffic work, signals, signing and pavement markings. We are the 'complaint window' and investigate citizen complaints, and work with local governments. We don't add (new roadways or lanes) to the highway system, we specialize in tweaking the existing roadways to operate safer and smoother. We investigate crash sites to determine if the roadway features contribute to crash occurrences, and do what we can to reduce crash rates. Love what I'm doing, have a super great bunch of folks working for me that also love what we do. Hope to finish out my career right where I am and retire to my shop.

Michael Ballent
07-21-2004, 8:40 PM
I am an Applications Database Administrator for a large cell phone/telecom/chip (Oh yeah they just spun off the chip business) manufacturer. Translation is computer geek :D for a big company. I make sure the database systems are available to everyone in the company, worldwide and 24/7. It pays for the toys, now if I only had time to get out to the shop and play ;)

My shop is a 20'x20' garage that is full of all the usual toys, including a DeWalt scrollsaw ( Wife's toy :D ). I guess the most exotic item in the shop is the Legacy Ornamental Mill. On the wish list is a lathe, if only I could talk LOML into the Powermatic :D

Carl Eyman
07-21-2004, 9:04 PM
I have resisted the tempation to bore you all up to now, but here's the poop. I graduated as an industrial engineer way back in 1947. I went to work for a small family owned candy company doing time studies, method improvements, work simplification, etc. Gradually over the years I drifted into management managing a company owned plant in Cuba in 1957 and another subsiderary later. Then I was offered a job as superintendant of a small candy factory in Puerto Rico. Took it, and enjoyed my four years there a lot. Later, I continued the same sort of work for the same company I went to Puerto Rico with in LA for 5 years and then at their home plant in Wisconsin for 12 more. I returned to LA to manage the plant here until my retirement in 1989.

Now next Valetines day when you eat a candy heart with "I Love You" on it, or "23 skidoo" or maybe "Oh you Kid" think of me. I probably didn't make the one you ate, but I made many more like it.

John Weber
07-22-2004, 12:13 AM
Stay home Dad with a 4-1/2 year old daughter and a 21 month old son. Keeps me plenty busy. I also have a very small home business selling vintage Delta parts via my web site.

Pics look great, what a super way to pass the time.

John

Mark Singer
07-22-2004, 8:54 AM
Holly,
I am an Architect. I design homes and resturants in Southern Ca.. I am trying to work less these days, but the demand is high and I am busy.

larry merlau
07-22-2004, 9:02 AM
i am in graphic arts. electronic prepress and i also do carpentry work on the side. have always enjoyed working with wood and have gotten more into the wood working elemnts of it now. more time and it helps to relieve the tensions from work. my shop is 24x24 and could be larger but that willbe later in the far future :) have been on here since dec and have learned alot form reading the other posts and asking questions. there are many very good woodworkers here and they all seem to be very cordial and helpful and i enjoy reading there posts like most read the news paper. it will surely make your stay in the bush much more bearable and i am sure that your crew respects your loyalty and the care you give them. keep up the good work, i respect your grit! not many people would be able to do that. nice jaguar and let us see your finished project.

RJ Schuff
07-22-2004, 10:46 AM
Hi Holly,

I am a veterinarian, which makes me particularly careful around my power equipment. There is not a lot of call for surgeon missing fingers or a thumb.

;)

RJ

Holly Mosser
07-22-2004, 11:32 AM
What a sensational way to get to know everyone. Thank you all for the postings.

Ken Fitzgerald your insight on why so many work on the rigs, here I thought it was the money. The crew loved your sense of humor.

Steve Clardy it takes alot of guts to do what you have done. Most people only dream of taking something they love to do and turn it into a career. All my best to you.

I have been waiting for a phone call from my oldest son and it came last night at 5:00pm. I am a proud Grandmother of a beautiful new baby girl:D :cool: . She weighed in at 7lbs 2ozs and her name is Cadence. Her sister Angel is beaming ear to ear. I have 9 grandsons and 3 granddaughters. I now have a baseball team with a few spares;)

Don't be shy, lets hear more about what you do for a living while wood working.

Everyone have a great day.

Quote of the day: "DON'T WORRY BE HAPPY"

Holly:D :D :D :D

Don Farr
07-22-2004, 11:55 AM
Hi Holly, I run a small business in the Atlanta area. We sell and service industrial motors and controls. It was fun and exciting until this slow economy came around. Now it is a big headache just trying to keep the doors open.
What I wanted to tell you though is I have a nephew that travels all over the world working on drill rigs. Have you ever heard of Drilltech?

Sparky Paessler
07-22-2004, 12:01 PM
Holly

I have worked for 20 years as an Electronics Technician working in the Test Engineering group for Siemens. This site is a contract manufacturer which means we build electronic boards and assemblies for anyone that hires us. I have also over the years restored 5 houses and built 2 (lived in all but 2 of them while working on them). For shop and tool money I do trim work and other type construction job on the side. My shop is in the basement of my 1920's home and is about 12' by 25' with 7' ceiling. With all the equipment I have aquired over the years it is getting very cramp. I am going to have to dig into the crawl space to have room and height for my new cyclone. Someday I will build a seperate shop out back!

Sparky Paessler

Holly Mosser
07-22-2004, 1:29 PM
Hi Don Farr, I looked in my Canadian Oilfield Directory and could not find Drillteck, but that means nothing. I have not heard of that Oil Company. I work for Devon Canada Corp, started last winter with them. I am told I will have work till next April, we have 4 holes lined up now at 45 days per hole. By the time they are done those holes our winter drilling program will be starting. That will take us to break up in April. The drilling rigs are hard work, but in your nephews case at least he gets to see some unusual places around the world. Hopefully your economy straightens out soon. Take care and thank you for replying to the post.

Holly

Hi Holly, I run a small business in the Atlanta area. We sell and service industrial motors and controls. It was fun and exciting until this slow economy came around. Now it is a big headache just trying to keep the doors open.
What I wanted to tell you though is I have a nephew that travels all over the world working on drill rigs. Have you ever heard of Drilltech?

Holly Mosser
07-22-2004, 1:34 PM
I am a First Aid Attendant on a drilling rig, I also am carefull with my saw. Like you I would look pretty funny if I got hurt using my saw. :o and who would take me to the hospital;)
Hi Holly,

I am a veterinarian, which makes me particularly careful around my power equipment. There is not a lot of call for surgeon missing fingers or a thumb.

;)

RJ

Holly Mosser
07-22-2004, 1:43 PM
Thanks for the kind words, the crew almost becomes part of your family as you eat, sleep and live with them. It will be awhile till I can post the finished project as I won't be returning home till about April 2005. I hear you like fishing, Atlin B.C. Canada has some of the best Lake Trout fishing, picture from holidays two years ago. Hopefully will be returning to the far north to fish again next summer.
i am in graphic arts. electronic prepress and i also do carpentry work on the side. have always enjoyed working with wood and have gotten more into the wood working elemnts of it now. more time and it helps to relieve the tensions from work. my shop is 24x24 and could be larger but that willbe later in the far future :) have been on here since dec and have learned alot form reading the other posts and asking questions. there are many very good woodworkers here and they all seem to be very cordial and helpful and i enjoy reading there posts like most read the news paper. it will surely make your stay in the bush much more bearable and i am sure that your crew respects your loyalty and the care you give them. keep up the good work, i respect your grit! not many people would be able to do that. nice jaguar and let us see your finished project.

Don Farr
07-22-2004, 1:44 PM
Holly, I think Drilltech is a smaller sister company of either Tamrock or Sandvik corp. They make everything from well drills to diamond mine drills and everything in between.
http://www.driltechmission.com/

Arvin Brown
07-22-2004, 1:51 PM
I've really enjoyed this post. My shop - If you want to call it that - is a small unfinished room in my basement - approx 14'x14'. I expand into the media room (which is next to it) when I need to.

I don't get much time there because of my job and my family. I have three kids (my wife says she has four kids). 15 year old daughter, 11 year old son, and a 8 year old son. With all their activities they keep my wife and I pretty much busy (when I'm in town). Reason why I'm not in town much is because I am a Sr. Program/Project manager for a paper company. I travel around the world managing projects (engineering, operations, and construction) ranging anywhere from $1 million to more than $100 million. Here a few pics of one of my recent projects that totaled more than $125 million and took 1-1/2 years to complete.

First picture is the new building for converting the paper off the new paper machine. The second photo is of the building that houses the new paper machine and the last photo is of the new paper machine.

Jack Hogoboom
07-22-2004, 2:06 PM
Hi Holly,

I wanted to jump in here.

I am a corporate lawyer. Basically, I help people buy and sell businesses, big and small, and raise money in the securities markets. So, if you want to buy it, sell it, or finance it with securities, I'm your guy. Not only does it fund my "habit" but it gives me pretty good job satisfaction helping people realize their dreams. Please, no lawyer jokes, as I am one of the "good" guys and hate litigators more than you ever could.

I worked on Wall Street for five years and then "retired" to NJ where I have been for the past 14 years. I am a divorced and remarried father with four kids (6 to 11), who I see nearly every day. If it weren't for them, I'd have a Ferrari and lots of MM equipment. As it is, I have a station wagon and lots of Jet.

My shop is in my basement. It is dark, dank and the only refuge I have on the planet (until my kids invade). Right now, it's hard for me to go down there because it badly needs to be reorganized (just the thought of redoing the dust-collection system is too much for me to handle). My kids like to come down with me, but they trash everything they can get their hands on, so I get very little work done when they're around. Also, I've caught the "spinning" virus and every time I go in the shop I seem to come out with a new bowl. Unfortunately, my new wife doesn't share my love of wood bowls as decorative items, so I will quickly have to move on to something else.

Jim Kelton has been killing me with pictures of his shop construction. I would love to have even one window in my shop!!

Welcome.

Jack

Bart Sharp
07-22-2004, 4:36 PM
Congratulations on the grandbaby!! I am an aerospace engineer by degree, and have been working for the largest subcontractor of aircraft structural components for six years now. I started off in R&D, then slid into materials & processes when the new managers rolled in and killed the R&D department.

In addition to that, I am an adjunct professor of management at a local university. I finished my MBA two years ago and decided to take up teaching to earn a little extra coin. Definitely loved it.

Of course, all of that is about to change. As of two weeks from now I will be leaving my job to go back to being a full time student working towards my PhD. I will be moving into a 500 sq ft apartment with my wife and baby, so my lap is going to become my shop. Since my income is going to be reduced to almost nil, I will probably have to get back into photography as a job to make ends meet so that Christy can still stay home with our daughter.

Of course, all of that would be easier if I could get my house sold. Anyone want to buy a house?

JayStPeter
07-22-2004, 5:07 PM
I am an EE by degree, but have mostly worked as a software and systems engineer. I have worked for companies that design and build flight simulators and flight management systems. I am currently in the integration phase on a Navy helicopter simulator.
My new basement shop is finally finished. I'm taking it easy with woodworking this summer before starting some projects in the fall.

Jay

Christopher Pine
07-23-2004, 9:43 PM
I am a maintenance Technition On f-16 fighter aircraft. I work with the Colorado Air National Guard full time. I was deployed last year to a location Near Iraq... ME at that location next to my airplane and my airplane by itself...
Chris Pine

Jim Ketron
07-23-2004, 10:31 PM
Hello Holly I am building a new shop 20x24 moving out of the garage! Woodworking is my hobby. my last purchace was a Jet mini lathe. Have you looked at them its very portable just like your scroll saw? there a lot of fun too!

I am a pipe fitter I install Fire Sprinklers. I was born into the trade Dad is a sprinkler man also. I have been at it for 13 years. and I do some plumbing on the side.

Jim

Richard Gillespie
07-23-2004, 10:55 PM
Welcome to the creek Holly! I have an Artic Fox that I slide into the bed of my pickup on the weekends and my wife and I can go where we want to. It is fully self contained but she frowns on my bringing any tools along. Since we live in it it's a little bigger than the one you show. My shop is now what was a rather small two car garage.

I worked 30+ years for a natural gas distribution company. Worked my way up from draftsman to mid level management before I chose early retirement. After retirement, I've tried various things including 4 years as a cabinet/furniture maker in a local shop. Found that I didn't like production wood working and that I'm allergic to some wood dust.

Now I work as a handyman. Real Estate agents refer me to their clients for touch up work on a house before it goes on the market. It's keeping me rather busy and the pay is twice what I was being paid as a cabinet maker.
I even get to do some shop work for some clients. Recently I worked on a very old house and had to duplicate some molding. Ended up using hand planes and scrapers to duplicate the profile. That was fun.

Been going to the local community college studying computer science. Still love working with databases.

Danny Jennings
07-24-2004, 2:56 PM
Hi Holly,

I am a "newbie" to the Creek and a hobby level "woodworker". Finally got a shop this past year but it still needs power. That's on hold until some patio remodeling is completed.

I taught high school classes in speech, debate, and history for ten years until burnout/"hunger" caught up with me and the family. Went to work for a major chemical company as an operator working 12 hr shifts. I have been doing that for the last 25 years. Not fun but it has provided a good living and I can see "light at the end of the tunnel". Hope it isn't a freight train :)

Wes Bischel
07-24-2004, 3:47 PM
Hi Holly,

Great question - I've really enjoyed reading what everyone does for a living - pretty diverse group. As for myself, I'm an Industrial Designer - spent 17 years at a Fortune 500 corp. - new concept and product development. Two years ago a new regime took over, canned the department manager and offered me the position. Well, I had to decline, I had a better offer (see picture below). So I was promoted to stay at home Dad - Mr. Mom if you will. Plus I do some freelance work for tool money. :D

Wes

Martin Shupe
07-24-2004, 4:11 PM
I operate heavy equipment for FedEx Express. Most of the time, it sure beats pushing papers across a desk. Except, of course, at 3 a.m. over Kansas, when you are trying to pick your way through a line of thunderstorms, and you know you have 3 hours to go before you get to the hotel in Seattle. :eek:

Ed Falis
07-25-2004, 10:38 AM
Martin,

That sounds like some pretty heavy equipment you're talking about there.

I'm a jack of all trades (development, sales, training, consulting ....) at a small "Free Software" company that provides software development tools. Our customers do avionics, simulators, train controls, defense work, space systems (yeah, rocket science), various kinds of safety-critical systems etc. It's been interesting being involved in a lot of these projects over the years. It's also been pretty cool having software I wrote on airplanes I've flown in.

- Ed

Greg Tatum
07-25-2004, 6:05 PM
Hello Holly...my full-time job is being a nurse at home as well as at a local hospital...My wife, also a nurse, and I own 2 Adult Family Homes one of which we live in....My shop is 1/2 of the garage...I should get a digital camera today and post some pics ....I got my start as an army medic and well remember sitting on a site and waiting to be called....since we didn't have scrollsaws we just used to whittle with our desposable scalples :)
Welcome to the creek.
Greg

Holly Mosser
07-25-2004, 6:31 PM
Jim I haven't looked at the Jet Mini Lathe, but I have seen alot of beautiful work done with the lathe. Also the Jet seems to be a popular brand name, must be one of the better lathes. Maybe I will have my husband look at one for me and where do you purchase the Jet Mini Lathe and what is the ball park price.
Hello Holly I am building a new shop 20x24 moving out of the garage! Woodworking is my hobby. my last purchace was a Jet mini lathe. Have you looked at them its very portable just like your scroll saw? there a lot of fun too!

I am a pipe fitter I install Fire Sprinklers. I was born into the trade Dad is a sprinkler man also. I have been at it for 13 years. and I do some plumbing on the side.

Jim

Rob Bourgeois
07-26-2004, 8:28 AM
I am a stay at home dad with 2 kids. A 3 month old boy and a 2 and half year old girl.

I am supposed to be a biologist as that is what my Masters degree is, but my wife got a good job in a place with very little work for a marine biologist. So I am Mr. Mom.

I figured I would have a lot of time for wood working but the 3 month old kinda put a damper on that. My daughter was just getting trained to sit by the desk and color while daddy worked, now I am starting all over on that with the new shop apprentice.

Nice thread, sure is a lot of interesting jobs on here. Looks like many of experts in all sorts of fields.

Cecil Arnold
07-26-2004, 11:35 AM
Hello Holly, welcome to the creek from another newby. I've held off responding to your thread, but as someone said it has really become interesting. After spending 20 years in the 4th largest fire department in the nation I retired, went back to college, picked up a couple of degrees, and spent the past 10 years teaching fire technology and initial service training at a small community college. Like most firefighters, I was never sure what I wanted to do when I grew up, so over the years I have also: been a police officer/arson investigator, private investigator, charter pilot (and Martin, I have about 80 hours in a DC-3 that was converted to the 1200 peak hp engines the same year I was born) contracted some remodeling, built some cabinets and entertainment centers for customers, and consulted (which may be the best of all, getting paid for what you know not what you can do). I have a 11X23' shop that they call a garage extension that is closed in, heated, air conditioned and very crowded. It is impossible to work sheet goods on the TS so they have to be rough cut before final shaping. My job now is semi-retired soon to be fully retired (end of August) and I'm afraid LOML has some traveling in store starting in September, so my woodworking will suffer. Look at the Jet mini lathe, but you should be aware that they should give teh lathes away since they will really get to you on all the accessories.

Arvin Brown
07-26-2004, 1:08 PM
Christopher Pine - I envy you with your little F-16 toy! I interviewed with General Dynamics when I was graduating from College. Toured their facility in Fort Worth, TX. I was amazed that at one end of a hanger big blocks of aluminim were delivered and one mile later a finished F-16 would roll out the door. Anytime you are looking for a passenger I'm available!!!!!!!

Mike Scoggins
07-26-2004, 1:49 PM
I work for a very large oil and gas company, and am a Petroleum Engineer by education. However, I have never been a “practicing” PE. When I graduated from college in 1986, the oil and gas industry was at the bottom of one of the “always-have-been, always-will-be cyclical down turns,” (much like a sine wave). As a result, I ended up going to work for the U.S. EPA because I needed to feed my family. I did that for three years, and then went to work for an oil and gas company as an Environmental Engineer. I’ve been doing environmental work ever since with a link to the original company that I went to work for, although I’ve been through numerous reorganizations, and much industry consolidation including the resultant mergers, buy outs, etc. (who hasn’t?). My job is largely centered around regulatory compliance, which from a practical standpoint means securing the proper environmental permits for seismic activity, the drilling of a new well, the construction of a new production facility, etc. It also entails creating and implementing systems, training programs, etc. for day-to-day compliance with permit conditions and rules and regulations applicable to oil and gas production. Accordingly, there’s lots of paper work.

That’s one of the reasons that woodworking is so enjoyable to me. It’s nice to truly “create” something that you can touch, hold, use, see and enjoy (in stark contrast to the “paper creation” which is a large portion of my job description). It gives you that satisfying sense of accomplishment. It’s therapuetic for me!

I’m enjoying this thread.

Mike

Roger Fitzsimonds
07-26-2004, 1:52 PM
Welcome Holly, Along with Wes I find it interesting the broad scope of employment on this board. Ihave been a technical support engineer for the last 25 years with various computer and software companies. Now I am a senior unix administrator. I am a hobby woodworker on the weekends.

good thread

Roger

Kent Cori
07-26-2004, 4:02 PM
Good idea Holly and thanks for being the catalyst behind this sharing of stories!

I am by education an environmental and civil (more of less) engineer. I added a MBA a few years later because I learned I was more interested in leading projects and our business activities than detailed engineering work. I’ve now been involved in project delivery for nearly 30 years with three different civil engineering consulting firms. I am currently the project delivery director for all the design and construction projects done by one of the largest engineering firms in North America. We have nearly 15,000 employees world wide and about 20 percent of them are focused on design and construction activities. That makes for a lot of projects and job-related stress. Woodworking is the primary means by which I relieve that stress. It is a great deal less costly than a shrink is and much more effective to boot! :D

Many of my engineering skills help with my woodworking :) but the travel required by my role often gets in the way of my shop time :( . Although our typical project costs in the tens of million dollars to construct, I still worry about saving a $1 per b.f. on my own projects. :o

Zahid Naqvi
07-26-2004, 4:54 PM
Interesting to see such diversity on the creek, specially how many computer related professionals we have. I guess it must be a stressful profession :confused:

I am an electrical engineer by degree, have an MS in Information systems as well. But I have worked with Computers all my professional career. I was initially a network engineer, more on the Telecom side with data networks, but currently a Unix admin. Same company and team as Dennis Peacock. Got introduced to woodworking at 13/14 yrs age when my father started woodworking as a hobby. As soon as I bought my first house and had access to a garage I started getting back into woodworking.

Zahid

Ed Falis
07-26-2004, 10:21 PM
Interesting to see such diversity on the creek, specially how many computer related professionals we have. I guess it must be a stressful profession :confused:
...
Zahid

Maybe it's just that a lot of us who might have been craftsmen in a different society found a way to make a reasonable living and get some kind of craftsmanly satisfaction in the computer business?

I still love designing software after 30 years at it.

- Ed

Earl Reid
07-26-2004, 10:55 PM
Hi, Holly and welcome to the Creek.
My background is different than most of the others. I aways had a job since the 6th grade, farm work, blacksmithshop, skipping school to work in a tin shop making sap buckets. Then in the 10th grade I quit school. to work in a greenhouse taking care of the boilers. I also worked in a tin shop for a company that made veneering lathes (Coe ) . In 1951 I started at a large chemical co. First job was running a steam winch, pulling coal and coke cars to be unloaded. I worked on the coke ovens for a year or so. Then I got in the power house. I started on the bottom job and worked all jobs and in 68 was made shift foreman in the power house, I had a crew of 18 men. We generated more than 2 million lbs of steam per hr. We also had 6 turbo -generators. We had one of the largest engine rooms in the country. our largest boilers operated at 2200 psi.
Three yrs later I was put in charge of 3 other depts., engine room, pump house and asst to chief of operations.
At the end of 1976 we shut the plant down and I ended up at our Chicago as plant supervisor. I did a lot of traveling over most of the country.
I had a goal to retire at 55, but stayed till 56. I was a consultent full time for co for a year, and the as needed for a few yrs. During these years I worked with a lot of very good people and give them credit for all the help the gave me.
During all these years, I also was a vol fireman for 25 yrs., served as township trustee. My wife was also active in our community. We raise 4 children that have done well. I also did a lot of wood working as time allowed. We were able to do a lot of traveling also. In 1952 we returned to Ohio to be closer to family and friends. We have less than 2 yrs to go till our 50th anniversery. It seems like everything went right for us.
I love the pen project and hope to make lots more of them. Sorry for the long post.
Earl

Holly Mosser
07-26-2004, 11:56 PM
Hi Cecil, it has been a long time since I heard the word DC-3 let alone seen one. In 1982 I went to work for a Air Charter company in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. They owned 2 DC-3's along with 172's, 185's, Beaver's, Otter's, a Caribou and a couple other ones, can't remember what they were. I trained as a Flight Attendant and put over a 1000 hours in the two DC-3's flying Smoke Jumpers, tourist, fire fighter, and hockey teams. In the fire season I even spent nights sleeping in the luggage department. As far as I can see they are still one of the safest aircraft to fly in. We flew fire fighters into some pretty scary places, and made it out when everything looked hopeless, they can fly almost as well on one engine as two. The DC-3's even had names and dancing girls paint on the tail Lady Lou and Klondike Kate. When I get home I could post pictures of them if you like. Thanks Cecil it has been along time since I thought of that chapter in my life. They were a great airplane in their day, in fact Whitehorse still hosts one of the largest Wind Vains in the world, a DC-3 mounted on a pedistool and it moves with only a whisp of wind. I don't think Wind Vain is the correct word, but I think you know what I mean.
Hello Holly, welcome to the creek from another newby. I've held off responding to your thread, but as someone said it has really become interesting. After spending 20 years in the 4th largest fire department in the nation I retired, went back to college, picked up a couple of degrees, and spent the past 10 years teaching fire technology and initial service training at a small community college. Like most firefighters, I was never sure what I wanted to do when I grew up, so over the years I have also: been a police officer/arson investigator, private investigator, charter pilot (and Martin, I have about 80 hours in a DC-3 that was converted to the 1200 peak hp engines the same year I was born) contracted some remodeling, built some cabinets and entertainment centers for customers, and consulted (which may be the best of all, getting paid for what you know not what you can do). I have a 11X23' shop that they call a garage extension that is closed in, heated, air conditioned and very crowded. It is impossible to work sheet goods on the TS so they have to be rough cut before final shaping. My job now is semi-retired soon to be fully retired (end of August) and I'm afraid LOML has some traveling in store starting in September, so my woodworking will suffer. Look at the Jet mini lathe, but you should be aware that they should give teh lathes away since they will really get to you on all the accessories.

Jim Ketron
07-27-2004, 12:33 AM
Jim I haven't looked at the Jet Mini Lathe, but I have seen alot of beautiful work done with the lathe. Also the Jet seems to be a popular brand name, must be one of the better lathes. Maybe I will have my husband look at one for me and where do you purchase the Jet Mini Lathe and what is the ball park price.I got mine from Amazon $199 but thats just the start the things that you have to get to go with them $$ ex chisels, chuck, sharpinig tools I started with the Harbor freight chisels $39 look up some old threads on here to get more info.
It's a lot of fun !!
Jim

Holly Mosser
07-27-2004, 12:49 AM
Cecil here is the picture of the DC-3. This is right along the Alaska Hwy at the Whitehorse Airport. This aircraft it totally air worthy can be taken down off the pedistool and flown. It is in mint condition. I found this web site, thought you might enjoy it http://www.douglasdc3.com/dc3vane/dc3vane.htm

Cecil Arnold
07-27-2004, 6:50 PM
Holly, thanks, that brings back some memories. Surprisingly, I still remember the N number from the one I flew, along with the plate in the cockpit stating that the engine upgrade (engines) was done for Delta Air Services in 1942. That, by the way, is the second (I think) name for what became Delta Airlines. I think it was Delta Air services, then Delta and Western, and finally Delta AL. You might find it interesting that the origional 3 had 1000 peak hp engines and was rated at 800 continious. The one I flew was upgraded to 1200 peak and 1000 continious, followed by a later upgrade that I think went to 1750 peak and I really don't remember the continious hp since I never got to fly one. I had heard that there were a number of old 3's in Alaska, still being utilized, and as long as they can find rebuilt engines for that grand old lady she will get you where you are going. She is old, slow, and about as reliable as an airplane can get. Did you know that origional equipment included a pilot's rain cape. They couldn't get the windows to seal, and I don't think they ever really fixed that problem. Anyway, thanks, and what Jim Ketron said about the lathe is sooo true. They should give you the lathe because all the extras really mount up.

Curt Harms
07-27-2004, 9:20 PM
Here's a DC3 census of sorts.
http://www.oldprops.f9.co.uk/DC3%20USA%20Census.htm

Also, Basler in Oshkosh has a PT6 conversion. Seems expensive but they've sold some.
http://www.baslerflightservice.com/basler_airlines/baslerair.html

I've never flown a DC3 or any other round engine, and the one thing I've heard about them is that the mixture control is backward from modern GA aircraft i.e.aft is rich, forward is lean/cutoff. I could see me know,....lessee max power- everything forward..mixtures, props, throttles, ooops... :eek:Pilot induced dual engine failure

Cecil Arnold
07-27-2004, 10:15 PM
And as far as I'm concerned, at GTOW the critical engine is "BOTH".

Chris Padilla
07-28-2004, 12:22 AM
I am an EMC (eltromagnetic compliance) engineer...I have a master's degree in electrical engineering and focused on electromagentics. Recall when you were watching TV and your mother decided to crank up the vacuum, run the blender, or the hairdryer? The TV probably got all fuzzy. Also, recall in the winter time when you'd grab a door knob or flip a light on/off? If you got a shock, that is known as ESD--electrostatic discharge--deadly to computer chips! My job is to prevent the TV from going fuzzy when you switch on a Cisco router and prevent ESD from damaging our routers. Fun, eh? :) My wife does similar things for Cisco only with optics.

The proceeds from this jobs feeds my ww'ing addiction and home remodeling addiction! :D

Rich Konopka
07-28-2004, 7:41 AM
Hello Holly !!


Another computer Geek :eek: here !!

Spent 14 years working in IT at a large insurance Co. Unlike Mr. Russell, I escaped from the Insurance world ;) and I now work as a pre-sales engineer selling database and web software to Insurance companies:confused: . The job is demanding with many 60 hour weeks and many meetings stuck in a conference room or behind a computer screen. I sure love the photos of those small trout.:D

What other time I have left is spent with the 3 LOML. My two girls who are aspiring scrollers . http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=10082

My woodworking aspirations are many and I am still building out my basement shop with a few small projects.

larry merlau
07-28-2004, 10:00 AM
I hear you like fishing, Atlin B.C. Canada has some of the best Lake Trout fishing, picture from holidays two years ago. Hopefully will be returning to the far north to fish again next summer.
:) looks like you make the most of your stay there, great eating fish from those cold waters, have got few of them myself. thanks again for the wonderful post you have started.

Keel McDonald
11-12-2004, 10:10 AM
Holly,

I am an 7th grade English teacher. I enjoy that, but my real passion is in the shop, which is 24' x 24'. My brother and I built it over spring break last year. Before that, I worked out of a tiny 12' x 16' shop that was used more for storage than for woodworking. It's nice to have room to work, but I wish it was about double the size. You can never have too big of a shop!

Keel McDonald

Jay Albrandt
11-12-2004, 10:18 PM
Holly,

If I were you, I wouldn't trade that shop for nuthin'.

I used to be a Physical Therapist and Athletic Trainer. I worked at a few Div. 1 colleges and then moved into clinical sports medicine & rehab. I got tired of that after about 15 years and now I'm a firefighter for San Diego City Fire and Rescue.

Take care out there!

Jay

Bob Drury
11-12-2004, 11:11 PM
I'm an Aerospace engineer. I do CAD/CAM stuff at work. I make almost enough money, making jet engines at work, to pay for woodworking stuff.:rolleyes:

Scott Parks
11-13-2004, 6:17 PM
Never noticed this thread before, but here's my office. Although, I'm not able to do woodworking while I'm working... I fly a Bombardier CRJ all over the central and western U.S.

Michael Stafford
11-13-2004, 7:51 PM
I am a food scientist and food engineer. I spent the majority of my adult life working for large food companies doing QA work and auditing and regulatory compliance.
I tired of moving around and decided to change things and now I am a food regulatory consultant and spend a lot of my time working with companies in NC developing HACCP programs and other food safety programs.
This change enabled my wife to go back to school and she earned her Masters and Ph.D in mathematics and now teaches at the college level where she is department chair.
I don't know if either of our jobs really support our hobbies (she is a needlepointer and that is almost as expensive as woodworking). But we have no children at home and for now have no grandchildren so we are spending their inheritance and having the time of our loves. Living and loving it.
Welcome to the Creek!

Bill Turpin
11-13-2004, 9:10 PM
I work for a technical ceramic company that primarily makes filters for molten metal. I have spent 35+ years in industrial/commercial/institutional maintenance. Due to diabetic neuropathy in feet, my walking ability has been severely limited so I mostly changed to CAD design in May. All my time until Christmas will be spent programming a major control upgrade to our #1 kiln. I hold a NC refrigeration license, but I keep gas burners hot!

My shop is 3/4 of a 20' x 20' out building. I'm teaching my wife to turn on HER mini lathe.

Bill in WNC mountains
aka. Maintenance Gorilla...Lab Gorilla...now, CAD Gorilla

Lloyd Frisbee
11-13-2004, 10:06 PM
I design Printed Circuit boards for anything electronic in Sillllycon Valley. I have been with the same company for almost 27 years. From power strips to Space Shuttle experiments, we do it all. In my free time I enjoy turning wood.

Ernie Hobbs
11-14-2004, 12:18 AM
Hospital Lab capital equipment sales rep. I cover 6 states so, this keeps me on the road a lot. Also, working on my MBA and two kids (#3 on the way- due any day now). Can't ever seem to get enough shop time to satisfy.

Ernie Hobbs
Madison, AL

brent lenthall
11-14-2004, 7:48 PM
Alright, I'm in.

Moved to Nashville for school, BBA with Music Business concentration (music publishing, artist management, copywright law, etc).

Spend six years after graduation working as a professional musician. Although Nashville is mostly known for country music, I did very little work in that circle. Toured, wrote songs, developed new artists, artist management, got bored.

Short stop (1 yr) starting up a new division for a friends commercial landscape company. Learned how to design and install irrigation systems and a lot about warm season turf.

Last 5 yrs have been spent as a headhunter and competitive intelligence consultant for software companies ( CRM, BI, ERP, short detour in Optical Networking). Not a passion, but provided $ and many chances to learn about new things.

Last year I took a class and series of tests to determine how God has "wired" me. Turns out I like to solve problems and learn. My current application is woodworking. A couple of built-in projects have turned into several and have me booked until January. Over the next year I'd like to continue this line of work and start rehabbing homes to help add some bigger $$ to the mix.


Good thread!

Andy Henriksen
11-15-2004, 10:45 AM
I am a Conservation District Forester. I work with private landowners with all sorts of forestry and wildlife management issues. Insect and disease concerns, timber harvesting, tree planting, prairie grass establishment, wetland restorations, etc. Spend about 50% of my time in the field. Woodworking, I guess, is a natural extension of my interest in trees and forest mgmt, and is a very recent hobby, as loml and I bought our first house just a bit over a year ago. Finally have a place to make sawdust. So far, sawdust is about the most impressive product I've created.

Ted Harris
11-15-2004, 12:46 PM
...started playing serious pool in 1987 when I was 24 years old, went on the road in 1991 and traveled till 1997 :cool:...along the way I started doing cue repairs...my travels took me east-west and
north-south to 47 states, Canada, and Mexico, as well as many cuemakers shops...prolly drove 500,000 miles...met alot of nice and encouraging people along the way...made a lot of friends ;)...didn't take long to figure out that being a gambling pool player would keep me broke :eek: :mad:...started buying machinery in 1994 and storing it...in 1997 set up shop in a pool room in Salisbury, MD took the cuemaking full time...in 2000 got married and moved to present location :)...basically, pool playing evolved into cuemaking...I am now a full time cuemaker and part time college student taking CAD, CAM, manufacturing, and residential electricity all to be used in my cuemaking. :cool:

Kevin Arceneaux
11-16-2004, 12:33 PM
I am the Safety & Environmental Manager for a utility. I am a Certified Asbestos Abatement Supervisor and Smoke Reader among other things. :D.

I have a BS Degree in Mining Engineering from Penn State. Though I only worked as one for about 8 months. I worked in coal mines during the summer and breaks to pay for college.

I have worked as a mud logger on oil rigs and when the company shut down I went to work as a roustabout, then floorhand on offshore drilling rigs. All types - jack-up, semi-submersible, and drillships.

When the oilfield tanked I ended up doing route sales till I was able to go to work for an environmental consultant till he tanked - not enough capitol and restraint from spending what little he had. Worked for Louisiana Dept. of Environmental Quality in Haz Waste and Reg development till I got this job.

Betsy Yocum
11-16-2004, 1:37 PM
Holly - thanks for starting this thread it's intriging. Welcome to the Creek as well!

I started out as a social worker - did that for about six years until I got burned out - worked in inner city hospital settings - lots of gunshots and drug overdoses and elderly with not enough resources or help.

Next went into car sales - YIKES!!! I know nothing about cars - but it did butter my bread for a year or so.

Next into retail in the building materials industry - not my cup of tea either.

Next - back to cars - buidling them - built Subaru's in Indiana - great cars. I got into an accident with my Legacy about 4 years ago. Had I been in any other car - I would not be here posting today - great and sturdy!!!

Now I'm in the law business. I work as a legal secretary at a small defense firm in Fort Worth. It's a great environment and I love the work.

I started woodworking as a hobby and it's evolved into a paying hobby. I've made to many adirondack chairs to count - am now concentrating on some smaller stuff. My shop is a converted 2.5 car garage, my full basement and like others - my living room when I'm so inclined.

Thanks for starting this post - its interesting to see the diversity we share on this site.

Betsy

Holly Mosser
11-16-2004, 7:14 PM
:cool: Hello everyone, I started this thread back in July and never thought it would get the response it did. It has been super reading what people do for a living while wood working.
I worked from June 20th to Sept 3rd on the rig but our last month was solid rain and could not get in to much wood work as my outdoor shop was a little wet.
I am not sure if the picture worked but this was what it looked like when I left. They could not even move the rig as the roads were to muddy. I ended up going home for 2 months, which was great, seen my new grand daughter and was good to see all the family.
Well I am back to my Medic job, all schooled up for another 2 years. The hole we are drilling now is about 50 days, we started on the 8th of November and should be moving right around Christmas.
Our next hole is about 130 klms from where we are now and about 80 days. Should just about take us to break up. There are another 2 more holes scheduled so may not get break-up, working right through the summer.
My wood working days are over till the warm weather again in the spring so I am taking lessons on the lap top to learn some of the programs I have. About time, they have been installed on my laptop since I bought it a year ago.
Here is a picture of our new location as they are setting up the rig, it takes about 5 days to rig in and drill surface hole. Hopefully the pictures work and enough about me lets here some more about all the wonderful people on the Saw Mill Creek.
Bye for now.:)

Kevin Arceneaux
11-16-2004, 9:37 PM
The Glomar Coral Sea - my rig

Jim O'Dell
11-16-2004, 10:21 PM
I guess I'll chime in too.
I graduated from Baylor University in 1979, majored in Church Recreation. (Wanted to play the rest of my life!!) Worked retail sales and installing stereos for CMC from 79 to 87. Sold and repaired telephones for National Phone Center for 3 years. Back to stereos, insurance replacement and rebuilds of cars from thefts, usually stereo, and then dispatching for electronic installs at car dealerships with a company called PCI (aka Hawk Electronics) from 90 to 99. Last almost 5 years as a service advisor for Mac Churchill, and now Manuel Lincoln/Mercury. My wife and I just purchased a new to us house west of Ft. Worth that has a separate shop. It's 20 X 24 with a 12 X 14 covered porch that will be enclosed as a finishing room/quarantine room (for the occasional rescue dog that must be separated from the others for medical reasons). If it would stop raining, I could start cleaning out the former owners left overs, and start rebuilding so I can work some dust again!
This has been a very intersting thread. Not sure why I missed it back in July when it started. Thanks Holly! Jim.

(Betsy, I hadn't noticed that you were from Foat Wuth before.)

Mike Tempel
11-17-2004, 1:15 AM
Well, I suppose I will chime in too. I am an operator at a chemical company on the Houston ship channel. I work 12 hour shifts and have found it to be a good living and I work with a pretty good bunch of guys (and gals). I have to say that although I have to work some nights and weekends it is really great - working 12 hour shifts means that if I don't work any overtime I only have to work 14 days (7 days and 7 nights) a month and get a weeks vacation once a month (long change we call it). Been here for almost 12 years, before that I worked as a firefighter/paramedic. Gave up the medic part but I am an Incident Commander on our fire brigade and do some instructing for our company at Texas A&M fire school. I have been woodworking since junior high off and on and have now graduated to a detached 2 car garage for my shop (Garage Mahal or the He-Man Woman Hater's Club depending on the audience - no offense intended to any of the ladies as it is just something one of my neighbors came up with since none of the ladies will come over to visit while the guys are milling around in Garage Mahal). I still consider myself an amatuer but I work hard to build something that I can be proud to show off and like to make what I call heirloom furniture. My grandfather, a trim carpenter, used to tell me that the difference between a carpenter and a cabinet maker was that one used nails and the other used joinery. I like to use joinery and as few mechanical fasteners as possible.

Sorry this is so long but I read each and every reply to this and wanted to toss my two cents in. Very interesting responses and a wide variety of folks here all with one thing in common - a passion for one another's hobby.

Arnie Grammon
11-17-2004, 8:30 AM
I guess I'd better join the fray......great idea Holly

By profession and education, I am a rangeland ecologist currently working in noxious weed management (BS and MS in Rangeland Management from the other OSU......Oregon State University...go Beavs!). My job is a little of everything....lots of outside work on a fourwheeler in very remote locations of Eastern Oregon. I also integrate GIS mapping and remote sensing into my job. Unlike many of you stress-filled geeks, I actually get to have fun while calling it work :p . Don't get paid the super-big bucks, though :(.

My wife (of 24 years) and I have five children (one girl, four boys, ranging in age from 23 to 7), the older two are bio, the younger three are special gifts from God (adopted). Kids are a kick in the pants.....and sometimes the pocketbook;) .

I worked out of high school as a carpenter until the 1978 recession hit.....then worked for ten stress-filled years as a commercial web pressman. I hit the wall and we decided to change horses one more time......went to school and learned how much I don't know.

Most of my woodworking takes place in the winter...I watch very little TV and it's getting dark at 4:30, so out to the shop I go. I have mostly 'newish' tools, and a dedicated shop for woodworking; i.e., no bicycles, skateboards, or lawnmowers allowed:cool: . I love my shop.....I leave the natural gas heater set to 65 degrees.....perfect temp for putzing.

Holly....right about now life in interior BC should be a getting a little on the 'coolish' side. Do you plan on staying there over the winter?

Thanks to all for some very interesting posts.......very worthwhile.

AG

Holly Mosser
11-17-2004, 6:03 PM
What a beautiful picture Kevin, and how do I become a medic on that rig :), no just joking. In your post you mentioned my rig please fill us in on what you do, and thanks again for the picture.
The Glomar Coral Sea - my rig

Holly Mosser
11-17-2004, 6:13 PM
Thanks Arnie for the reply to the thread. I am able to do wood working weather permitting while I am at work. The great outdoors is my shop so yes the weather has put a close on my saw dust making. I live a little farther north than the interior of B.C., but you are close. Our weather has been just beutiful for this time of the year, no snow to speak of and the temp has ranged for -10c to +10c which is very unusual for this far north. Thanks again and have a great day.
I guess I'd better join the fray......great idea Holly

By profession and education, I am a rangeland ecologist currently working in noxious weed management (BS and MS in Rangeland Management from the other OSU......Oregon State University...go Beavs!). My job is a little of everything....lots of outside work on a fourwheeler in very remote locations of Eastern Oregon. I also integrate GIS mapping and remote sensing into my job. Unlike many of you stress-filled geeks, I actually get to have fun while calling it work :p . Don't get paid the super-big bucks, though :(.

My wife (of 24 years) and I have five children (one girl, four boys, ranging in age from 23 to 7), the older two are bio, the younger three are special gifts from God (adopted). Kids are a kick in the pants.....and sometimes the pocketbook;) .

I worked out of high school as a carpenter until the 1978 recession hit.....then worked for ten stress-filled years as a commercial web pressman. I hit the wall and we decided to change horses one more time......went to school and learned how much I don't know.

Most of my woodworking takes place in the winter...I watch very little TV and it's getting dark at 4:30, so out to the shop I go. I have mostly 'newish' tools, and a dedicated shop for woodworking; i.e., no bicycles, skateboards, or lawnmowers allowed:cool: . I love my shop.....I leave the natural gas heater set to 65 degrees.....perfect temp for putzing.

Holly....right about now life in interior BC should be a getting a little on the 'coolish' side. Do you plan on staying there over the winter?

Thanks to all for some very interesting posts.......very worthwhile.

AG

Keith Christopher
11-17-2004, 6:31 PM
Thought I'd add to this list. I have been in the computer field since 1988 working with UNIX and it's variants. I worked my way up the ladder to senior managment in 24x7 operations field. I have also worked as a Systems Architect for many places. I still work in the UNIX field but I can't be more specific sry.

I have been making more and more money woodworking and with a little money managment and debt payoff I may just reduce my drive from 45minutes each way to a walk out the back to my shop for work.


Keith

Kevin Arceneaux
11-17-2004, 11:09 PM
Can't. They broke it up a few years ago. The sister ship, the Java Sea, went down in a typoon off of China in the 80's. Good rig and a really good crew. You haven't had fun till you are tripping pipe in a storm with 20' seas. Or you have to go over the side in a basket to unload a crew or workboat in that weather.

We worked 14 and 14. Some worked 21 and 21. My father-in-law worked 28 and 28 in the North Atlantic and off of Africa.

Jalin Key
11-18-2004, 3:30 AM
I'm a 20 year pressman for a printing company.

Tyler Howell
12-09-2004, 7:03 PM
Wow Holly,
Just checked in, has this grown. This is where I work..... (no fly boys, jet jocks and women aviators, not in the fish bowl).
I have five of these, 15 airports and about 50 remote facilities to look after.
Good work if you can get it.:cool:

Steve Jenkins
12-09-2004, 7:22 PM
Interesting the folks associated with the oilfield. I'm fulltime in sawdust now but when I started ww as a hobby I was working as a commercial diver with most of the work in the oilfields. When not offshore I had nothing to do so started playing in the garage. I wish I had a schedule like 14-14 or 28-28. The company I worked for believed in sending us out until we were sent back in again. Most of our work was done from Brown and Root barges and they would keep us out for as long as the barge had work. a good example of the schedule was a "3day" job that I ended up spending 3 months offshore before getting home again. But I loved it.

Greg Griswold
12-09-2004, 11:07 PM
Shop is a 24 x 24 garage shared with the garden tractor, yard tools and the occasional car.

Along with woodworking, I enjoy model train building, shooting and gardening (when I can find time from my job, kids, grandkids and dear wife). If busy hands are happy hands, my hands are the happiest hands in the world.

Worked for Ma Bell as a lineman, cable splicer and installer/repairman, spent 11 years as a packing house rat, then went to school. For 10 years after school, worked as an engineer designing control systems. For the last 12 years, I have worked for a major electronics manufacturer based in Schaumburg IL. Started as a Production Supervisor, Technical Manager, then moved into IT as Software Engineer. Moved on to Senior Software Engineer, now Staff Software Engineer. Provide support for 24/7 manufacturing facilities in Mexico, France, China and the US along with project management tasks for new processes. Keeps me out of mischief.

Dan Gochnauer
12-10-2004, 5:03 AM
Hello Holly and All

Just stumbled onto this forum today and what a place. I think I'll be reading for months, but I love it. :cool:

I'm another one of the geeks from the computer business. Been part of many silicon valley startups. Got burned out so I bought a printing business, but that wasn't such a good idea. Just when I started to become excited about working in technology again, the bubble burst. The employment prospects in the valley have not been the best lately. But when you have lemons, you make lemonade. Rather than sit on my hands, I worked for a few years founding a startup (as a working volunteer), but unfortunately, that didn't pan out. So now I'm trying to figure out what I can do with my life.

I've done woodworking for 40 years or more (off and on). Mostly, I like making furniture. In the last few years, I've taken the 24'x24' space attached to my house and turned it into a nice shop. Some of my neighbors park their cars in theirs, but my cars have never seen a garage. Lately, I have gotten a hankering to build architectural art. I love Victorian Houses. So my latest endeaver is to build scale Victorian Houses (1/2"=1' scale). Great idea except for the small gingerbread. Have scroll saw but it just doesn't cut it.:D To solve that problem, I just bought a laser. It should arrive next week. My goal is to become a laser wizard. The laser will enable me to build some real great models and maybe make some money too.:) I've seen there are a few other people interested in architectural models. If so, PM me sometime. If nothing else happens, it should be an interesting career.

Greg Narozniak
12-10-2004, 8:44 AM
Have been into Woodworking since the late seventies and early eighties when I was very young. My grandfather worked in the Brooklyn navy yards as a carpenter and then in the mid 50s moved to central NJ where he built a house an a small apartment complex, and two smaller housees for rental income. I can remember helping with maintenence on all of the building and it just came natural. Took 4 years on Woodworking in HS and always did very well, Wish I had that Powermatic lathe and all the free lumber now :)

When I am not trying to make furniture or home improvments, I am, like a lot of other, in the IT field. I do computer support for both front end (users) and Backend (servers, L.A.N., etc.) Been doing it since 1998 and it's had it's ups and downs but the day is never boring :)

Shop is my attached 2½ car garage, that I really need to clean and take some pics for the picture police.