What do you do for a living then?

[King Corragate]

I'm in Glass Restoration, repairing chips, scratches, cracks and surface damage to all types of installed glass. And before you ask, I do not fit glass, so I would not like to comment on last nights Grand Designs (7th March 2007), apart from offering my services when it most certainly cracks.My interest in woodwork is purely a hobby.Main thing for me is Turning.
Gary.

 

[RogerM]

Spent 5 years as an RAF pilot, followed by 2 years running my own hang gliding school in the lake District (Keswick). Then 13 years in Building society Management, followed by 15 years in investment, inheritance tax and pensions planning for HBOS. Hate the pressure and can't wait to retire! Working in wood and building projects is a great release.

 

[Shultzy]

After leaving school I joined a civil engineering company for 18 months, and then moved on to work for Birmingham City Council Engineers Dept. I became interested in computing when pc's were introduced into the council in 1981, and in 1983 moved to the finance dept. to work with computers full time. The IT Systems section was formed in 1990 where I continued to work as a network specialist until I retired in March 2006 after 36 years.
Woodworking started in 1972 when we moved into a house and we couldn't afford much furniture, and will continue until I depart this mortal coil.

 

[RobertMP]

25+ years building up a manufacturing business making special lighting products for major brands as a subcontractor and now had just over a year getting used to not having a business. Our main selling lines were copied and made quite well in China and offered for sale complete for less than the cost of our materials purchase - never mind labour.

Rather than fight a losing battle we got out while we still could. So from designing complex lighting products and programming machines for CNC metalworking I am now learning about woodworking machinery and how to use it

Business was an all consuming priority. Now I have all day every day to myself and so far no trouble filling my time. Don't know how I found the time to go to work now

 

[ByronBlack]

I'm an optical lab manager for a group of independant opticians, i've been doing that for about 10 years on and off now. I had a spell of running my on web-applications company for 3 years during that period, learnt a hell of a lot.

Will evenutally start my own business again one day, hopefully in woodworking - maybe in 10 years or so (might just have the workshop finished by then).

 

[greggy]

well i left school in 1970, joined the army till 1982 then became a driving instructer, did that till 97and driving trucks for the same co since, ave 70 hrs a week, but woodworking when i get the chance which is mainly sat aft and sundays. i am not brilliant but what i make swmbo likes the results. i am also a novice on computers, and just learned to copy and paste, i have just got a midi lathe and hopefuly make a few pens :lol:

 

[Corset]

I am a lettings agent for students houses, currently hating the fact we have just expanded by 100% . I am a bit disgusted with the greed in the property sector and the youth of today wanting everything on a plate and taking no responsibility for anything.
I am 31 wishing i had thought a bit more at 21 what the hell i wanted to do. Got a degree in biotechnology which is no use, like doing practical stuff but i never get the chance to do it, hence the woodwork. Thinking about changing jobs at mo but then again is their such a thing as the perfect job? AS soon as do something something you like for money i guess some of the pleasure goes.
Owen

 

[stevel]

After getting my degree in biochemistry in 1973 worked in research at Kings College, London. After several years on research grants decided to get some security by joining the pharmaceutical industry. Did a further degree in Immunology and got greedy so did one in Pharmacology as well. Spent my free time playing with cars. Was made redundant in 1999 when research in the UK was moved to Japan. Took the easy way out, worked for 3 more years then retired to Cornwall. Have just taken up woodwork and love it. I couldn't be happier (except of course I want more tools!!)

Steve :lol: :lol:

 

[tulsk]

I am/was a fourth and last generation Irish coal miner. Now work in emergency services and have just passed a milestone as in having spent more time in this job than u/ground. Strange thing is I still feel like a collier doing another job if you know what I mean- 13 years on!
Never grumbled about going to work in me life- enjoy the banter and humour and know I'll miss it when retired. All the best John.

 

[Shadowfax]

I act as an advisor on means of escape and fire safety for a local authority. I also advise on access issues for disabled people. Before all this I was a firefighter and fire officer for thirty years.
Woodworking is something I have always done but it is still not much more than a hobby.
SF

 

[PowerTool]

Have been a planner in road/chemical transport for the last twelve years.
Previous jobs include :-
Tractor driver/farm worker
Wagon driver
Warehouse worker for Vauxhall/Lotus/AC Delco
DJ
Policeman
Tanker driver

Have passed driving tests for tractors,cars,forklifts,LGVs and police cars

Do all sorts of odd jobs for people - and can honestly say I enjoy every job I do,and have enjoyed every job I've done

Andrew

 

[syntec4]

Apprentice technician (HND Electro-mechanical engineer) at GEC trafford park. Was working on Low pressure turbine designs-Until 1990 For Power stations. Then moved onto be a Time recorder engineer (Clocking on machine's). Moved employers a couple of times but still within the same field. This now includes Access Control, Fire reporting, School Registration, telephone reporting and various other bits of hardware and software mostly via Biometrics (Fingerprints), but still some smart card systems. Got shoved into the sales department about 2 years ago and hate it. I am now the sales manager. Want to go back on the tools doing installs, but they wont let me. The stress is horrible. I would like to do some woodwork for a living, ideally something like a finish carpenter, but I'm not good enough yet and SWMBO would not tolerate the salary drop. Hopefully I will go back to being an engineer (Access Control, CCTV, Alarms etc) with this company or another (I am looking) in the short term and aim at woodwork as a long term goal.

Cheers
lee.

 

[neilc]

I served my time in Sligo as a house bashing electrician. When work ran out there (before the boom) moved to Dublin and started working in the industrial side of things. I spent 11years with the same company, the last five of which was spent testing and commissioning all aspects of medium voltage installations. The last job I did for them was back in my home town of Sligo commissioning a 38kV sub-station for the ESB (our utility company). Quite a big difference from my previous work there.
Then an opportunity arose a couple of years ago for a job as a commissioning "engineer" for a generator company. This involves electrical commissioning of all types of generator systems including single and multiple synchronizing sets. I have to say it was a great move and really love it.
Somewhere down the line I love to I'd love to finish up full time in the workshop. Nothing big just one job at a time commissionings for people in a relaxed kind of way (dream on Neil).
Good thread Tony very interesting.
Neil

 

[colinc]

I have been working in structural engineering since starting as an apprentice technician (the lad) in 1972.

I now spend my days writing connection detailing and related software for a structural engineering cad company.

I don't recommend engineering as a career. The job's a bad one.

For example, I have to go to the USA this weekend and spend five days in a disgustingly opulent Las Vegas hotel just to deliver a few hours of presentations.

Honestly, if it had heating I'd rather be in my workshop! Are there any good tool shops in Vegas???

OK - I know I shouldn't be complaining, but travelling really does loose its attraction when you've been doing it for years. It's not what you do that's important, it's what you have at the place you call home.

Colin

 

[Escudo]

Chartered Accountant / Registered Auditor / Tax advisor (I have my own practice)

I would also like to mention that at least I have a brown suit, and it was not from Marks & Spencer.

I enjoy woodworking and pottering in my shed, it is so different to my day job and "a change is as good as a rest they say".

Esc.

 

[Anonymous]

Done an apprenticeship in Carpentry and Joinery, then worked for about 6 years in a small joinery shop at our local hospital. Mostly old Victorian buildings, so one minute it would be laboratory fit outs, next it would be a replacement box sash along with more mundane stuff. (Mrs T put paid to that job… :roll: )
Went into specialist commercial glazing doing some pretty prestige stuff sometimes, including the Queens house.
From there, boat building, both wooden and luxury fibreglass flybridge cruisers.
I now test tea and doughnuts for Good Woodworking magazine.

Andy

 

[ByronBlack]

Andy, can you recommend a good brand of tea to go with a spanish omellette?

 

[JFC]

Just a Lady of the night myself :lol:

 

[mr]

Live events technical management and, over the last few years, web development and corporate comms software as well. Self employed.
Mike

 

[ByronBlack]

Just a Lady of the night myself :lol:

Do you dress up in a victorian outfit like 'emiily' off little britain?