jobs in the industry

[MathewA]

A bit of an update on what I said earlier. The fellow I was talking about going to the shop in Toowoomba is starting at 35000/year but is expecting, though he doesn't know when, to have his salary increase to between 40,000 and 50,000/year if all works out, which is obviously more than fair. Just found that out today so not all is too bad in the woodworking field. I wouldn't want that shop to be labelled in an unfair way.

Also, I have a tendency to be a bit vague at times though I stated at the beginning... I'm bagging on cabinetmaking not furniture making. I know a lot of furniture makers and all of them make very little money but they love what they do; all also work for themselves. I also know a lot of cabinetmakers and few if any like what they do, and some own they're own shops.

[HJ0]

Hearing lots about this furniture guru in Toowoomba, has anyone ever seen any pictures of his work. Or is it only for the eyes of the rich and famous.

HJ0

[RufflyRustic]

Thanks for the advice Cameron. I have often wondered if I'd end up losing my passion if I did take up woodworking fulltime.

Matt - thanks for the update.

HJO - no promises, but I might, just might be able to..... but don't hold your breath.


I talked with my new boss to day, made a huge difference, let's just say my passion for wood will still be my passion for wood and hobby, for the time being. Besides, it'd be a little on the silly side to give up the chance for paid maternity leave (no, not yet guys)

cheers
Wendy

[Garell]

Well i can't beleve the amount of people that replyed to my original question.

I have given it all some considerable thought and from what I had happen at work today I think that its confermed. I will be looking into the wood industry, as a carpenter, or cabnitmaker or kitchen fitter I don't care. But its a definate to get out of where I am at the moment. Basicly I got abused by one boss for doing something that another boss askes me to do then was told I should have known better. I can't win.

So I'm officialy looking for work. Grrrrr. Havent told them I'm leaving yet though, but every one will know there stupidity when i do .

[RufflyRustic]

Go for it Garell! Sounds like it's the right time for you to make such a change.

Good luck and I hope you can keep us updated. It's been a very enlightening discussion. Thank you for starting the thread.

cheers
Wendy

[zenwood]

There are some case studies of people making a successful woodworking businesses in recent issues of Australian Wood Review:

1. "If At First You Don't Succeed", by Richard Raffan, Issue 48, p. 24,
2. "Risky Business" by Richard Raffan, Issue 49, p. 24, and
3. "Manna Mission" by Linda Nathan, Issue 50, p. 24.

For me, even if I could get the same pay doing woodworking, I think it would change my attitude towards an enjoyable hobby if I was required to do it for 8 hrs (or 10, whatever) every day. I keep it as a relaxing hobby to get the mind thinking about something totally different, and there's no rush to get things finished, just spend as much time as I want pondering things, and getting the right degree of perfection for me.

[keith53]

For me, even if I could get the same pay doing woodworking, I think it would change my attitude towards an enjoyable hobby if I was required to do it for 8 hrs (or 10, whatever) every day. I keep it as a relaxing hobby to get the mind thinking about something totally different, and there's no rush to get things finished, just spend as much time as I want pondering things, and getting the right degree of perfection for me.

Good point Zen. I'm probably in the same boat. Its not that I don't enjoy the work I do - just the environment I work in and the space cadets I work with (not all, of course). Mind you a good raddishing might improve some of them but I think that's illegal nowadays.

I don't know if the enjoyment level would be the same if I were to be a full time woodworker (I suspect not). Yesterday afternoon was a classic example. I finish work at 3pm and so have till 6pm when swmbo gets home to engage in some quality shed time. I've got a lot of projects and ideas on the go (damn that Woodwork Channel on the internet) but I spent most of the time sketching and doing some minor re-arrangements in the shed. The time really flies and I don't think about anything else (all right, I did give some thought to what to get this year at the Brisbane WWW show).

That's got to be good for the soul. Personally, I think its one of the best therapies around but I think that feeling may be jepoardised if I were to do it full time. [End of ramble.]

Cheers,
Keith

[dan_tom]

Hi All,
Garell, go for it! It can take a bit of searching but suitable, realistic income jobs are out there.

My story...
I had been in a "transition phase" working as a storeman earning good money thanks to shift loadings. I had been applying to pretty much any unqualified building industry job I could find to get into the industry. Danielle found an ad for a position with a small company making gates and other one-off items... all out of recycled hardwood, using traditional joinery techniques! I applied for the job and got it based on the photo album of our projects. The gates are the bread and butter but we also make pretty much anything else to custom order. The money is good and do what I love every day.
Started two weeks ago.

Cheers
Tom
PS. just read over this and realised that it sounds like something from an AA meeting, I post it anyway and have a drink later in the morning!

[Lignum]

For me, even if I could get the same pay doing woodworking, I think it would change my attitude towards an enjoyable hobby if I was required to do it for 8 hrs (or 10, whatever)

Good point Zen, but their are those like me who first thing in the morning walk into a room full of timber and machines and projects on the go etc; and think "it dosnt get any beter than this" I love getting up first thing and getting stuck into it. And you talk of keeping relaxed and not rushing, but its such a buz when you do the last all nighter on a job to be totaly exausted but in front of you is a magic peice of furniture that will be delivered to some very greatfull and excited customers. I love it

We should do a poll to see who loves getting up early and realy looks foward to getting stuck into their job and just before going to bed has only the thought of getting up and getting stuck back into it. And whether or not in their declining years they would look back and say "dam, wish i had of worked with timber and not worried so much about the extra dollars"

In a thread a while back regarding IT it was clear a great percentage of members are into that for a living and making lots more money than full time woodies, but a huge percentage of the population take home around $550 - $750 a week, and id rather be making furniture for that than alot of other similar paying jobs.

Toms a great example, he has chased and found his way into the industry and is very happy. How many others reading this are very happy with their jobs? i know i am and wouldnt be doing anything else.

So just like what Tom said, go for it, you wont get rich, but you will never ever be out of work. These days if you loose your job when your over 40 you can find your self on the scrap heap, but if you can make good solid furniture you will always find work right up until retirement

[echnidna]

beyond retirement Lignum

[Lignum]

beyond retirement Lignum

Bob im talking retirement from this mortal coil

[dazzler]

Hi Garell

It really is a hard decision to make about the future.

These are my thoughts

You obviously love your woodworking and there is probably a future for you there if thats the direction you wish to go. Unfortunately you have 4 kids and a wife you must adore and need to support so that adds much stress to any decision. Being 27 there is a while for you to jump in.

You also dont have any recognised trade skills so any employer will only offer the most basic of wages in the industry despite any great skills you may bring.

What about putting a plan on paper so that you have a solid base to go from.

If it was me I would do this;

1. Keep my current job. Stability is good for the soul.
2. Do as much woodwork courses as I can.
3. Start a small woodworking business where you sell at markets, shows etc. Maybe build a trailer that opens up to display all the goods. Get used to talking with people, have a pictorial of your larger pieces.
4. Do a small business course. Get the book "the E-myth revisited" which is about small business and why many fail, particularly if the business is something that is also a passion.
5. Build some nice stuff to sell and work out what it costs to produce each piece, what sells and what doesnt.
6. Make stuff the others dont. (One day we wont be able to drive down the road for all the damned coffee mills being made )
7. Get used to BAS and all the other small business crud that is not actually building the stuff.

My plan would be on a timetable so that I have gained valuable woodworking/business skills between now and when all the kids are at school. This would free mum up to go back to work, even if its only part time while the kids are at school, to supplement the family income.

Now even if you decide that the small business side is not for you at least you now have added skills that an employer would want.

"you can do BAS , you know about tax ....get in here "

Anyways thats how I would do it.

Good luck mate


dazzler

[Garell]

Hi all

Dazzler you are right, it is not a bad idear, I have thought about building projects and taking them to markets, was going to do toys mostly. Thats what I like to make (haven't been able to any for a while). The ony trouble with the job I am in, is that, yea its secure but that does not outway the treatment I recieve from my employer. I am hoping to be as lucky as Tom and score a job, using a portfolio of projects. I spent all day yesterday ringing every one in the local paper, from carpenters to cabnetmakers, I almost had some luck but its quiet at the moment. I have some mate's looking for me also.

Trouble is I have been asked to re-apply to the local council that I left from a year ago. I had thought of going back, there are new people on the crew so it might not be as bad as when I left. Its very secure, and I can get as much timber as I like. That way I can do the woodies stuff on the RDO's and weekends. Use it as a steping stone.

So I think that if I cant get a job after ringing around then I might have to bide my time till council advertise agin which is this month, and do it just for the interum.

I am so dam confused what to do. Torn from the love of trees and timber, the outdoors and the shed. But its a definate to get out of the private garden I work in at the moment. I am not happy there the way I thought I might have been and I dont get very good treatment. You never think that you are doing the right thing, because they are never there. When they are its no bells and whistles let me tell you.

Any way I can only see what happens, It will sort itself out in the wash.

Nice thought, to wake up and enjoy going to work, havent had that for a long time, maby I will get it back. I like the weekends, lots of shed time, and family.

Got that if my chest.

Jamie

[dazzler]

Talkin councils and all.

When I was an apprentice on the council my job at 8.45 was to boil the billy with an oxy torch.

Once it was boiling the head mechanic would come over and put in the tea....billy tea that is, and we could only drink it black.

The boss thought to help things along he would install an Electric Urn.

I thought it was cool until I saw it go tumbling down the driveway followed by the 'workers' who wouldnt come back until the billy came back .

Ahhhhh councils

dazzler

[Shedhand]

"Its getting harder to change carears in this day en age."

Ha! Try changin' ponies at 54.

I've worked the past 20 years - until March 2005 when I retired - in industrial relations and politics.

When I left school I wanted to do be an apprentice cabinet maker (in those days it was a respected trade) but there were none avaialable.

Now I've retired, I'm finally working with wood . I love it. And I'd love it if had to do it for a living. Trouble is, my work background and age precludes me from working in the trade.
If someone offered me 3 days a week in the industry, at 18 bucks an hour nett, I'd snap it up.
Cheers