jobs in the industry

[Garell]

I cant put my hands on the official price list for the mill bit it is around $8000 + . Problem is no one is willing to pay $100 an hour to have timber milled. The usable timber you get will depend on the health of the tree. So its a bit of a gamble.

As far as the building trade I agree, it is very labour intensive. But you try climbing trees for a living, climbing out on branches and pruning them and throughing them down to the groung crew, or doing a big removal, blocking down sections with a sthill 88 with a 3ft bar on it. Mate thats labour intensive. So the phisical side does not worry me.

I am 27 and still up in arms as to what to do, and, to boot have 4 great kids under the age of 10. So unfortunately my ambitions are limited to what I have to do to sport a family.

But enough of that. Its getting harder to change carears in this day en age.

Jamie

[Greolt]

You don't see a lot of people over 45, and most over that age look fairly beat up. .......................... Once you hit
the 40's it's down hill rapidly for the body if you're in construction.

You been reading my mail????:eek:

[mickp]

keep it as a hobby

[MathewA]

As far as the building trade I agree, it is very labour intensive. But you try climbing trees for a living, climbing out on branches and pruning them and throughing them down to the groung crew, or doing a big removal, blocking down sections with a sthill 88 with a 3ft bar on it. Mate thats labour intensive. So the phisical side does not worry me.

I am 27 and still up in arms as to what to do, and, to boot have 4 great kids under the age of 10. So unfortunately my ambitions are limited to what I have to do to sport a family.

But enough of that. Its getting harder to change carears in this day en age.

Jamie

Trust me I know all about tree work - did a few years with my brother, It's f()cking hard work.


I can't disagree with you more. Yes you have 4 kids but you're only 27 years old DONT WAIT it will only get harder. Forget the trades go back to school - your options increase tenfold and more. And if after you've gone to school you still want to be a cabinet maker or whatever, you still can. But if you go for being a woodworker now that's all you will ever be, unless you want to strive for being a janitor later. The wood trades have a path that only leads down. Schooling allows you to reach for the stars.

[Lignum]

MathewA should get out of the industry. He seems to be dark and down on it as he constantly has a go at it. Their would be thousands of furniture/cabinetmakers here in Aus who love what they do and with some overtime take home some good money. As iv said before i know cabinet fixers who take home in excess of 1k a week and furniture makers with some over time over 800. It mightnt be what IT people or Brain Surgeons take home but its a great way to make a living doing something you love.

[Garell]

I could not agree with you more MathewA, schooling can take you to the stars. Only of you can get the right course that is done at night. My wife cant work as 2 of our children are at home ( 9months old) so full time school is out of the question.

I also agree with Lignum that its good to work in something you love. Dont get me wrong I love trees and the money atm is good making around 40k a year, but just getting sick of it. But I might have a new lease on life when I go back tomorow after a 12 day break. I would love to go back to school but to do what I dont know.

Thanks again

Jamie

[Harry72]

Lignum, even though the cabinet makers you speak of earn excess a $1k pw... the average factory shiftwork job will pay that without any OT.
I'd love to take up my commission work full time but the truth is I can earn more profit with 1 12hr OT($550)than I can making large cabinets, our aussie throw away nature dictates it.
I think the only way you could make a reasonable wage from furniture would be to specialise in one or two piece's on a mass production basis, like chairs and tables made from crapiarta because thats what most everyday people buy.

[Lignum]

I agree with you Harry, but a 12 hour factory shift dosnt interest me, but 12 hours behind a work bench dose I know its a hard industry, but all im saying it isnt all doom and gloom like some here are making out

[journeyman Mick]

Jamie,
if you fancy working away for a few months (leave of abscence form work?) you could probably come to North Queensland to do some cyclone clean up work. I know that climbers here were getting much better than 40K per year before the cyclone. Got a contact in the industry of you're interested.

Matthew,
yeah working on the tools when you get past 40 gets harder, but hopefully by then you've maneuverd yourself into a position where you don't need to work too hard. I looked at the teaching too, got halfway through my degree but realised that it really wasn't for me. I've been self employed for most of my life and wasn't ready to work for something as inflexible as the education department.

I guess it comes down to what you enjoy. More money would always be nice but if it comes at the expense of your sanity or quality of life then it's not worth it. If you have a contractor's license, a van or ute, basic tools and a garage you can get ready cut and edged board and make a very good living knocking up kitchens ($70 - 100K P.A). It's not fine woodworking but it's not real hard work either and at least you get to tax deduct all your toys.

Mick

[Harry72]

Yep I agree to Lig, I would enjoy working behind my bench for 12hrs more than working on a furnace for 12hrs too, but my current financial situation wont allow it... might soon tho!

[Terry1]

Hello Mathew,I just noticed your post about there not been many tradesmen over the age of 45 on site.Maybe that applies to big sites or to where you are but down here (Riverina region)there are lots of men in that age bracket in the game.I read a piece about the average age of bricklayers in Vic been around 40.The kids around here seem to be staying at school longer and don't really seem interested in the building industry as a career choice despite the various government places set up trying to encourage apprentiships in the building game.

[RufflyRustic]

Mick - now that's an amazing offer.

Guys, here's another point of view/ current experience

My job at present is in doubt due to an IT workplace restructure. I have no idea what I'll be doing when I go back to work in June. Let me clarify, it's not the security or pay that's in doubt - yet, but what my duties and position title will be. I have to apply for positions in the new structure or else take on 'project' work. So even on holidays, I find I'm worrying about my job, self-worth at a place where I've worked for over 16 years. Is it any wonder I bury myself in sawdust every chance I get?

I love working with wood. I'm passionate about it, I practically live and breathe it. Don't get me started on it cause I'll talk till my voice gives out. Even HWMBO is realising how passionate I am, he bought me a lovely decent expensive drill and now a 1hp dust extractor as well. He even brings home some cypress for me now and then.

Recently I came across another female woodworker whose running her own business partnership in woodworking and furniture restoration. She's younger than me and just amazing. Naturally all this is making me re-think my career choice and wondering if my strong feelings would still survive if I went into woodwork full time, whether I could make a living from it here in Toowoomba. I honestly don't know.

As a result, I'm finding this thread extremely applicable and interesting.

cheers
Wendy

[echnidna]

Mick - now that's an amazing offer.

Guys, here's another point of view/ current experience

My job at present is in doubt due to an IT workplace restructure. I have no idea what I'll be doing when I go back to work in June. Let me clarify, it's not the security or pay that's in doubt - yet, but what my duties and position title will be. I have to apply for positions in the new structure or else take on 'project' work. So even on holidays, I find I'm worrying about my job, self-worth at a place where I've worked for over 16 years. Is it any wonder I bury myself in sawdust every chance I get?

I love working with wood. I'm passionate about it, I practically live and breathe it. Don't get me started on it cause I'll talk till my voice gives out. Even HWMBO is realising how passionate I am, he bought me a lovely decent expensive drill and now a 1hp dust extractor as well. He even brings home some cypress for me now and then.

Recently I came across another female woodworker whose running her own business partnership in woodworking and furniture restoration. She's younger than me and just amazing. Naturally all this is making me re-think my career choice and wondering if my strong feelings would still survive if I went into woodwork full time, whether I could make a living from it here in Toowoomba. I honestly don't know.

As a result, I'm finding this thread extremely applicable and interesting.

cheers
Wendy

Wendy,
Is it practical for you to do some home based IT work,
even just doing websites as an income source
so you can follow your heart and get into pro woodworking.

Your woodworking skills have improved so rapidly that I'm sure you would make a go of it.

Success really depends on your product line AND your marketing skills.

and unyielding determination to make it all work

[RufflyRustic]

Thanks for the comments Echidna

Lots of Food for thought there - marketing skills - noted Thanks.

I have the determination, but I also realise it's more than just a few people saying "you should sell these, go to the markets, set up a business". Easy to say, much much much harder to do and earn a living from it.

It's also scary as all get out not having that regular security of a paycheck coming in, but probably more rewarding...

Thanks
Wendy

[CameronPotter]

I haven't had too many people say that I "Should sell those..." but plenty of people have offered to take them off my hands free of charge.

Anyway, one thing that I am always wary of is turning your hobby into your profession - I find that once I NEED to do something it becomes a chore. It is something that I would keep in mind.

Mind you, that is maybe just me.

That all being said, if you aren't enjoying what you are doing (or feeling comfortable with it), then maybe it is time to try something else.

As for going back to school... I know some great mates who went back to school after working in industry (and deciding that mechanic work was going to lead them to an early grave). They did engineering - their practical experience was a great help, but their maths needed a bit of work. Anyway, they now have really good jobs (I mean REALLY good) and they are loving it. A few years of being poor really paid off. Mind you, they also had the luxury to be able to move back in with their parents to reduce costs. Study allowance isn't huge, but it is enough to live off - just.

Cam