What do you do for a living?

[429421Cowboy]

Sorry if this is a Sticky someplace and I missed it.
What does everybody do for a living so they can afford lead/moulds/pots/powder/primers/brass/lube/dies/presses/swage gear/lathes/gunsmithing tools/benches/casting shed/boolit traps, etc... to save money by reloading your own ammo?

I'll start it off, when i was ten i took out a $5,000 dollar Young Farmers loan from the USDA to buy four registerd bred Angus heifers that started my herd along with one my parents gave me, now I own 40 head of my own. I also work on our family ranch for the main herd and the share cows we run. I weld on the side, mostly metal art because of the market for western style art these days. I have worked for a taxidermist, was a water well driller's helper, and have guided for whitetails on the Missouri river the last four years and pretty much lived the young man's dream.
I now am a full time college student though, making my cowherd work for me finally instad of the other way around so i can hopefully become a game warden.

Have at it guys!

[starmac]

I just ride around in a truck, when I work that is. lol

[boltons75]

Fork Truck jockey at a GM supplier, we are a "just in time warehouse" for GM truck and bus, Flint assembly. You name the part on the trucks, except for sheet metal and frames, and we handle it.

[Echo]

Retired, but everything is paid for, so my USAF retirement and SS allow me some discretionary income. Before that - I was a management consultant for about 6 years. ISO 9000 International Quality System auditor, Certified Quality Engineer & Certified Quality System Auditor. Worked from Prudhoe bay to Ft Lauderdale, Boston to San Diego, and three western provinces of Canada. Before that, ran a children's unit for a psychiatric hospital (all my degrees are in mental health areas). Before that, full time student. Before that, full time USAF.

[nicholst55]

I'm one of them 'overpaid' federal employees that all the millionaires in Congress are whining about being the cause of the deficit. My job title is Equipment Specialist (Ordnance), and I work for Department of the Army. I get to play with (but not shoot) all kinds of military weapons. I might even get to shoot one once in a while when I move to my new job in Arizona.

In my previous lives I was an Armament Maintenance NCO in the Army, a corporate trainer, and a defense contractor.

I currently make a whopping $45K and change, FWIW.

[Jim]

Retired mechanical pipefitter/welder. Now I'm mining lead.

[Hickory]

Retired from General Motors,
My GM pension turned into a government teat.

[winelover]

Retired pipefitter from General Motors. Currently in Arkansas, trying to finish my new home, complete with shooting range so I can recycle my boolets.

Winelover

[Lloyd Smale]

retired electrical lineman

[garbear]

I work for a company that dries juice from plants like barley,oats, wheat grasses into powder. I am a chopper operator(harvest the grass). I also work in there production department in the winter when I am not chopping. I am also a volunteer fire fighter and city councilman.
Garbear

[Tonto]

I'm a National Park Superintendent. Started working at 12 delivering newspapers and been working ever since. Moved up from a newsie to working in a hospital kitchen at the end of high school then through college. Managed a 10000 acre private tract as a Forester/Wildlife Biologist for 8 years, got a graduate degree in the evening and started for Uncle Sam in 1988 and haven't looked back. Have worked in over 30 states and spent some time working in national parks all over eastern Europe. Three kids have tempered the hobbies....enjoying year two of the pay freeze too.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Part-time Electronic Tech/Industrial Electrician,
which leaves time for my Hobbies...lawn equipment repair, gardening/farmers market, cutting firewood...ect

[imashooter2]

I sit in a gray fabric covered box for 8 hours and shuffle paper. Occasionally, I'll solve a problem.

To the uninitiated, that would be a Production Engineer for The Boeing Company. I've been making Chinook Cockpits for the last 8 years. Before that, I was an ME and worked the Apache center section, 757, 767, 777 fixed leading edges and the 747 Spanwise Beam (part of the wing box).

[mktacop]

Retired from the US Air Force, now working as a Systems Engineer for a big Defense Contractor.

[white eagle]

at present I am a maintenance supervisor at a local gaming establishment
prior 15 years + I was a jouneyman bricklayer
10 years before that I was a machinist/qc inspector

[Brasso]

US Army retired, Social Security and some VA Disability.

Sam

[3006guns]

Retired due to a disability........and discovering how much fun I missed during all those years of pointless working!

[missionary5155]

Good morning
Independent Baptist Bible Church planter in southern Peru for the last 26 years. Work primarily in the Arequipa Valley system and also start churches in mountain villages. Fantastic life ! I get to ride two wheelers daily and cross some of the most beautiful desert you can imagine. Serving God is Great !
Mike in Peru

[jameslovesjammie]

I wash rocks. I am a Mudlogger in the Bakken Oil Field in North Dakota. I have been a warehouse manager (twice), auto center manager, order selector, college student, salesman, and lawn maintenance technician. I started working under the table at 14, as insurance in my home state didn't cover anyone under the age of 16.

[Calamity Jake]

QC manager in a small machine shop, but not for much longer as the owners (in there 70s) are retiring and have sold the building to a privet school next door.

[bruce drake]

I'm employed by the Army as a Public Affairs Officer. My job is to tell the Army's story to the American public when I am not in a combat zone so they appreciate the Army and how we responsibly manage thier tax money.

When I am deployed to nasty places. I am a Counter-Propaganda Operations Officer trying to tell the world the truth behind what the Taliban and other associated little Nasties are actually upto.

[bob208]

my first real job was picking grapes for .25 a basket. i was 12. mowed lawns and pitched hay also pumped a lot of gas when i was in high school. first full time job was a weldor's helper. moved up to weldor- fabricator. did that for 30 years. then learned to be a toolmaker. the last 5 years i was a maintence welder machinest. now i am retired. i do have my own welders and machine shop.

[Moonie]

I'm a UNIX/Linux systems/security administrator. I'm one of the geeks that secretly runs the world from behind the curtain. Currently working with a private company and FEMA to deliver EBS (Emergency Broadcast System) to tier 2 and 3 cell phone providers.

It's a great job but someone has to do it ;)

[Boondocker]

Right now I am wheeling a truck at night for a LTL company terminal to terminals but always home before my 14 is up but pack a bag in case lol. Was a mechanic for 28 years big trucks, shops kept closing up. 2 dealerships and 1 phone company, lots of lead. Hope to stay in a truck till retirement. Did 4 years working on packers, pay was good ,job stunk tho. 3 yrs union mech for Acme Markets, they closed in 95 in our area Northeast Pa. Built my own home and big butt garage with lift fully equipped to do mech repairs if need be. Knees are not agreeing from 30 years on concrete,but you never know what comes up. Raise chickens and going to fence in 4 acres to raise a beefer as when are living in uncertain times. Big garden keeps us busy also. Hard finding time to shoot except monthly smoke pole shoots.

[mktacop]

Good morning
Independent Baptist Bible Church planter in southern Peru for the last 26 years. Work primarily in the Arequipa Valley system and also start churches in mountain villages. Fantastic life ! I get to ride two wheelers daily and cross some of the most beautiful desert you can imagine. Serving God is Great !
Mike in Peru

You aren't by any chance associated with To Every Nation are you?

[Wayne Smith]

Licensed Clinical Psychologist - I really am a shrink!

[Moonman]

Retired Fortune 500 company Machinist and Safety Trainer.

[lbaize3]

Retired middle school assistant principal. Spend my days recovering from that job and enjoying this forum.

[Goatwhiskers]

Well, let's see: been a welder, metallurgy quality control in a steel mill, graduated TAMU in biomedical science, doctored cows in a feedlot, sold corn seed, came back down home and farmed for a few years, retired from 23 yrs as a USPS rural carrier. Now I just piddle in my shop with my guns and experiment with cast boolits. Relaxing. Goatwhiskers

[contender1]

I currently own my own business. I am a state certified Animal Damage COntrol Agent. Mostly I do a lot of home repairs to prevent critter problems. That & remove the currently offending critters.

[xbeeman412]

Was a industrial insturment/electrician for many years , went to sea as a electrician,fireman/watertender,oiler for a few years.worked as a mechanic. Raised bees/honey comercialy. Have been retired since 1995 and back in the bee buisness for FUN.

[gnoahhh]

My first job was grubbing up dropped apples in a huge orchard. Worked all month on my hands and knees in the August sun for a total of $90. As I recall most of it went for .22 shells and shotshell primers, shot, and powder (instead of the school clothes that Mom decreed). 45 years and a lot of water under the bridge later I'm now semi-retired working part-time as the un-supervised resident machinist/woodworker supporting the laboratories in a small liberal arts college- essentially they pay me to tinker (and do the odd gun-related projects). At least I'm not grubbing up bruised apples anymore!

[AggieEE]

Got my electrical engineering degree from TAMU worked for Tandy/RadioShack then Interlogic Trace. Now I repair ultrasonic cleaners and teach electronics part time at St. Phillip's a local jr. college.

[TJF1]

Licensed electrican for 50 years. Retired in 2005
gunsmith for 15 years also retired.

[blackthorn]

Left school with a partial grade 11 /56. Held several jobs in the following year and then next 32 years working in the plywood manufacturing industry. Good old multinational Co. closed the first mill (20 years there) in /77. Moved to a 'sister' mill for the next 12 years (last 5 overlapped with next job). Mill closed /89 and went full time running a food bank (that I set up /84 for the BC Federation of Labour) and appeal representative work for unemployed folk. Left there in /92 to work as a labour rep on an administrative tribunal hearing appeals from decisions made by the BC Workers Compensation Board. Became a Vice Chair for that system just before it changed to the Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal (WCAT). Retired in 2004 and moved to Kamloops BC. Did some contract adjudication for WCAT for next 2 years and then 2 short contracts as a Worker's Advisor for that system, finally retiring in 2007. Life is good!!!

[Rick N Bama]

My first paying job was working as a "Bag Boy" after school & on Saturdays for the A&P Tea Co. After HS I worked as a Stocker until joining the USAF in Feb '67. Getting out in '71 I worked in a steel plant down in Birmingham until I coaxed South Central Bell into hiring me as an Installer, a job I liked so much that I retired, doing the same work, in '02. After retiring I started working part-time for my Daughter & SIL's Farm Tractor Dealership which has just recently merged with a larger company. My job will be ending withn the next few weeks which will find me unemployed for the first time since I turned 16 years old. I'll soon be 65 so I guess I'll just see if I can live off of my meager retirement & SS.

Rick

[bowfin]

I am an Information Technology guy at a public power company in Nebraska.

I wish I would have stayed in Tool & Die work, which I done for ten years prior. It pays better around here, and there's always government projects to do during the lunch hour.

I REALLY wish I could find a job planting and tending trees that would pay the bills.

[fullofdays]

Im a Technology Consultant working in the financial services sector. it keeps the lights on.

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk

[geargnasher]

I sit in a gray fabric covered box for 8 hours and shuffle paper. Occasionally, I'll solve a problem.

To the uninitiated, that would be a Production Engineer for The Boeing Company. I've been making Chinook Cockpits for the last 8 years. Before that, I was an ME and worked the Apache center section, 757, 767, 777 fixed leading edges and the 747 Spanwise Beam (part of the wing box).

I'm initiated. I built thrust reverser bundles for the 37/57 line at the Corinth plant, them to triple seven flowline for a while, then caught a break and did some work on various ISS and Atlas rocket projects. That meant a lot of walking around in a white coat keeping the PAs on track and trying to figure out what the heck the guys in the fabric covered boxes were wanting us to actually build! Two years of that Union nonesense was enough for me, went back to school for automotive service and busted my knuckles for another 20 years. I "retired" last year in disgust, been working for my wife for the past few months. I smell a brainless, simpleton job in my future, seems the underachievers get better wages these days anyway.

I do lots of little side jobs for my play money, I have a pretty complete woodoworking and metal fabrication shop at home, and take care of vehicles for a few friends where I get paid what I'm really worth and they get the service they deserve.

Gear

[sagamore-one]

Printing pressman with three Journeyman certificates by trade.
Violin maker and boolit caster by hobby. Grandpa by the Grace of God.

[dragonrider]

Machinist for a company that make turbine wheels for jet engines, air frame parts for all of the major aircraft makers.

[bearcove]

Pipe welder to make money, boatbuilder and fisherman to get rid of it.

Guns, another hobby of course, since I'm here.

[Uncle Jimbo]

I am self employed. Own a bar. Nice place.
Take a look.

https://www.facebook.com/GoodtimesUtah
:drinks::drinks::drinks:

uncle jimbo

[troyboy]

Journeyman heavy equipment mechanic for 20 years. The real deal. Went to BSU college of Technology and then served a 6000hr apprenticeship. Now I am a Field service rep for a manufacturer

[Dirtdgger]

I was in the oilfield construction and drilling business got tired of hiring and firing people because they wanted a paycheck but didn't want to work. Sold-out in 2009 never looked back. Now I take my granddaughter to and from school every day come home get my 14 month old grandson riled up then leave him with my wife. I have about fifty cows and calves own a oil lease on property that's want makes my living. I do some consultant work and that's my money I use to feed my casting and reloading addiction.


Fare well and keep your powder dry.

[tinsnips]

I own a plumbing, heating, and ac business for the last 35 years .

[Jammer Six]

I'm a retired stripper and a trophy husband.

[felix]

Six is nothin', bud. Artic-only residing whales have nine feet. ... felix

[RU shooter]

Work as a machine operator in a sheet steel fab. shop for the better part of 25 yrs . Operating press brake,folder,shear, roll forming mills, slitter lines, water jet ect. Also did a few years doing NDT work at a testing lab. I have three growing kids that eat everything in sight so I have NO extra money.........!

[Marvin S]

Worked as a kid with my dad in building demo and house moving then was a Maytag repairman for a few years untill I could get hired on full time as a air national guard technician in machine and welding work.

[btroj]

Retail pharmacist

[trooperdan]

Retired army paratrooper after 22 years, retired Dept of the Army civilian after 24 years, now just shooting & reloading

[doctorggg]

Disabled/retired dentist. Just got into casting boolits in January 2012. You are entirely correct the start up cost is tremendous. Greg

[archmaker]

Done a lot of different things, pretty much in this order Gas Truck driver, Repo Guy, Auditor, Taxes, LEO, Chief Accounting Officer, VP of Technology. But through it all one thing has been true for the last 20+ years - technology security, and for the last 4 it is all I do.

I am one of those guys that can break into places, pick locks, and hack your computer system while lying to the employees about how great they are and would you mind giving me your password and username, but don't worry it will be safe with me. :)

Don't do it illegally, I always have a signed letter authorizing me to do my job, always! (now "Bob" who is sitting beside me is another story, but he is not malicious)

[Stick_man]

I am a bean counter. Been counting beans for 20 yrs now and for the past 5 have been paying them out in several different currencies. Prior to learning how to count beans, I spent about 8 yrs in a sheet metal shop doing custom fabrication work with light gage metals, primarily aluminum, copper, and galvanized.

[badbob454]

laid off ford dealership mechanic and parts man for 30 years , got a truck drivers lic for class a hazmatt and doubles triples and tanker , couldnt find a guy to give a newbie a chance ,,...now i deliver parts for napa auto parts at a minimum wage went from 22.50 hr working at ford to 9.00 hr. after delivering parts for two years, but i can still afford to eat , not much more ...

[donnis]

Enterprise software support. Support software our customers use to manage the content on their web-sites.

[Huskerguy]

Worked through high school stacking hay bales. Went to a technical college to learn auto collision. Did that for 10 years and then taught at the same college I learned at for another 15 years. Got into secondary education, was a principal for three years (that is a terrible job now), now the VP of Administrative Services at a small technical college. I manage the college money, IT and facilities. I am 58 and have the points to retire, just wish everything was paid for.

[Love Life]

I walk around, get angry at things, think of the best way to break things, break them, and then drag my knuckles back to the starting point after breaking whatever needed to be broken. That really is my job description.

[kodiak1]

Born a farm kid. Worked in a Grocery Store in Jr. and Sr. High. 9 years on drilling rigs.
Heavy Duty Mechanic and Truck Driver for 26 years.
Contract Operator in the Oil Patch looking after Oil and Gas Wells. I call this semi retired!
Been doing this for 7 years.

Ken.

[DIRT Farmer]

Raised on a dairy and tobacco farm, 3 1/2 years of collage, got almost drafted, fooled them I joined. ran a 250 head cow/calf operation went into ag construction, confinment feeding systems and wood componet manufactoring, left to much money behind on one job, looking to feed my family started working for local sherrifs deptas a part time officer, EMS same time part time, got my EMT/P went full time with hospital based service. Kept farming till last year, have been taking care of a small oil field- production. Currently have a small cow calf operation and doing some CSA farming.

My revised retirment plan, work till I die.

[snuffy]

I'm now retired, just over a year now.

I started working for the neighbor, a small farm, when I was 14. It involved working as a farm hand on a part time basis. Baling hay was the worst job I ever did. That tin roofed barn was at least 130 degrees in the July heat, stacking those 100 pound bales in the mow was torture. But, 5 bucks for a days work was big money back in 1960. That, and a dollar/week allowance was the only money I had, I learned the value of hard work and it's rewards.

4 years in the AF, when I got out, I started at J.I. Case garden tractor plant as a welder. Worked there for 17 years. Got layed off, went from there to a gunshop owned by a buddy that I shot silly-wets with. Stayed there for 6 years, he also rebuilt hydraulic cylinders as a side business.

Left there, started at what was the Rockwell axle plant just as it was sold to Meritor. Then it was sold to a private holder called axle tech. Now general dynamics owns it. I spent the first 2 years as a welder, a couple of years running a turret lathe, and the last 8 years as an assembler. 12 years and out at 65, I couldn't be happier to be retired.

[Adam10mm]

Left there, started at what was the Rockwell axle plant
My grandfather worked there his whole life. Retired in the 90s. PM me and you may have known/met/heard of him. Oshkosh is my birthplace.


My day job is working second shift at a large manufacturing facility (won't say the industry, as there's only one here and it's a small town/ PERSEC). I work in two plating departments where we plate different metals onto other metals. It's real exciting. Trust me. I'm also the shift's lab technician responsible for chemical titrations of bath samples, bath additions, and associated record keeping.

My side business is I'm the founder/owner of a firearm, ammunition, and bullet manufacturing company. Very tiny. Been in business since 2006. The first and only 07/02 in Upper Michigan.

[taminsong]

I've been a fisherman in the 1990's when after vocational school I got nothing to do. Been chasing the "Tuna Fever" for a while and then worked as a communication operator in electric company when the the first one didn't turned out good.

Now, I run a business, a food supplement, all natural herbs that caters to cancer patients, since 2008. The business is making good. It is actually a family run business, the capital was taken from my Mom's retirement benefits and that's what started it.

This is where I get all the money that I spent to my addiction in casting! Sometimes, as a sideline, used to do some buy and sell which also makes money but its not permanent.

[MT Gianni]

I started growing tomatoes for my uncle and sold them in front of our house at age 6. I have a degree and experience as a diesel mechanic and two years as an apprentice plumber/heating tech but since 1980 have worked for gas utilities. I started as a serviceman and for the last 6 years have dome measurement work in SW Montana with occasionall trips to most of the State W of Billings.

[ErikO]

I'm a 40 year old computer guy, been at it for going on 16 years. Recently stopped working for jerks and got a good job at a hosting provider that lets me hang out here and a few other places while my servers are being built and nothing is on fire here.

I've stocked shelves at a liquor store, cleaned aisles in a foodstore, mixed car paint, done light warehouse work, worked on PCs and Apple computers and now work almost exclusively on Mircosoft-based servers.

At some point I'll be smelting wheelweights and casting boolets, for now I am an info sponge, giving back any knowledge I may have picked up when I can.

[bbs70]

Railroad track worker (Gandydancer) after high school
2 yeras gun bunny for U.S.Army
Steel mill labor.
Copper smelting foundry 28 1/2 years, laborer, heavy equipment operator,over head crane operator.
Hated it, but it helped raise 2 daughters and pay for our house.
6 years now as a concrete mixer truck driver.
Good pay, straight days and weekends off, I like my job.

[edler7]

Retired x-ray tech. Spent 30 years working in a hospital for high security mental patients and convicts. After that, anything is coasting downhill.

[1Shirt]

Retired AF, Retired Safety Professional, currently a part time studio potter!
1Shirt!

[quilbilly]

Own my own fishing tackle wholesale business and get a check from Uncle Sugar for 20 years in the Navy. I don't get to fish when the fishing is good, I have to make sure you guys have the gear you need to keep fishing and lose gear.

[hiram1]

Im a millright supervisor But not for long.i love my job and happy to do it but it is time

[Boondocker]

Hey there Bad

Try the Ltl companies. I wrenched for 28 yrs,big trucks now I drive for Old Dominion nighttime linehaul pulling doubles. Pay is good and LTL"s seem to be always looking. OD, Estes,Fed EX at least in my area.A lot of guys don;t like driving in the N E winters tho.

[DeanWinchester]

I work in the family business. A used tire store.


...and NO, I don't have a clue where all the wheel weights go!:castmine:

[Charley]

Entomologist. Been in the pest management industry for 30 years plus.

[firefly1957]

Retired after 30 years working At Truck & Coach Pontiac Michigan.

[dsmjon]

Work for a local gun store. Before that, I did role playing for a small group of soldiers out of Bragg/Camp Mackall. Before that, I used a Bachelor'a degree in Fisheries Management to become an ASE/Chrysler master mechanic, automatic trans & drive able specialist.

[sparky45]

Retired now for 8 months and still haven't gotten the routine down pat. I was a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist); Gas Passer for short. The first 25 years were exciting and enjoyable, the last 10 was anything but. Glad to be away from the hectic pace. Miss the people I worked with, but not the job. Started my medical background with a 4 yr stint in the military (USN) 1965-69. Now its all about casting, shooting and repeating. That I can understand and enjoy.

[41 mag fan]

Gigilo by trade....I'm serious till my wife sees my post....She'll bust her bra laughing so hard.

Now for the serious.....

Underground coal miner

I like the thought of gigilo better tho

[odfairfaxsub]

substation electrician today, before that i was a residential electrician out of high school, before that i was a cashier at a grocery store and i assembled mowers on the weekends and mowed grass after school when i wasnt cashiering.

[dk17hmr]

I work for the state of Wyoming as a construction materials tester for the Department of Transportation. I basically make sure the materials our highways are built from are up to spec and will hold up....very interesting job and contrary to popular belief I as a state employee work my tail off daily. When you drive and pass 3 state guys on the phone, 2 watching, and one with a shovel working...Im the one with the shovel.

Before that I worked for a private firm doing the same thing, before that I was a cabinet builder, before that I was a carpenter, before that I was a block mover/mud mixer for a mason. Also worked at a fire sprinkler plant and an ACE hardware while going to high school.

[Bullet Caster]

Unemployed. Not retired yet. Income from VA disability only. BC

[The Black Pearl]

Lic insurance agent and part owner of our families seven ins offices all over northern Michigan

[Dale in Louisiana]

Electrical specialist for an interstate natural gas pipeline company, responsible for 24 compressor stations and two offshore platforms and an LNG plant, plus I'm the 'go-to guy' on things pertaining to high voltage industrial power systems up to 500 kV, although the highest we have now is 69 kV.

dale in Louisiana

[BD]

I build things, houses mostly

BD

[LAH]

Mow grass till out of school at 17 & in the Army 4 days later, 1968-71 & back home. Truck driver, underground coal miner, tanker driver, mechanic, welder, building tech. Now days work part time cutting trees for a friend. On my time, process firewood, cast bullets, & preach The Gospel in southern West Virginia. Owner/Operator Dry Creek Bullet Works.

[nanuk]

I wash rocks. I am a Mudlogger in the Bakken Oil Field in North Dakota. I have been a warehouse manager (twice), auto center manager, order selector, college student, salesman, and lawn maintenance technician. I started working under the table at 14, as insurance in my home state didn't cover anyone under the age of 16.

JLJ: my home is Arcola, in SE Sask. I'm a bit familiar with the Bakken....

I'm an Air Traffic Specialist working for NavCanada, Canada's operator of the Air Navigation System. My company controls all the airspace over Canada, and shares a bit with the US along the border, as well as provides the Control service for most of the North Atlantic.

but me, I work in an Airport tower at a low density airport, and love every minute of it. The pay ain't great but it pays the bills.

[reloader28]

I'm 41.
My dad, brother and I have a construction company.
We build everything from fences to houses and everything in between.
We have a metal shop and a wood shop. We've built everything from small metal wall decorations to elevators and machines/equipment in the metal shop.
I build furniture for people in my spare time in the wood shop. In fact my last piece went into the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. Actually, its a display rack for a famous New York chef that owns a local water bottling plant.

I've farmed and ranched and with the con. co., I can run basically any kind of farm and heavy construction equipment there is.

I could go on for hours about some of the things and places we've built, you'd have to see them to believe it.

We raise and butcher our own critters and harvest our own garden. To unwind I drink home brew and eat homemade pickeled goodies and shoot homecast boolits right outside my house on a 1000yd range 3 or 4 nights a week.:drinks:

[Reload3006]

I am a part time farmer Journeyman Machinist/Tool n Die maker now working as a calibration Tech at the Boeing company in St. Louis making Bombs and Combat aircraft and various other Aerospace related items.

[keyhole]

My job is in the whole grain food industry. I am involved with many aspects of the business- product development, legal and regulatory issues, quality control, etc. The job is very stressful with a lot of deadlines and pressure but the pay keeps me in the casting, reloading, and shooting game.
The company is a small family-owned business in Tacoma. The owner is 90+ and served on the Missouri during WWII. He witnessed the Japanese surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay. Some of his stories of kamikaze attacks are pretty hairaising. He remembers all the details like it happened yesterday. He even described all the steps involved in getting a 40mm gun ready to fire. It is a privilege to work for him and his company.

[southpaw]

I am a paper maker (bounty and charmin to be exact). It is a very interesting process taking a tree and turning it into something that you can wipe your butt with. Before that I worked in a metal frabricating shop as a painter. Before that I worked with/for my Dad as a contractor doing anything from concrete to roof work. My brother is still working as a contractor and I will help him on some jobs when/if he needs it.

Jerry Jr.

[PAI-Scott]

Engineer – My company specializes in process controls for food, dairy and beverage plants. My only job as an adult. Started 31 years ago right after high school, working the metal fab shop, moved into the electrical fab shop after a couple of years, went to college, and moved into engineering.

Got into reloading and casting to save money, I swear I haven’t saved a dime yet. I’ve made peace with that, now it’s just a fun hobby.

[Bert2368]

Pyrotechnics and special effects company owner/operator.

http://www.hollywoodpyrotechnics.com/

Yes, I blow things up for a living!

And if you're in the upper Midwest and want to do the same part time- email me. Going to run a training class for outdoor fireworks operators in East central MN on May 5th. We work in MN, WI, IA, ND, SD and NE mostly.


(Actually, I end up filling out paperwork and gettining the materials and trucks ready for my crews to take out more than shooting these days. Price of being somewhat successful in the business, I guess)

[Beau Cassidy]

Nurse Practitioner. I have been doing orthopedics for about 11 years now. Prior to that a lot of trauma ER stuff in Jackson, Mississippi which is behind enemy lines. Lots of terminal ballistics. My claim to fame is one of my degrees is from The Mississippi University for Women- no joke!

[badge176]

I drive a 'black and white' cab for a suburban city (no charge, one-way rides downtown to select destinations - County Jail, Detox or Psych unit mostly). White I wear a navy blue polyester uniform it's over a Kevlar vest and most days I should pull on a white and black striped Referee's jersey since I get to 'call' personal and technical 'fouls' as well as distribute penalties. I help the 'hosedraggers' cut folks out of wrecks and occasionally get to drive real fast and mess up all the traffic lights along the way! I haven't birthed a baby in a car (yet) but I did do CPR on a 24 yr old who survived his heart attack! Almost nobody says 'thank you', but they do demand 'what took you so long' when they call for services. I've kicked in doors and tracked people in the fresh MN snow, and my lunch break is often interrupted. AND I Love my job (most days)!!!

[LAH]

Loving this thread.

[Freightman]

Retired (injury) Freight hand, truck driver. for Yellow Freight Systems. Now a crossing guard for the traffic dept. in Amarillo, I walk the kids across a very busy street morning and afternoon. Best job I ever had just don't pay much.

[zac0419]

I'm a pilot. I have a pretty good amount of time in turbo-props and a few private jets. Three years ago I got furloughed (polite way of saying laid off), found a flying job overseas, and now I spend my tax money on what I want (molds, revolvers, and leverguns). I make it back 3-4 trips a year to play with my toys.

The aviation money is better outside the US but I'd give it ($$) up in a heart beat for a decent flying job back in Colorado.

[midnight]

Retired 8yrs from a Hospital/Commercial medical laboratory management. Watched the field change from glass pipets and test tubes & a spectrophotometer to computer operated instruments and isotope labeled antibodies that do everything for you. Glad I'm gone. Still get together with the old employees several times a year. Now I do what I really like to do.

Bob

[waksupi]

I build guns, and would take on another part time job away from home, if someone would be hiring in this area. I am also a freelance gynecologist.

[rexherring]

I work for an 8 county Health Department in southwest North Dakota as an Environmental Health inspector for the past 32 years.

[winchester85]

logger, sawmill operator, caretaker

used to be a framing contractor, but cant find anything to frame right now

was a race car crew chief for a couple years too, kind of miss racing sometimes.

[Olevern]

Retired state LEO, now working for pennies for a "wrap around" psychological services company in the schools (wherever they send me within a three county area).

My job consist of providing emotional and behavioral support for children with behavioral problems that preclude their inclusion in regular classrooms.

Work side by side with the assigned children, (supposed to be transfering skills to the teacher as well), chase them down hallways, prevent some from self-harming, go to the child's home some evenings to teach caregivers parenting skills, travel in a very rural area sometimes fifty or more miles to find the parents not home for the appointment (no pay if child not provided services), no milage ever, no matter what or how far they send me, time paid only when child is engaged by t.s.s. (theraputic staff support) worker (that's me), so when the school psychologist shows up to take child to her office, my time stops, time must be rounded down to the last complete fifteen minute block (so sorry we're not paying you for that time you worked...didn't meet out fifteen minute block requirement).

Minimum educational requirement Bachelor's degree in psychology or social work plus at least two years related experience....Now...get this ... company I work for gets $55.00 for each hour I put in with a kid; they pay me $12.00.

Oh, and there's a ongoing education requirement of 20 hours approved training per year, that's your responsibility to meet. Man, I don't know if i could do this stuff without my pension.

Needless to say, there's a very high turn-over rate among co-workers.

With all that said, I wouldn't do this for this money if there wasn't a great deal of personal satisfaction involved, but there are days when I'm working with a special education teacher who makes $55,000 to $60,000 a year who doesn't get it and spends the day contradicting herself, giving expectations to kids she doesn't enforce, doesn't keep her word when she makes a verbal contract with a kid, changes the rules so frequently that even I (let alone the kid) can't keep track of what expectation is in force at any given time, yells at kids who are non-compliant, rewards bad behavior etc., etc., etc. And at $12.00 an hour, I'm supposed to teach the teacher child management skills.

Not to say all the special education teachers are this way, but I have had my share of them.

To be fair, I have also met dedicated, competent teachers who are a joy to work with and whose assigned children are very lucky (I would say blessed) to have them.

Guess I'll do this until I decide I've had enough fun.

It's an adventure every day.

[OBIII]

I maintain the emergency Radio Transmitters for the National Weather Service in my assigned district (Total of 15 Radios). And after all the money spent by obama on the "Stimulus", I still maintain 3 transmitters that were built in the late 60's early 70's time frame. Your tax dollar at work doing the maximum good.

[puddledog]

Master electrician.

[clodhopper]

Started stocking shelves at 12, deliverd papers, pumped gas, fixed truck tires,ranch hand, roughneck, truck driver, made log homes, and milked cows. At 30 years old went to work on the green chain at a saw mill. In 19 years I worked through every non magement job there, except millwright, and was saw filer when I left. The job was a very bad remake of "The Bridge Over The River Kwai" But the overtime raised my girls, and got me out of debt.
Now six years into building log homes, and working for a good small company doing it.
A few more years and if the entire economy doesn't swirl down the drain, I may be able to scew off more.
Started reloading at 17 with a lee loader, and casting at 27 with a lee single cavity 7mm mould.

[plmitch]

Hammer slinging ramrod for a mid size Bay area construction company.

[BorderBrewer]

Delivered papers at 12 years old, worked in a wrecking yard through high school and college. 4 years in the USAF where I learned electronics. Been working in communications for 25 years now with my last 15 in wireless.

[lead-1]

Forced retirement (disabled), for the 24+ previous year I done all types of work. Worked for an apple company, an auto salvage yard, oil rigs, made mold liners for Timkin, volunteer firefighter/emt, ran a mill and calendar for a rubber company and was a maintenance man for a molding company.
Wasn't any of it going to make a very good retirement but I stayed busy and sometimes worked two jobs, now I'm doing good on some days to mow the lawn.

[358wcf]

Raised on a sheep ranch in Humboldt County, near Eureka, CA. No money in sheep during the 1950s 60s and 70s, so we sold the flock- our cash crop was douglas fir timber- GI Bill (5years US Army) got me through college- farmed winegrapes near Lodi, CA for about 10 years- been working in the insurance industry as a farm and ranch underwriter since 1978- good, honest work- not much pay, good benefits-
got my two daughters thru college, now paying off their student loans, wondering how I'll ever retire????
All I own is my home, and I'm lucky to still have that in these times- my wife works hard as a nurse- sure helps pay the bills- Guess I'm one of the lucky ones!
Wish my old legs would leg me walk a bit better!
Chuck 358wcf

[HDS]

Just an IT guy at this small company (10 people or so). I work with complete computer illiterates and most of my time is taken up by saying "yes that's just adobe reader wanting to update, you should let it" and similar stuff.

The remaining 10% of my time I do pretty much anything remotely computer related in the company, we run our webserver and mailserver and so forth, so nothing is contracted out. So I keep that going, maintain the backup schedules, develop our website and internal systems.

I also got some education in layout & design back in the late 90s so I handle our advertising as well when that is called for. For all this I am woefully underpaid but I have gotten lazy in an otherwise cushy job.

[skeettx]

RETIRED,

Air Force ( missile ops and munitions) , Pantex (Nuc Weapons Factory) Production Manager,

http://www.pantex.com/

So with mil retired pay, VA disability, Pantex retirement, and Social Security, I get by and have two coins to rub together.

Masters Degree in Engineering

[nueces44]

I am a Journeyman Electrician since 1967. Still working, restoring Texas Governor's Mansion , which was firebombed about 3 years ago.
Have worked since I was 15. Like my job still, but watching the construction self destruct by cheap foreign workers.

[EMC45]

I work for my Rich Uncle..........................

[1bluehorse]

I think this is a great thread, very interesting. Also, anyone else notice not one, nada, zip, lawyer on this thread???? at least no one admits to it..[smilie=l:

Grew up on a small farm and started out buckin hay as a kid. Military, college, a couple jobs, then 35 years as a BNSF hoghead. (the job that ate my brain) Moved back to the country life 15 years ago, Retired 5 years ago .........and I'm still buckin hay :killingpc

[PanaDP]

I'm a camera assistant. I care for the camera, lenses, and accessories, and keep things in focus on TV shows, movies, commercials, and any other kind of media that wants to pay me.

[makicjf]

AFA Certified Journeyman Farrier; been shoeing horses for 15 years. 11 1/2 years I was self employed. The last 3 1/2 I have been the farrier for the College Of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M.
Jason

[WildmanJack]

After 15 years as a LEO, I quit and became a paramedic. Transferred to the Fire Dept and retired in 2001. Now I'm a dixieland Jazz banjoist, and have formed my own Charitable foundation. Young Musicians Education Foundation Inc. We help kids to afford music lessons.
That's about it !!!
Jack

[Valley Forge]

Grew up mowin' lawns in the neighborhood and delivering newspapers on my bicycle. Flipped burgers, pumped gas, airbrushed t-shirts, bank teller, sound mixer with a band trying to make it in the music business. Turned an interest in music and technology into a job with a professional sound company providing gear and services to everything from TV to Churches, Theatre, Film, Schools, Recording and Corporate stuff. Originally a customer, I started there not long after I could legally buy a beer and eventually bought the company. No rich uncles, no degree and no handouts from anybody. A lot of hard work for 35+ years. Two fine kids with a woman I probably don't deserve and I am grateful on a daily basis.

[Catshooter]

Thirty four years as a construction electrician. A bit of residential, a lot of commercial and a whole bunch of industrial.

Retired now and loving it. I hate getting shocked, that 480 volt really makes me scream like a little girl.


Cat

[rockrat]

Farmed, aircraft mechanic, not a lawyer(one year of law school then rest of family started dying--had to quit), petroleum geologist for decades, EMT for a short while, and have a tiny (and I mean tiny) oil and gas production company. Semi-retired, gotta try and beat the big boys if I can.

[crazy mark]

Hospital Engineer for almost 38 years. One more year to go. Limited Maint electrician lic, low voltage electrical lic, Pneumatics, plumbing, A/C, R and heating. Welding and machinist. Senior team lead and deal with life safety and construction. Instruct the new guys so I can retire. My motto is if it isn't broken I can't fix it. Spent 4 years in the coast Guard as a BT/EN/DC/MM which amounted to the Machinery Tech rating.

[Russell James]

Started off as a teen in coal mines and power generation where I completed my apprenticeship as a fitter and turner. Became a Commonwealth LEO for a while and now am a Prison officer. Job sucks but hours are great !

[kbstenberg]

27 years working as a laborer on road construction. Now I'm at 7 years working in a factory making French Fries.

[William Yanda]

I was one of the last of the draftees-extended priority for 90 days, remember the lottery, drafted in April, Draft suspended in June, abolished in September. 90 days early out to return to college. Sold radio advertising til the station was sold. DHIA supervisor "milk tester" for 19 + years. Lab manager testing windows and doors for rain and wind penetration, and PT Hardware Associate at HD. Now I install playgrounds anywhere in upstate NY. That keeps the wolf away from the door. I recycle aluminum and resell garage sale items on Ebay or CL to fund my hobby.

[Dale in Louisiana]

Sure seems to be a lot of electrical types in this crew. Or maybe I just pay too much attention to my brothers.

dale in Louisiana

[starmac]

Very, very few teachers.
Zero lawyers.
Zero politicians.

There has to be some sort of statement here. lol

[wills]

Very, very few teachers.
Zero lawyers.
Zero politicians.

There has to be some sort of statement here. lol

Try again.

[starmac]

Try again.

Did I miss one. lol

[Jimbo2]

Geologist - for about 20+ years now. its nice to work with stuff that's older than your great-grandma.

[wills]

Did I miss one. lol

Well, they may not be posted in this thread, but there are lawyers and at least one politician.

[Beekeeper]

Worked in Fathers Machine (actually grew up there) until joining the Navy, Spent 25 in the Navy, Retired ! Worked for a Major Airline for 17 years, Retired, Started and operated a Beekeeping business for 10 years, sold it and retired,
Moved to Southern Ca and completely retired.
Now all I do is play with guns ,fish and sit on the porch and watch the worker bees get up and go each morning.


Skeettx,
Where did you live when you worked for PanTex?


beekeeper

[Blue Hill]

I'm currently a Safety Specialist at a Potash Mine. I was a Millwright for many years and then became the Safety Coordinator/Maintenance Supervisor working at the Canadian subsidiary of Morton Salt. After 35 years, I retired and took my pension and went to work at the potash mine, across the road. I work at the potash mine and the salt plant pays me every day for not showing up!
Life's Good. [smilie=w:

[chris12]

i make wiring harnesses for miller welders. pretty boring stuff but it pays my bills and keeps me shooting, which is what its all about.

[palmettosunshine]

In my current iteration I am the internet manager and backup finance manager for a Buick & GMC dealership. Prior to that I was a corporate sales trainer. Before that I spent 5 years with the American Red Cross in blood services doing everything from phlebotomy to training nurses in safe blood collection. Prior to that I was in the restaurant business (my degree is in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management) doing everything from managing restaurants for others to owning several of my own. Somewhere in there I spent 4 years as Real Estate Appraiser and I'm sure I'm missing a few along the way. Spent my teenage years working in peach sheds in central SC. Still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

[mold maker]

Lawn maintaince for school system at 12, small engine mechanic till 18.
Electrician, plumber,carpenter till 22. Pattern maker and mould maker in plastics for 39.5 years. Now retired playing Paw Paw to four Grandkids.

[makicjf]

My education is in political science and history: my intent as a foolish, idealistic boy was to be a constitutional lawyer. After a two con-law courses I learned the hard fact that government can not be limited by law (the framers New this and intended the second amendment as a limiting factor .any American regime can utilize the regulation of commerce clause said has been interpreted and utilized to institute itself and its will between the people and actual freedom. When I figured this out I was crushed and lost interest in being a lawyer in a white hat. I worked for an industrial contractor for a year and trained horses. Then took off out West and rode for trainers for. A few more.met my first wife and learned that 250 a week and a bunkhouse bed does not work for most women. Over to horse shoieng school, had an apprenticeship and built a business. 15 years later I work for the cvm at Texas a&m. In a manner of speaking, aware gun owners are the only limiting factor in representative government in a sense we are all constitutional lawyers.

[Roosters]

Geologist - for about 20+ years now. its nice to work with stuff that's older than your great-grandma.
I am a retired field supervisor for a core drilling company (32years) worked with a lot of geologist all over the country Jimbo2 might know you ?? :drinks:

[Norseman]

I'm currently working as a System Engineer at FMC Technologies in Norway. Been at the company for 6 years.

I've also worked with glass to metal sealing.

Before that, I was a production planner at a cable factory.

Still 20 years to retirement, so I'm still on schedule to get enough lead :)

[Pb Burner]

I work for a well known chemical company as a chemical operator. I run 5 chemical reactor making acrylic resins.
So going into this new hobby I can understand the safety aspects that one should follow.
In the past have worked for a multi brand motorcycle/atv dealership in the parts and service depts, sold used cars, painted ect.......
Hopefully I'm doing the job now I will retire from! Better things for better living!

Burner

[shdwlkr]

I worked for almost 4 decades for a state government in civil engineering and built roads and bridges and such, when my legs gave out went into the computer world as a network admin, did development, design, programming and system maintenance.
Also managed to get a 7 year treat with the Army as a combat engineer instructor and also my unit armorer, supply nco, and aide to my General who kept me busy when I seemed to have to much free time, also did work in our post hospital with returning vets from Vietnam that didn't want to go on living because of issues that their time out of country had left them with.
Now after almost thirty years since I left the military I am learning to be a mental health counselor to our military go figure just can't get away from the military no matter how hard I try. I get to talk to a lot of our current and yes a lot of former veterans and we talk shop, we talk about what is bothering them and some ways to deal with issues. So many of them are upset when they hear I am only a student so I can not work with them on their issues. It is really scary to know how many have issues and like my approach to their issues as I don't see them as to big to deal with and some of them when we talked about them even saw how funny they were and that it had taken a lot of their lives away from them.
I have talked to some of our female veterans and issues they are facing and yes they have some real issues, some are funny and some are heart breaking but what was more interesting to them and me was they felt safe in talking about them with me and that I didn't think they were strange for the feelings they had and even in a couple of cases could tell them from my own time in the military how I dealt with the issue.
I can think of no more deserving group then our veterans past, present and future to work with will I make some money that is the plan but if a veteran comes in broke and needs mental health counseling and is willing to work with me the cost is a handshake and we begin. I have read to many times of a veteran ending it all because they felt they had no other choice. Two of my own friends that were veterans took this route. IF I can stop just one veteran from this the 6 figure cost of getting this training was well spent.

[Flatlander]

Started as a Machine Operator, attended 4 year apprenticship for Machine Tool Repair(Pratt & Whitney) laid off after graduating.
Worked as Machine Tool Installer traveling around the country. Quit when traveling became to much. Went to night school back at PWA got my BS in business was a purchasing agent, laid off.
Started all over as a CSR answering phones, taking orders and entering them on a computer. Moved into field sales for a large metalworking Co. Best job ever, worked at most of the major gun mfg, aerospace and anything where you would cut metal. Hope to retire in 4 years or so if things go the right way.

[mongo]

Retired NYPD, Was Highway cop before retiring. Now just a crazy old man with too many guns that makes lots and lots of boolits, LOL

[dale2242]

Retired heavy equipment operator.
I was a dozer operator, building logging roads.
As a point of interest, I put over 20,000 hrs on one D8K....dale

[gmsharps]

I retired from the military with 21years 4 months and 19 days not that I was counting. I worked at Rod & Gun clubs partime i.e. Heidelberg and Rhein Main when I was stationed in Germany. I couldn't stay away from the military family and worked for GTE teaching a new communications system. I worked at a pawn shop getting it started into the sporting goods business for awhile but no money. I also worked for Sallie Mae doing Tech support on the phone and PC side. After that I followedthe wife to another Germany assignment and worked with a Computer Training Company. After our return I worked at Ft. Polk, LA as a system administrator but when the wife was due to transfer again I deceided to go over to the mideast and support the troops again doing what I know best in the communications field. Hopefully in the next year or so I can actually retire and pursue my passion of of casting boolits and launching them.

[Johnw...ski]

Thats a good question.

John

[Wal']

Born & raised in Tasmania [Devil country] moved to the mainland [Australia]at 21 yrs, :kidding: traveled & worked most of the country, mostly heavy equipment, trucks, dozer's etc & a spell as a driller & powder monkey[explosives] which tends to keeps you lively & on your toe's.[smilie=l:

Ended up working security, my own business on a mountain[Ski Resort] 40 + yrs back in the snow & why [smilie=b: I haven't worked out as yet, left Tassy originally to get away from the damn rain & cold. :veryconfu rains there 364 days a year & drips of the tree's for the other day.[smilie=l:

I guess having the ability to just brush the snow off rather then being drenched in the rain all winter had something to do with it. [smilie=w:

Have been shooter my whole life, bought my first .22 rifle at 14, good paper run, :D

Mostly paper & steel targets these day's with the occasional deer hunt, getting harder each year.

Have reloaded the last 40yrs & have just got interested in casting my own boolits, will see how it goes, waiting patiently for my new casting gear to arrive. :grin:

[DRNurse1]

COLOR="green"]Wow! Great bunch of folks here. I have tried that retirement thing (twice: Teamsters and Navy) but the boss (read my wife) still lides to shop and m kids ar still young. I am NOT a physician (DR) rather a registered nurse working in a Trauma Center, but I am out of the bedside gig (miss it) and into the teaching/ coordinating one. Last November someone[s] (I think as a gag at the local gun club) wrote me in as a town auditor. Not much work and I am disappointed at the lack of ability I have to affect the skewed thought process in our town leaders. Maybe next year....[/COLOR]

[jlm223]

I am a supervisor in a galvanizing plant in Indiana, to bad I can't use zinc for boolits.

[MBTcustom]

At sixteen, I was running a woodshop, had made my own BP single shot pistols, and was a pretty fair hand making anything from raw materials. I was actualy confused about what vocation I should go for. All that making stuff was just...well...for FUN! All my 6 siblings and my parents are the highly educated, book reading, wine sipping types. My father is chief scientist of an aerospace company. I thought I needed to fit that mold. I was standing in front of a bonfire talking to an old friend of a friend (old then meant he was in his forties) and he asked me what I intended to do with my life. I told him my troubles. He asked me what I was good at. I gave him a short list. He said the haloed words "Maybe you should think about being a machinist".......
It was like a light came on.
I never thought about actually making a living with what I was good at.
So here I am sixteen years later, I make precision bearing assemblies that go into space and I run my own machine shop on the side.
I go to work early in the morning so that I can get paid to make shiny stuff the guys in lab coats put together, then I go home and make shiny stuff that goes boom until I'm too tired to think strait. Go to bed and do it all over again.
I love my life!!!!!!!!:bigsmyl2:

[LAH]

Retired heavy equipment operator.
I was a dozer operator, building logging roads.
As a point of interest, I put over 20,000 hrs on one D8K....dale

That's a few hours for a D8K.

[coloraydo]

Off and on heavy equipment operator in road construction, volunteer firefighter/EMT for 11 years, now a full time position with the department going on 12 years.

[keyhole]

Retired heavy equipment operator.
I was a dozer operator, building logging roads.
As a point of interest, I put over 20,000 hrs on one D8K....dale

When I was young (decades ago) I saw a D8 in action building fire line on a 50,000 acre forest fire. It was an impressive piece of machinery and operator. This was near Lake Chelan in eastern WA. Aug-Sept 1970.

just wondering... how many times would the engine need rebuilding when logging 20,000 hours?

Keyhole

[curator]

Taught high school (science) for a year after leaving the service (1st Infantry 11B50MOS S. Viet Nam-3rd Corps area 66-67) There are easier ways to make a living than dealing with LIB-women that pay better, so I left teaching after the first year. Started my own business (nursery/greenhouse/garden center) for 17 years, Sold business and started Environmental Management (tree-hugger) business in Florida (great job that actually paid me to go fishing and hunting) Sold this business in '98 to Engineering firm and went to work for local County Historical Museum managing their educational programs and historical reenactors. This job actually paid me to take care of their arsenal of historical replica firearms and train historical reenactors oversee their use and give lectures on local history. I retired from this “dream job” about 3 months ago. Now I "smelt" lead I accumulated over the last decade and cast boolits that I intend in shootng next weekend.

[AndreaCarrara]

Hi all,
worked as bartender & shop boy during summer vacations, joined first ship when I was 15 as deckboy, finished High School at 19, military service 18 months then I have been at sea on/off since 1985. Worked on all kind of tankers, from fresh water to crude oil, LPG,LNG, chemicals...Raised a daughter in between, spent half of my life at sea but it's good to go back home from time to time. Shooting helps to relieve stress & loneliness.
Pay is decent, given present situation in my country I'm one of the luckiest.

[Echo]

I build guns, and would take on another part time job away from home, if someone would be hiring in this area. I am also a freelance gynecologist.

You should check out the National Association of Amateur Gynocologists. It's worth looking into...

[dale2242]

Keyhole, It took 30yrs to put the 20K+ hrs on the D8. BTW, I also put 10K hrs on a D7G at the same time, pioneering and building the easier builds.
If I remember correctly the engine was rebuilt twice in that many years. It was in-framed once and removed once for a complete rebuild. It needed to be rebuilt again when I retired.
The under carraige was replaced at least 3 times. The under carraige is the tracks , rolls and track frame. The track frame was rebuilt a couple of times but never replaced. I`m sure I wore out 3-4 sets of extreme service tracks.
As you can imagine the dozer was well maintained to last that long.
All the levers were covered in hard plastic/rubber material that had worn to fit my hands....dale

[41 mag fan]

Keyhole, It took 30yrs to put the 20K+ hrs on the D8. BTW, I also put 10K hrs on a D7G at the same time, pioneering and building the easier builds.
If I remember correctly the engine was rebuilt twice in that many years. It was in-framed once and removed once for a complete rebuild. It needed to be rebuilt again when I retired.
The under carraige was replaced at least 3 times. The under carraige is the tracks , rolls and track frame. The track frame was rebuilt a couple of times but never replaced. I`m sure I wore out 3-4 sets of extreme service tracks.
As you can imagine the dozer was well maintained to last that long.
All the levers were covered in hard plastic/rubber material that had worn to fit my hands....dale


My ex step father now, used to run a D8 in the oil fields. At 7 yrs old, I was going with him, when the oil fields were booming in Il. At 8 yrs old he used to go sleep in the doghouse, while I drug in and set up sleds.
When the oil boom went bust, we used to clear woods for farmers with a cutter, till they got smart and bought their own to save money.

[linotype]

What do I do for a living?
I've jokingly said for years, "Any one I can and the dumb ones twice."

Seriously, many jobs over the years, including retired X-Ray tech and gunsmith. Plan to retire as an IT tech for a State University.