I'm sure the vast majority of you are retired. But, what did / do you do?
Me? I'm 35, and have been in HVAC (furnace and air conditioning installation and service) since I was 15. Most of the time, I've spent installing. Currently, I work in a sheet metal shop, fabrication the duct work, and fittings for installs. I live in Idaho, but work in Ohio. I fly out to Ohio for about a month, then back home to Idaho to lounge for about two months. Pretty sweet gig!
Here's a couple pics of some stuff I've made.
This is a square to round fitting. Starts out 24x24 square at one end, and transitions to 8 inches round at the other. Lots of math involved in this one.
This is a giant transition I made a few years ago. I forget the exact dimensions now. It was something like 24x24 at one end, and went to 16 x 120 on the other, just over six foot tall.
* This post was
edited 05/15/12 04:49pm by an administrator/moderator *
Being able to fabricate metal as you do is tremendous skill. I wouldn't even know where to start.
I've seen some beautiful metal fabricating and as you say it requires a lot of math ability. Not only that, I would add that it also requires a lot of artistic skill.
Unusual blend of abilities....mathematical brain and being artistic.
I've also thought that to have a career, where you would be able to see your completed work and to know that it will last a long time, must be fulfilling.
I;'m sure that there are things that you have created in the past few years...that you would never believe you could create, when you started out in the field when you were 15.
I was in, and eventually managed, a group of systems programmers for a national insurance company. I enjoyed my work a lot, but I enjoy retirement a lot more.
Retired and visiting as much of this beautiful country as I can.
Lessmore wrote: Being able to fabricate metal as you do is tremendous skill. I wouldn't even know where to start.
I've seen some beautiful metal fabricating and as you say it requires a lot of math ability. Not only that, I would add that it also requires a lot of artistic skill.
Unusual blend of abilities....mathematical brain and being artistic.
I've also thought that to have a career, where you would be able to see your completed work and to know that it will last a long time, must be fulfilling.
I;'m sure that there are things that you have created in the past few years...that you would never believe you could create, when you started out in the field when you were 15.
Well was one of the nicest things anyone ever said to me.
Funny thing is, until I began really fabing metal, I could hardly add 2+2. Now, its second nature. I was just talking to a buddy about it, and it seems a lot of the good fabricators have a "different" personality, like myself. That's not a bad thing. I think our brains just are wired a certain way.
And yes, it is very cool to be able to picture something in my mind, and see it cmeto life. If gotten to make some really cool stuff over the last few years, and owe a lot to the old timer who taught me.
Emergency Responder. Private and public sector. Refinery Fire Chief (ARCO/bp) and county district Ass't Chief. EMT, High Angle/Confined Space rescue, HazMat responder. DW was in Law Enforcement.
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Retired? You bet! Was an automotive components design and engineering business owner for a very long time and sure loved it but I like my present job, or should I say lack there of now, even more.
Still get to be my very own boss and I have my wife's permission to say so!
Let the wonderful fun continue...
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I'm 48. I am basically a farm hand. I still work on the same farm my dad purchased in 1969. My older brother now runs the business and, oh my goodness, how it has grown and changed over the years. I enjoy the work because it's not the same old thing everyday. There is a lot of different skills and things you have to know to do the job. It can be rewarding but, also frustrating at times. I'm old enough now to know that part of life and so be it. I don't make a lot of money but, I'd rather do a job I like for a less then make a lot of money doing something I hate.
Highway construction project manager and senior inspector for the DOT. 27 years and counting with 3 years left to retirement. I'll only be 53, so I'll most likely want to do something else.............something I really like anyway.
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Retired journeyman aircraft tool builder ... hard and soft.
Very satisfying job/duties/responsibilities with lots of work buddies that I worked with in the same profession for 39 years in several different aircraft manufacturing plants. Sure do miss them.
'Course aircraft tooling is what it is and with lots of feast and famine time I had lots of spare time doing other things. Tried operating my own sub contract construction outfit part and full time for over 11 years. Too much time on the road away from home moving materials (steel) and work equipment to the next multi state jobsites. Sold it to one of my subs.
Which I could have retired first.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers
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