What's this chafing around my neck?

[James Burke]

Thought that'd get your attention, but that's what it feels like.

To make a long story short, I've spent the better part of life as a tool and die maker...you know...very precise and type "A" about most stuff...I still am about some things.

Anyway, for the past five years I've had my own business engraving monuments and related stone work. Since my work slows down during the winter months I usually take a winter job to hold me thorugh until spring when work picks back up.

Well, I've been working in a shop since the first of October and it feels like a rope hanging around my neck...I just can't seem to shift back in to the mode of using the logical "left" side of the ol' brain. I've been so used to free-spirited creativity that blue prints actually make me want to run the other way. And somehow, the lines on my micrometers have gotten a lot smaller since the last time I've used them...bifocals, here I come.

Their company is planning a growth stage, and I belive the their intentions are for me to come on full time and work my business "part time". From what I can see, working my business "part time" is just one step above hobby.

Oh yes...there could be possible layoffs, since that's the nature of the beast. Most of the work is automotive related and that can be like a fart in a skillet much of the time. Other times, it could be 60+ hours a week.

Anybody else suffering the consequences of having to work outside your normal mode of operation?

Thanks for the rant.

(BTW...my winter-time project will be to do some major biz planning for survival during the off-season months.


Jim

 

[Colin]

There's something to be said for the skills of a Tool & Die maker. I was a welder for 7 years right out of high school, and did some machining too, and worked with some T&D makers. They are great skills to have, so don't turn your back on them too quickly, as that line of work generally pays fairly well too.

Maybe somehow rediscover your passion for all things precision, and keep your feet in both realms. And there's nothing wrong with a good pair of glasses.


"Measure with Mitutoyo"

 

[Mosh]

You might have kooties..they itch!

 

[Stealth Ryder]

Make it Happen Captain... The one thing I have learned in at least the past 10 years is to not rely on one talent to earn a steady income. Diversify and do at least 3 things better than anyone else in your area, good times for one specialty will cover you when time are slow in another...

 

[James Burke]

The pay is very good and I'm not complaining. The transition is a little more challenging than I had expected.

 

[Mosh]

Look for more work and stay on your own. There is ALOT of work out there if you look for it. We have more than we can do.

 

[JR's]

Look for more work and stay on your own. There is ALOT of work out there if you look for it. We have more than we can do.

but it is good that you are malty talented.

JR

 

[ova]

I work outside of the shop also. At least I did until this week. My sole reason for doing this was for health benefits. It's a retreat center owned by the Catholic Diocese where I cut grass and do building maint. A no thought job that let me be outside most of the time and wasn't married to the place. The extra money was good, but with one kid still at home, the benefits were great. My hours were from 6am to 1pm. That left me plenty of time to still work at the shop. My wife is chief dish and bottle washer here.

Now we have an extra burdden of $1500 a month for health care.

I still have a couple of weeks to decide. My severence package will end then. Big decision is for me to stay working full time here and break up the best working group of employees we ever had or find another part time job with benefits. It's really working on my brain to know I might be putting someone on the street even though I just got booted myself.

Dave