You may have a use for some of these tips.

 

 

Edited January 14, 20251 yr by BillyJack

Like the idea for the H-F locking, swivel pad c-clamps. Sure beats my pile 'em up method. Now I just have to figure out where I could hang such racks.

Awesome organization!!!

58 minutes ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Like the idea for the H-F locking, swivel pad c-clamps. Sure beats my pile 'em up method. Now I just have to figure out where I could hang such racks.

 

Most  don’t understand their value till they have them..

….

 

 

I’ve had trouble in the last 10 years with my shop. When I worked at the  commercial shop(7 years), he closed the doors owed me  money, which I wouldn’t get , but offered me most of the lumber, etc I wanted. I loaded my truck twice loaded full and took a lot of lumber home. He lost a lot of money on the last job and told me he couldn’t pay for a week or two, but I saw what was coming. 
 

Anyway I applied and got the job at the furniture company (rare opportunity)and over the next 7 years I collected way too much lumber, I did not work in the shop those 7 years and my shop is too full to work..
 

 

5 minutes ago, BillyJack said:

I’ve had trouble in the last 10 years with my shop. When I worked at the  commercial shop(7 years), he closed the doors owed me  money, which I wouldn’t get , but offered me most of the lumber, etc I wanted. I loaded my truck twice loaded full and took a lot of lumber home. He lost a lot of money on the last job and told me he couldn’t pay for a week or two, but I saw what was coming. 
 

Anyway I applied and got the job at the furniture company (rare opportunity)and over the next 7 years I collected way too much lumber, I did not work in the shop those 7 years and my shop is too full to work..
 

 

 

Both shops I worked for delayed payment now and then, but neither of them went under owing the staff - that sucks.  At least you got some lumber out of it, I hope more than the cash debt would have bought.

 

The second shop I worked for kept going until the owner retired and closed his doors.  Owner then got bored with retirement and turned his hobby of distilling whiskey into a business.  Don't know what happened next, probably got bored with that and retired again.  That guy wasn't interested in running a business so much as making stuff he thought was interesting.

 

Long before he retired I had bumbled in to a good job as an operator at a radio telescope.  Pay was just ok, but the shift was 7 days on (12 hours) and then 7 days off.  Housing and meals provided at the site.  I did a lot of side work during my off shift.  I still kinda regret leaving that for a 40 hour a week job, but the pay is vastly better now.... but I sure miss 7 day weekends!

Steve started doing layouts for another cabinet. He was in his 70’s by this time and it was extra money for him. He payed me cash for 7 years. I felt fortunate he worked for 7 years. He said After he shut down the shop ,  I was the best employee he had ever hired. The first 4 weeks I was suppose to get a dollar more a week. He argued the last dollar and I didn’t back down on the raise. He called and gave it to me over the  weekend.

 

Many woodworkers think it’s an easy game out there. It can be very hard.Jobs that offer the best benefits are hard to get. I get attitude with glamor part of woodworking. It’s not all roses, but I have to remembe4 there is nothing competitive about hobby woodworking..

Edited January 20, 20251 yr by BillyJack

1 minute ago, BillyJack said:

Many woodworkers think it’s an easy game out there. It can be very hard.Jobs that offer the best benefits are har to get. I get attitude with glamor part of woodworking. It’s not all roses…

That is really a true statement.  Working in a shop is fantastic experience, it really changes how you go about a lot of tasks and makes you more efficient at everything you do.  But it can be really hard 40 hours a week for years and years, and it almost never pays well. 

 

The only woodworking job I've ever seen that can pay really well is the one in the front office.  Owner is either good enough at business management or he goes under - I've yet to see one who's really good at management and also good at woodworking.  I don't doubt they are out there, I just never met one.  I know which side of it I'm better at so I kept it a hobby.

Ive worked for a lot of companies. At Regency Terry bought the business and wasn’t a cabinet maker, but he bought it with enough employees to manage the shop.,Very profitable business. Three  guys running. One main office guy, one seller and a brother who did counter tops. They did 10 sets a week with 7 paying the bills and 3 as profit. Over the 7 years I worked there add up the profits. I had another forum member tell me  that the company made junk. If they make junk how come two 24’ box trucks were payed for, all equipment and the building.

 

Never get the  idea you have to make the best cabinets to have the most customers, you have to make what they are willing to pay for. Regency cabinets filled a void that builders and customers were willing to buy first over sets that would cost 2-3 times more. I’ve talked to people who complain about the cost of cabinets, but drive the most expensive car they can afford , knowing iit will depreciate over time

 

 

 

Cabinets have grown in pricing. I’ve been out of the game long enough (5years) ) to understand it would be difficult to get a grip on pricing again. 

Did this forum have a cardiac arrest. Seems a bit dead from when I was here last?

The larger forums are starting to break,, I’ve got to we’re I just started not answering questions as it just creates more argument..Some want it , others don’t want to get involved. 
 

 

It’s just losing its intended purpose.

1 hour ago, BillyJack said:

Did this forum have a cardiac arrest. Seems a bit dead from when I was here last?

We just got older and less argumentative.

7 minutes ago, lew said:

We just got older and less argumentative.

Nothing to do with arguing, just building things. Just seems like everyone’s on pause and forgot to hit the start button.

 

I’m on pause because of health and hoping to join the living again..

I think it was Wood talk I asked about have a pencil set made and I got got smart acc answers I don’t have a small lathe, but why be jerks about it..

How about a quick and easy way to set the drill press depth stop to 5/32"?

 

Why can’t you get it?

20 minutes ago, JWD said:

How about a quick and easy way to set the drill press depth stop to 5/32"?

 

Cool idea or a 5/16 drill bit

1 hour ago, lew said:

Cool idea or a 5/16 drill bit

Yep, I've used drill bits too, anything calibrated (or close enough).  Also used to use open end wrenches for turning semi-accurate gluing stubs on wood knobs.  Usually 3/8" as I remember.