Crossroad in my life. Anyone hiring?

embrace change says I ..in the forties have switched gears seriously five times in over 20 years....kudos on the idea of specialty work in the wire nightmare I so try to avoid. You can do whatever you focus on, also dont sell yourself short, you may be looking for an apprentice like position, but your willingness previous skill sets and aptitude spell money. The main thing I have found is to try- the rest kinda happens if you stick with it, really live it and things happen faster /better I find. Ok I'm off the soapbox now..the best to you.

 

I've been right already...... college, 8 years in an office, took the jump and we started our own business (although simular to your) and i couldn't be happier. complete 180 from what i did, but i do kinda enjoy what i do.
I have a bunch of buddys that work on cars, old high school car buddys, that now don't want anything to do with cars/project cars, messing around with them...
what about the cook guys?

 

you're young. go with no fear and do it (as soon as you figure out with 'it' is.) i've never met folks who later regret doing bold moves to pursue what they love. they may leave you broke-- but hey, experiences form happiness-- never money alone.

that said, beware of the fact that many folks (like me) always get uneasy after doing anything for a time. i love my job. i took bold moves to get there (especially being an uneducated fuck) and the only regret i'd have now is if i was too big a pussy to go with my dreams (yes, i had a wife that supported to.) all said and done though-- i go through many times where i hate the dream job that i have..... unease due to discomfort with repetition is a good thing.

Go big or stay home. I recommend going big. I dont think you'll regret it.

-scott noteboom

 

i dont care what anyone says, union jobs are not safe jobs, at least not for the 97 percent of the guys on the bench, and losing their houses and retirement.
the best union jobs are now in india.

good luck with whatever ya do!!

look at CAD designing electrical systems? just a thought
but you could freelance out of your garage.

 

Automobile electrical is something alot of guys cannot grasp, or are afraid of.

The idea of going to a dealership as an apprentice for training is a good idea. If you can convince them electrical is your thing, and if the shop is set up with a seperate electrical dept, then you are in. If you get into a dealer that is on the team system, or where everyone does everything, you won't get that type of work all the time.

I've worked in a few dealerships, started out knowing nothing, to being what amounts to a master tech. I do understand auto electrics, so that has helped me where others have turned away from it.
I never made a ton of money, but there are guys that do.

Keep in mind, the auto electrics of today are way different than old cars. Almost everything is computerised, and there are hundreds, if not thousands of feet of wire in each one. But if you can figure that out, then old cars will be no problem for you.

If you don't need to make a ton of money, this is the route for you.
You might raise some red flags with prospective employers by leaving a well paying "perfectly good career" to work for them.
It would to me if you walked into my place.

Good luck.

 

If you dont mind.. Local 494 correct. Inside wireman? I am an inside wireman Local 890. right next door. What is your job description. that may be what you dont like. I do not touch residential and I do not like comercial work. I LOVE My Industrial position and am DAMN GOOD at it too. For the most part I Design build turn-key automation into existing machines. I "hot rod" them. My job desription involves. Wiring and most apects of it of course, Welding, structual metal fab, sheet metal fab, Intricate pipe bending, pipe fitting, machining(including milling and turning pieces on a lathe), rewinding motors and even dabble in electronics. I have been in the trade now for 17 years. and have been in Alot of plants in So. WI and N. IL. to trouble shoot and repair problems that "could not be repaired" most call and ask for me to return by name. Im currently at Frito Lay. that being layed out there. I have leared SO much that I relay back to my vehicles. Its just like working on a car only its not a car. Are you sure its electrical work you dislike OR just the type of electrical work your doing. heres a couple of pics of a Gear Hob (circa 1940's) I automated. Hand clutch to pneumatic. stops and cycling operation. (pics are from phone sorry) mabey you just havent found the right contractor yet. your still pretty green (no offense)

Good luck in whatever your decision

 

Listen up-there are a hell of a lot of hot rods and clubs in Wisconsin. Draw up a business plan, get some noticeable business cards and free lance your services to car clubs and make the shows. Go to the Spring and Fall Elkhorn shows-they are huge and everyone is looking for something. Go to the Iola show in July. At your age and with your electrical experience jobs and money should'nt be a problem.

WINGED AVENGER
Remember, at the end of the game, the King and Pawn end up in the same box.

 

What about getting into the Union with welding man your young and shit its gonna be hands on with metal and keep the hot rods for a hobby and with your new welding skills you can learn more and more every day for your own hot rods. You think your burned out and sick of laying wires now, just wait until you have to wake up every morning and have to go to a shop breathing in dust and rust all day and build a hot rod. sure it looks fun and hell it is fun but mainly its fun as a hobby because when shit goes wrong your not on a tight deadline to fix it as you would be in a real shop. Thats just my .02 and Im alot younger than you but I do the hot rod thing to make my money and Im already burned the hell out. -Jon

 

if money is no issue then quit and jump in to a trade school fulltime. learn to weld (tig and torch are the main ones), then learn body work and follow it up with dc electrical. find a place you can start at the bottom and learn from the best person there. personally i would keep your job, save the money, take classes at night (welding, body....), buy or rent a shop (work area), find some like minded people and put your new found skills to work.

 

Where to start?
Since you give us little info about you and what you can and can not do, we guess. You want to weld, go to a local college and take a few night classes. You have to know the basics before you can grow. You can use the skills you learn even if you don't use them to make a living. Welding and metal fabrication are almost as much natural abilities as they are learned skills. If you have no natural abilities, all the schooling in the world will do little more then make you more then a beginner. Once you have the basic skills it is time to go out in the garage/shop and screw things up. If you ever hope to become good at something, you need to make a lot of mistakes, screw up a lot of stuff and learn how to fix your screw ups. If your desire is to work at a rod shop, at least have the basic skills before you begin looking. If you can't stick two pieces of steel together with a welder, ain't many rod shops going to hand you their welder, but if your capable of actually welding but need to refine your skills a bit, more shop owners will be willing to show you a few things. Same deal if you want to work at a frame shop, basic knowlege of frame construction and what parts do what would be one of the minimum requirements, I would think.

So start with an education, then go into the shop and apply what you have learned. Screw some stuff up and fix it. Then when you call the rod shop, at least you can say "I can do this or that". Gives the guy at the shop an oppertunity to be able to at least put you to work on something and they can teach you from there. Gene

 

thanks for all the insight so far. I'm going to continue working for now obviously, but I'm also openly looking for a shop to join and be the "shop bitch". i put in my time in my electrical apprenticeship for 5 years, i think i could putting my time in at a shop.

As far as whether I'm tired of doing electrical work in general or just the type of work I'm doing.... both.

I told my wife that i posted my feelings about my job on the internet and she called me a Girly Blogger, and told me to go cry in a corner. haha. sometimes i think she's worse than I am.

 

heres some pics of things ive worked on. The bike is mine, i built it with Cook Customs, I'm a part of the shop. Ive learned most of my skills at this shop working on and building my bike. Everything on the bike is hand made. Including all the brass pieces i turned on the metal lathe.

As far as the welding is concerned my Mig skills are pretty good, could use some fine tuning, and my Tig skills aren't that great. The Camaro is a 1973 that my dad bought 2 years ago as a basketcase and he and i restored it to the current state. Between the two of us theres probably 200-300 hours of bodywork, wet sanding, and painting.

 

It's never healthy to do what you hate...

And what's with all the retirement naysayers??? Ever heard of an IRA? I have one. Started it from day one. And even if I wasn't self employed, I would have gotten one. Now given' I can't draw it till I'm 59 years old... But I'm damn sure not workin' till I drop or bankin' on someone else to save $$$ to take care of me & the family. Stitch

 

Doh!!!

 

Trevor
Keep in mind we are in the golden age of hot rodding. Never has there been so many parts avaialble/shops/magazines etc It may not be like this 5-10 years.

I predict 50-60% of the current number of rod shops won't be around in 5-10 years due to lack of business and the dying of the hobby in general.

The old grey haired guys in the hobby right now with golden wallets are not always going to be around to fund the current rod shops..

 

Hmmm---well, I'm in my mid 50's now--I've been doin this "hot rod / race car " thing for close to 40 years now.I can't tell you how many times I thought about "starting my own business". But rent/mortgage --wife--kids--FREE TIME---all came into play.I'm not saying being your own boss is bad--but sometimes 6-7 days a week--16-20 hours a day can ruin a "dream".I've seen it happen to lots of my friends--great craftsmen--lousy businessmen( and vice-versa). So--I worked in the car-dealer service end and made good money while I was young--about 20 years ago I went to work for the County here--good hours--ok pay--good benefits.Now I'm thinking about retirement--got a good house--hoping to pay it off in a few years--THEN I'm just gonna play.
By the way--I got a couple of good cars--just sold a roadster--and a couple more planned--how many guys who work for themselfs have completed cars--some,maybe, but the customer comes first. I guess it was my old man that told me "work like a son-of -a- bitch early on--you can't do when your old like me"--I think he was about 40 then.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

 

April 28, 2027 is when I get to retire....but who's counting?

 

By the way--one of my specialtys is automotive wiring--been doin that for 35 years--I do most of the Sheriff cars for our County--just so I kinda know what you do---ain't cars fun!!

 

WOW!!!!.....i cant believe you posted this man.....i think about this everyday.....i feel the same way... I just turned 26 in NOV....i am in afghanistan contracting...workin on helicopters....i hate the aviation field....i plan on goin to wyotech man...but like the other guys are sayin use your skill you have now to open other doors.....you would be surprised at how somebody would love to give you knowledge for your help....keep ya head up man.....i thought i was the only person that felt like this....good thread...and i love the answers and advice everyone is giving......good thread....

 

this is my advice and remember you heard it here. keep your good paying job with benifits. find your self a house with some property and build a nice shop. buy a project or two start buying some tools and equipment get your dad involved he already knows the trade and learn all you can from him from there read all you can about things you can't learn frm him. now your on your way. once you have this as a hoby your out look on your present profession will change because your now living your dream without having to please a customer and only your self.
now my side of the story; i've owned a very good auto/ rod shop since 1972 it's always been a struggle to ever do anything for myself because i always put the customer first. sad to say this is how it has to be. i'm sick of looking at my half baked cars all over the shop and tired of saying some day i'll get them done, now i'm starting to hate everyones car and sick of looking at customers. (35 years later). if i just had a different day job and did this for a hobby i think i would have been alot happier. if you work for less money just to be in the field you'll never have enough money to have your own rod not to mention a garage to store it in. your dad told you what he said for a reason.

 

i`m gonna quit following my dreams. i`m just gonna ask where their going and hook up with them later.
anyway , i am a 34 year old union welder who used to enjoy welding.....

 

Trevor, i work on high end road race cars for a living, and wire drag cars and hot rods on the side. Road racing is not my thing at all, but I get to build cars and add to, or hone my skills. It took me thirty years of working in repair shops to get my foot in the door of a race shop, this one is my second.
The kind of guys that work on my crew, are able to teach them selves most of the things they need to do. Everyday there is something new to learn, a new challenge to overcome. Thats what these guys come to work for. My electrical specialist has become a pretty good sheet metal man, because that was the work that had to be done. He not only figured it out on his own, but has to meet a fairly high standard in workmanship, which he does.
Sure we share knowledge and experience, ask questions and all that, but we are not running a school. I do take apprentices on, we have two at the moment, they advance based on how well they pick up new skills.
I find the best guys I have, never talk about what they have done or are going to do, they just do it. When a car is finished, you'll hear allot of talk about what we can do better, allot of tiny little details the crew is thinking how to improve.
One thing I would strongly suggest if you want to work in a professional shop is, LEARN to TIG weld, and get real good at it. I get a lot of applicants that say they can weld but, the standards are a lot higher than they thought and don't get the job. BTW I don't weld at work because I can't cut the standards . Never forget that when you are working on any high performance car, there is a risk in driving them and that driver safety is in your hands, never take a shortcut on safety, you'll sleep better.
Oh I almost forgot, between my day job and wiring drag cars (which is how I get money for my own hot rod) I've worked seven days a week since September. No wonder my truck is taking so long to get finished.

Best to you
Craig

 

I love these threads, never had a job I did not LOVE. After the fact I might say the place sucked but when I was in, I was full throttle IN!#*&%

 

Well this is a timely post and not to hijack BUT.....

Ive been in sales and sales management for over 20 years and Im 40 now. In the last ten years Ive become disillusioned and disgusted what what I have seen in my sector. Needless to say, this year has been a rollercoaster and and last month I walked out of a 6 figure job after ONE month. I just simply realise that I have had it.

Starting a business doing what I love is something that has been on my mind for many years and I feel that even though I have made fairly good money (esp after the last 10years) I have realised that I have NEVER been happy.

I have built 2 cars, a Charger and a 32 3W coupe. I am an anal bastard and like doing things right the first time, I have a home close to paid off, no other crazy debts and no kids atm.

But I also have concerns, some of which have been stated bu others already:

i. Market is too small/short termed to sustain a good living
ii. My hobby will become my job and Ill end up hating it
iii. Legislative changes affecting the hobby in the medium term
iv. Uncertain economic times coming (this is a given, in those "times" the toys are what
go FIRST)
v. My current age and the risk involved at that age if it doesnt work out.

Yes I want to do what I love; I figure I'll want to get out of bed every day. Yes, I can be very good at this and have access to resources. Yes, I have built cars before and KNOW what it takes as well as the frustrations that can occur.

I doesnt phase me that Im not working on my rides all the time, they are pretty much all good runners and look great - hell I could even appreciate a break from them. However, from what I am seeing and from what others are saying I have deduced it is simply a case of the "chicken and the egg". There are pros and cons with everything in life and there will be in this decision as well.

Trevor I guess you have to decide what it is you want and go balls out and give it a go. The chances of success will be greater if you like what you do but you must list your strengths and weaknesses and minimise the weaknesses and improve your strengths, and take MASSIVE action as I have come to realise.

Keep at it (I am) things wull come to light sooner than you think that will help you decide waht it is you want to do.

Good luck

Rat

 

there are many bonuses for working in your favourite hobby industry. i used to sell CAD software, and ended up feeling the same way about it that many other guys have mentioned about their "normal" job... good money, but no satisfaction.

so, i hit the grand old age of 24, and started my own business making race karts.

i've done it for four years now. i design trick new stuff, go racing most weekends, and work all day on stuff that i'm actually INTERESTED IN! i live in karting, i'm respected in karting and i really enjoy my life.

the downside is, i'm still working over 6 days a week (averaged over the year), and at one point this year had not had a day off in 17 weeks. i've got basically no money of my own (it's all in the business) and in the last four years i've actually raced a kart myself three times!!!

i guess the summary is, if you work in your hobby, it's not your hobby any more, it's your life. you probably won't have the time or motivation to work on your own stuff because "hobby industries" takes HEAPS of time, and when you finally get a break you probably don't feel like working on your own stuff (which is why i almost never race)...

that said, i don't regret my decision in the least, and i love (almost) every day i go to work...

just do it mate. persistence pays off...

 

Have you called Boyd? It seems like they are always hiring............

 

Haha, i'd rather stay working doing something i hate. I'd rather stub my toe than work there.

 

good on you for knowing where you wanna go and recognising it as an acheivable goal. I am in the same position. I run a timber door business and everyday wish i was working with engines/steel as my grandfather(and so on) did. Next year ill be taking metal fab at night school and hope to eventually come to the US to work with rods & customs.
If you know where you wanna go then you have to give it a shot, all the power to ya!
Dave.

 

Trevor,

I love your bike! I sat and stared at it at the Hunert Car Pile Up for quite awhile and took a bunch of pictures of it.

You definitely have some talent my friend.

Cool Camaro too!

 

I think that most of the people responding to you have stood right in the same intersection you have. Experience is the key there, and I hope their words have not fallen upon deft ears, but after reading your response to some of these ideas, well...this has left me an uncertain feeling that maybe it has.

First off...you HAVE a great job that many people would love for you to leave...it would make more room for them! You should know that by now, I have seen that writen more than once here. Be that as it may...you don't like it, and I for one certainly don't blame you!

One idea (job) was given to come down to Chicago (Addison) and apply your given skill set in a really cool hot rod shop.
You responded right off the bat by saying "I don't do freelance work"...I think you might have missed an opportunity on that one. Where as you might not have made "money" in the work itself, (something you have stated you are not worried about anyway) but you could have gained something far more valuable..."network". Because I'm almost positive that he knows someone else that might be interested in giving you what you want job wise. More so, that if you left his place better off than when you found it...aaaahhhh that could have brought you to the fore front of many conversations. This holds more value than you can ever realize.

I have NO doubt of your talent. I saw your bike at the Pile Up this year and took a lot of pics, because I felt a really cool spirit of a creative vision. YOU, my friend, have a voice louder than you may realize. Now your trick is to do another one, and another one, and another one. To be denied isn't an option!

Sracecraft said something that stuck out to me that I think you need to reread. Something to the effect of learning what you need to do to make your dreams come true. That may be more skills...different type of application to what you already know...whatever. Again...deny is not an option!

Which brings me to a great story..."How Badly Do You Want It?"
(see following post cause this is getting too long and people don't read this much, but you don't want to miss this one!!)