What do you do for a living?

It seems to me there are many handy people on this site. I was curious what coal burning people do for a living. My thought is that your average coal burner is a hands on person. A tradesman like myself or is it full spectrum?
As for me I am a machinist by trade and I love working with machines and antiques.

Mostly retired now but was a lifelong "Bureaucratic Goon"
(always handy but never worked with my hands)

Career Firefighter, 20 years this coming March, Just promoted to Major, no more Engine Company for me, just ride around in a Suburban and give orders now, 7 more years to go.

Before that worked family farm, also a Harnes Maker, worked in a Gun Shop for a few years and that just about ruined a good hobby.

Bk

I'm a licensed plumber, but do very little plumbing. For 30 yrs now I've done upholstery work, and still do, but five or 6 yrs ago my back crapped out and I thought for a while I couldn't do upholstery any more, so I was scrambling to find something to do with my hands as my head doesn't work. I took up making signs. I love it! Lettering trucks mostly, but banners, decals, whatever. If it doesn't need concrete or electricity, I'll do it. I'm artistic, but not an artist, so computers and electronic machines help me do signs. At this point signs and upholstery are both half my income.

I was a tech for 20 years on commercial data processing equipment. Some physical problems forced me to give that up. Went back to school at the ripe old age of 45 and got a BS in accounting. Now I count beans for the state gubment. New job sucks but it puts food on the table. The bosses are *censored*, hey they're politicians they can't help themselves. You guys don't know me except from here so you really can't appreciate the irony of me working for the gubment. I'm about one step above anarchist. Every day at work confirms my beliefs about politicians. I'd rather be turning wrenches and using an o-scope but it's better than collecting disability.

mr1precision wrote:A tradesman like myself or is it full spectrum?

Most of my customers were "working" people however I believe I must of had every occupation covered including doctors, lawyers, law enforcement and even a funeral director. Some of my customers were dirt poor including a hermit and when I say hermit I mean that in ever sense of the word. Talk about filthy dirty , I don't even think he had running water or sewage. He ordered coal with a letter and people brought him his food, the guy apparently never stepped foot out of the house and i had to stop delivering to him because the bushes were so overgrown I could no longer get to where he wanted it. On the other end of the scale I've delivered coal to McMansion's, the most prominent place I delivered was probably the Nesbitt mansion on Lake Catalpa when I first got in the business. That only lasted for few years and they switched to oil or gas but if I remember correctly they went through about 5 ton per month and I don't even think anyone lived there.

Full spectrum? I think you can say that....

Sheet metal Fabricator, layout, cnc programmer I have made about anything you could imagine. In my younger years I was a cabinet maker, well thought I was until I ran into a guy that let me know I was just a young squirt that needed to listen, and he showed me how to use my head the right way. He still is my best friend.

Machinist here. Operate and setup 6 or 8 spindle screw machines. Been doing this for about 15 yrs. Worked in a heat treat for 3 yrs prior.

Jeff

automobile and light truck mechanic and restorer
have also done maintenance, electrician, carpenter, i built truck bodies for 3 yrs

I have been a merchant for 22 years. I own and operate a 5000 sq ft retail hardware and variety store. We are a Do It Best dealer. We sell plumbing & electric supplies, paint, hardware, hand & small power tools, appliances, housewares, stationary, light automotive, toys, pet supplies, lawn-garden-horticultural supplies, candy and anything else in demand that fits that selection.

Licensed electrician, (36 years) I remember i used to think this state licensing thing was a lot of political BS, ahh that was until i started to see some wiring done by homeowners... oy... Electricity is a wonderful thing, it lights your home, cooks your food, drys your clothes, and heats your home, but the idea here boys and girls is not to do it with fire.
Anyone want to hear some horror stories,i got a few for ya.

assistant Chief Engineer in a 70 acre mixed use office/data park, for a major bank

I worked in a grocery store when I was in high school and was a roofer for 1 year then a schooled auto mechanic specializing in transmissions for 4 years. I then got into an R&D lab doing electronic testing for 15 years and now am employed by a major university in an optics research lab doing fabrication and polishing of optics and characterization of many materials and have been doing this for 6 years. I have been very fortunate because I have never been layed off.

logger/forester my whole life. till last year I went in the oil fields pulling old quaker state wells what a cruddy job. wheres mike rowe when you need him. when this job dries up I hope to become a porn star!!! (hey a guy can dream)

18 years machinist-toolmaker in a plastics factory, 17 years maintenance man in an office setting, also worked in a steelmill. Retried now.
Ray