Old carpenters

[Zeke]

Know any? I looked on the Net using a few search terms and couldn't find dick.

Why do I ask? Well, I took on a job framing out an office in a garage. No big deal I thought — couple of interior walls, some backing and blocking. 2 days and done. Call the electrician.

So now get this, I know I'm too old for this so I looked around placing and ad for a carpenter with a framing emphasis. One guy answers and he's 71, 2 years my junior.

We knocked that out using mostly a framing nailer and a couple tired worm drive Skillsaws. We both did the same work, cutting and nailing. Knocking out old blocking for new wall pockets, etc. On the third day, today, I took him his check and we drank some coffee and ate some pie. Rewards for two 7 hour days and none the worse for wear. Well, a little.

I know a need a new shoulder but it seems if I stay warmed up it's not all that bad. Getting up is harder than it used to be. Well, that ought to be, eh?

The point? Well, where the hell are the younger guys? I was doing the same thing last November, framing. Interior stuff. Always looking for help and there isn't any that knows a 10d nail from a 16 or where to use each.

In 2010 I built a 2-story addition with a 55 YO guy who went into trucking right after the job. So I had 10 years on him but I could keep up then. Now it seems I have to even if I'm no longer as fast as I was once.

Get home today and who has left a message? Some neighbor about a garage.

Until the Great Recession carpentry was good to me. Paid for me to play with 911's for 10 years. Then I sat home for the most part for 5 years. Maybe that bought me some time in the saddle.

[GH85Carrera]

My brother could commiserate with you. He finally retired. Done. He did lots of framing and custom carpentry. He hung up his hammer and went to work at a mill work. They closed down and he went looking for a new career happy to have all 10 fingers.

[ckelly78z]

Not many young guys want to actually soil their hands working for a living. I'm 53 and was outside for about 3 hours in 85 degree temps framing the walls of a hay storage shed on my farm....after I worked 9 hours at my regular job.

This is the first time in a week the temps/humidity has been below 90. I have ALOT of work to do when the weather cools down.

Carpentry skills seem to be a dying art, along with rational thinking to solve problems.

[Zeke]

I've got 10. I consider mill/shop work more dangerous. But on site injuries are common and of a wider variety. Just ask the worker's compensation underwriters.

[Dantilla]

I used to frame houses. Setting trusses or rafters is like playing on monkey bars. Loads of fun, and getting paid for it.

A common progression- Young guys are amazed how much money they can make, and become framers.
After years of standing walls, lifting beams, tossing plywood up on the roof, they begin to envy the trim carpenter, who lifts nothing heavier than a window casing or bedroom door. The trim carpenter always works inside- Never out in the weather. There's a thermostat on the wall! He has such a cute little nail gun, with cute little nails. It's even quiet.

Young carpenter- Framer
Old carpenter- Finish work.

Old framer? Bad back, bad knees, bad attitude, yada yada.....

[OldSpool87]

They’re in Brooklyn building furniture.

[LakeCleElum]

Young guys can't seem to find the framing APP that allows them to just stare at thier Phone...

[look 171]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

Young guys can't seem to find the framing APP that allows them to just stare at thier Phone...

hahahaha spat out my coffee

[look 171]

Young guy are working for me, Milt. I have these two guys that have been with me for the past 15 years since they turned 20. I am bless that they are around and trained. I started out making furniture then moved into cabinets. Now, remodels and additions with a lot of structural hill side work. We will be starting a brand new house near the beach in three weeks because I am getting done with this hill side stuff. Too much red tape. I am not too good with framing (Too slow and precise). I too noticed there aren't too many young guys out in the field with the exception of a bunch of latino guys that are in their 30s. Most are in the 50s I have noticed. Framing and concrete work is not good for your body.

WE wouldn't frame out this house instead, I will sub out that portion of the work.

[BeyGon]

did you advertise in Spanish

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by look 171

Young guy are working for me, Milt. I have these two guys that have been with me for the past 15 years since they turned 20. I am bless that they are around and trained. I started out making furniture then moved into cabinets. Now, remodels and additions with a lot of structural hill side work. We will be starting a brand new house near the beach in three weeks because I am getting done with this hill side stuff. Too much red tape. I am not too good with framing (Too slow and precise). I too noticed there aren't too many young guys out in the field with the exception of a bunch of latino guys that are in their 30s. Most are in the 50s I have noticed. Framing and concrete work is not good for your body.

WE wouldn't frame out this house instead, I will sub out that portion of the work.

Good luck. If I could find a sub... but then I do small jobs mostly. I did do a 300K reno from Oct 2017 to March, 21 weeks on the job. I did everything from framing, patch plastering, finish carpentry (mostly) and some painting, not to mention everything in between. The reason? Mostly pick up where various jobs were not totally complete or satisfactory to me. People walk the moment they get paid. Hold back 10% and they might just shine that on.

I should come to work for you. (No, not looking for a full time job )

Oh, and I had the most fun welding repairs to some 1930's wrought iron gates. That's a strong hobby of mine ever since the 911 restoration days.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by BeyGon

did you advertise in Spanish

Good point but I don't speak more than 20 words in Spanish so how would I supervise the job?

This is a serious problem with us older guys but I have a feeling that if I could communicate in Spanish that the job would be done more their way than mine.

It has happened.

[wdfifteen]

I’m fortunate to live where I do - maybe. Every tradesman I have hired has been in his 40s or 50s. A really good handyman works for me for $15 per hour. Licensed, journeyman electrician is $60/hr. I called the electrician at 10 am yesterday and he was out here giving me an estimate at 2pm. It would take weeks to get a guy to come at my old place, and the rate would be $100 plus. This county is living 50 years in the past.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Good point but I don't speak more than 20 words in Spanish so how would I supervise the job?

This is a serious problem with us older guys but I have a feeling that if I could communicate in Spanish that the job would be done more their way than mine.

It has happened.

I found most of the Spanish guys I have come across over the years are pretty good at following directions or build to my satisfaction. Ones that I hired are trained, but then I use them each and every job. I just have to be very specific. I really dislike hiring new subs, don't like to retraining process. One of my guy on the crew speaks Spanish pretty well, so that helps.

Spanish? Gave it back to my high school Spanish as soon as I walked out of the classroom. What a mistake that was that I let that go.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Good luck. If I could find a sub... but then I do small jobs mostly. I did do a 300K reno from Oct 2017 to March, 21 weeks on the job. I did everything from framing, patch plastering, finish carpentry (mostly) and some painting, not to mention everything in between. The reason? Mostly pick up where various jobs were not totally complete or satisfactory to me. People walk the moment they get paid. Hold back 10% and they might just shine that on.

I should come to work for you. (No, not looking for a full time job )

Oh, and I had the most fun welding repairs to some 1930's wrought iron gates. That's a strong hobby of mine ever since the 911 restoration days.

Good to see that you come out of retirement and get some exercise in moving about at the job site humping a bit of lumber. I hate humping lumber. I still do a some of the finish work. No more base and case, no fun.

Pick up? Yeah, story of my life but that's the nature of the beast in this business. My two guys do a fair bit of pick up work. They can't seem to understand why these subs can't just complete everything. They always seem to leave a couple of things without completion. I don't even try asking anymore as long as the donkey work is complete, the rest of the little things are just part of the business to pick up and finish up. They are usually small that can be done within a few hours. I do know this, they can't clean with a damn. ASking them to clean up their siht is like pulling teeth.

I cna't weld with the damn.

[ckelly78z]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

Young guys can't seem to find the framing APP that allows them to just stare at thier Phone...

Much more truth in that statement than we all want to believe. I'm sure if framing/roofing were all done on line, there would be a glut of over qualified "workers".

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by look 171

I am not too good with framing (Too slow and precise).

I'm not the best guy for trim- I do it the same way I frame:
Cut it with a skilsaw, bang it into place with a sledge.

[Superman]

I deal with the construction industry though I am not a craftsman. There is a great need for craftsmen these days and a dirth of young people willing to consider those careers. Shame. Those jobs pay good wages and benefits. For the more skilled crafts, in Seattle, the wage/benefit package is in the $70 per hour range. These jobs cannot be outsourced. Kids are not interested and high schools pretend everyone will go to college. Shame.

when we started up in 2011, a single craigslist ad got us 110 applicants. Last year, we'd be lucky to get 2 or 3. And we did mostly demo.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

I'm not the best guy for trim- I do it the same way I frame:
Cut it with a skilsaw, bang it into place with a sledge.

hahahaha funny