Let me introduce you to the “3 Job Economy”

[FreakinDJ]

I remember being in Korea during the early 70s. Korea then was a 3rd World emerging economy, struggling to over come decades of war torn turmoil.

The Working Class families worked feverishly, (14hr days, 6 -7 days a week) scrimping and saving to get ahead for the first 20 years. Education was not free nor cheap and with the average family income approx. $125 per month, it was difficult to imagine how anyone could possibly work their way out of the “Rat-Race”. But some how they persevered and by the time the average couple was in their mid- 40s they had a small home, and a family business to nurture. This was the model of Economic Prosperity in Korea during the early 1970s.

The family business was their retirement – a working retirement.

As demanding as it may seem to Americans, running and operating a small “Mom and Pop” business was far less demanding then the average work week on “Slave Wages” for Koreans. And it was the only assets they could bestow the children when they departed.

I work in Engineering, my wife is an Architect, and we struggle in today’s economic environment. Fortunately I planned ahead knowing eventually I would want to slow down from the “Every Day Work-a-World, Rat-Race Pace” we have come to know and accept as normal.

Meet my Small Cottage Industry Machine Shop.



Stuffed into my garage is enough production equipment to manufacture. I recently was invited to bid on some “Green Tech” parts that would run by the 1000s. Its not a “Gold Mine” by any stretch of the imagination but it does support itself with enough change left over to make a good difference on the family budget.

No Time Clock, No Boss, and I can burp, spit, scratch my nuts when I feel like it. Best of all – its all mine

[JVS]

1. Do you own your equipment or do you owe money on it?

[FreakinDJ]

2. Bought at auction - $0.10 on the dollar or less

The Great Manufacturing Exodus of 2002 - 2004 provided opportunities to 100s if not 1000s of people just like me.

I don't know what Bush did - but the manufacturing exodus went into "High Gear" in 2002. Many factories and manufacturing facilities didn't even bother to ship over their equipment and just auctioned it off. Others Fired their entire production staff with the exception of the maintenance personnel. Who were assigned the task of unbolting the equipment from the shop floor and preparing it for shipment to China

[NNN0LHI]

3. I used to like operating machine tools

That was my favorite part of going through my apprenticeship to become a Journeyman Machine Repairman at Ford. Didn't get a lot of time on the lathe, mill, grinders and shapers (yea, we used to still use shapers back then) but the time we had to spend in the Machine Shop as part of the apprenticeship was the best time of my life. We used to do a lot of experimenting to see just how much metal we could hog off a piece of steel in one cut at high speeds. Broke a lot of end mills and spent a lot of time at the pedestal grinder sharpening tools after some hellish crashes.

Had some good bosses there too. Mostly old German guys who never lost their accent from the old country. I still know some of them and they are some pretty nice guys. They made sure we learned.

The good old days.

Don

[FreakinDJ]

4. Lathes are great for watching metal fly

Out of the picture is a 12 x 30 and there is a 14 ½ x 60 South Bend in the building adjoining the garage. I think Inconel only comes off 1 way – bright Red!

The market is pretty lethargic right now and I’m mostly modeling projects on my Cam Software and making test runs. A few E-Bone aftermarket consumer products, but that’s it for a few months now.

Already seeing activity in the “Green Tech” sector for parts as I said and hoping a few of my bids will be accepted. Discussed it with the wife and we will be looking to upgrade to a newer VMC and Turning Center as soon as we see orders pick up once again.

I work a 4 day work week at my “Day-Job” and work in my shop as I see fit and at my leisure. It does allow my wife to relax and take good care of our 11 yr old son. And the biggest benifit of all - I'm at Home!!

[adamuu]

5. Be conscious of safety

What will happen if you get injured by one of these machines?
(serious question)

[FreakinDJ]

6. Compared to my "Day Job" its a Walk in the Park

But yes - when the kid walks in and wants to watch I point to the "Safety Glasses" hanging on the wall. The Machines run automatically (CNC or Automatic) and there is very little human interface other then pushing buttons on the panel

My biggest concerns now are how to be "Environmentally Conscious" with things like "Water Soluble Cutting Fluids" and scrap recycling.

[adamuu]

8. does insurance company know there is a kid in the shop? n/t

[WillyT]

7. What... People Can't Scratch Their Nuts In Their Regular Rat Race Jobs ???

It's times like these, that I don't recognize the country of my birth.

:evilgrin:

:hi:

[pilsner]

9. 3 jobs?---uniquely American, that's great n/t