What's your day job?

[Professor1]

Sorry that your job got messed up. But does the NHL (or the players) realize that nobody misses them, and that we're just as well off without them? Just like with the last basketball strike? It's time the major sports leagues started noticing stuff like that.

[pinsk94]

My frustration right now is that there are players that are joining the UHL, a single A level of minor league hockey. These guys claim they will not play for millions under a salary cap yet will play in a minor league with an average salary of $500 dollars a week and a $10,000 a week salary cap for 20 players. In turn forcing other kids out of thier jobs. To me, this is hypocracy at its best. Oh well.

[mahayana]

I quit my mechanic job on March 30, the day my mom died. Painting my lawyer's office today- got a case about backwages and no W2 or 1099 form for 2004. Sure is great to be out of there.

Anybody ever try working as a luthier?

I'll probably start some kind of small business, not sure just what yet. Any suggestions?

One thing I'd like to get into is CAD, as I have a background in architecture and a degree in Urban Planning. We used drafting tables and mechanical pencils when I was in school (they tell me that's a bit old-fashioned now).

[dkaplowitz]

I'm a computer nerd (officially a "production web administrator" for a local university). I used to be a Windows admin (have an MCSE), but I very happily chose the righteous path and now I'm a Unix (Solaris) and Linux nerd for pay (and for pleasure). Can't complain too much. I get to be my eccentric self, and they pay for my guitars. All in all a fair shake for the time I spend at work and for the stress I sometimes have to endure.

I fell into it after the last band I was in broke up and I asked myself if I really wanted to deal with other musicians and the music business again. The answer was "no" for a time and I put the guitar down for at least 6 years. I only started playing again some time toward the end of last year. Now I kinda' miss the music business (well, at least I miss the gigs).

[jackhall99]

Executive at a major insurance company.

[epi]

I too was a wrench....Journeyman...quit in '74 for college; I taught Auto Mechanics at Trade Schools for a number of years; Built and repaired Guitars and taught Guitar for years.

I now do some light Guitar repair; do some selective teaching-mentoring; build/market my invention and design new ideas. At times I miss playing-but 30 + years of it was enough for me, the body is no longer willing!

epi

[mahayana]

Hey, epi.

So what about that neck question? Have you ever steamed the neck, pressed it off? I've seen plans for special clamps and a modified cappuccino maker for the steam. Is that the way to go?

[epi]

Hi M.,

I've not seen the question you're referring to! There are a lot of ways to steam a dovetail joint open. The cappuccino machine is a new one to me, but should work fine. A pressure cooker works well: I used a steam Iron. I plugged all but one hole, which I tapped for a small brass fitting and hose, with a hypo needle attached. I used distilled water in the Iron to keep the mineral buildup down.

I built a jig, on the order of a gear puller, to gently apply pressure at the neck heel. Most repairmen have their tricks that work well for them; I think the best is using ingenuity.

If anyone wants to get into repair work, I'd recommend getting a load of junkers; take them apart-carefully, then re-build them. Mistakes are a great teacher! Read and ask questions!

[mahayana]

It was in Questions About The Board/Trouble Posting- in response to your very first post. We've got a little issue about receiving replies since the version change. Explained at Test Messages.

Your recommendation sounds like a good one. I'm imagining getting a bunch of clamps, tools, supplies for the luthier craft.

[epi]

Hi M,

It sounds like you have a real interest in repair work. The trade can always use dedicated, ingenious folks, who can improvise!!

You don't need to spend a lot of $ on tools...most repairmen make their own. Several sizes of C, deep throat and cam clamps, A variety of wood and metal files (Good quality only) and a variety of pipe clamps..I like the ratcheting type. A good set of chisel point drill bits and some quality chisels. Try and find old American made hand tools at Garage sales..the steel is better and they hold an edge. Most of the rest would be in your mechanics tool box. Bondhus brand ball point hex wrenches are the best. A digital caliper is a must, and a good tap & die set... A set of radius gauges from Stewart -McDonald is a must.

If you have questions on this you can contact me by email!

Good Luck!! epi

[epi]

Hi M,

I'm sorry I didn't review that post...Actually, I don't know how to locate responses to posts other than re-read every topic and response; I'm sure there's a better way?

[epi]

...there the post went???

Neck removal con't: I have used pinholes through the neck-body joint fret slot....I've also removed inlays and gone through there. Ist use a soldering Iron to warm the fret, then start very gently at one end of the fret with a small end nipper that's been ground flat...heating the fret while gently squeezing under the fret--it just takes a few moments to do it.

You'll need to separate the fingerboard extension from the body--I use a flat Iron...email me for the specifics. If you get a chipout of the fingerboard...use a tweezers and a touch of super glue to replace it...less is more with super glue!!

Any questions just e-mail.

[womble]

tills at the mace

£3.30 an hour

recognise....

[morjaz]

Womble...it sounds like your rate of pay for working the tills is pretty much the same as it is in NZ...here you'd get 7 or 8 dollars per hour for your age group.At that rate it takes a long time to save up for that archtop........
I myself do signwriting(usually only if it has some pictorial dimension to it)and I paint...at present watercolors....of my hometown's spectacular scenery.Anybody interested in checking out this scenery just google up 'Kaikoura'..and click on 'images'.
Kaikoura is a major stop for tourists....myself and a buddie play at the Strawberry Tree once a week...always to a mix of tourists and locals.We play some jazz,some blues....and throw in a couple of classic rock tunes every now and then to keep the variety bright....