A Door Closed Yesterday... Another Opened

[cp1969]

Harvey, I hate to see your wife suffering like that, what a horrible place to have to hang out.
Scott, I've been cranking handles on Bridgports and Clausings for 40 years or so my self. Our company was going through a buyout with GE in March and everybody was up in the air with that deal till it fell through. These times sure aren't like our fathers time when a guy could work at the same place his entire life and retire with a comfortable pension. You might go look for Harvey's wife, you can see how she's suffering having to look at that awful scenery. I may just have to check that out myself!! Good luck to ya.

Thank your lucky stars that the GE deal fell through. Nothing good would have come of that.

 

[rox]

Scotty,
Awe geeze! Well I guess when one door closes another opens, right?
I also support the idea of agriculture, with a little woodworking thrown in, and also some independent tool & die. What does your wife do BTW? Does she have a career outside the home?

I guess God gives us inante gifts and talents. Unbelievabley I have one that probably everyboidy hates. I write unbelievably fantastic resumes. Just based on what you have shared about yourself here, I would say that your bes resume would be a "functiuonal" resume, which not very many people know how to write. I once wrote a functional resume for a friend who worked a his same company for 25 years and when I was done he was so impressed with homself that he went out and had the pick of many jobs.

A functional resume looks rather like this, and I'm going to make stuff up just so that you get the idea- A Functional resume works best for people who have a strong technical background-

Engineering and design specifications- 30 years experience reading, interperting and applying engineering designs and specifications in blah blah blah metals, plastics and wood [XYZ Company 13 years]

Mold Maker- producing manufacturing molds fro design and engineering specifications with tolerances within 1,000 of an inch. Complex molds made of ceramic which produced graphite components with up to 27 diferent planes, both linear and also sphers and XZZ. One of 3 mold makers for 500 billion dollar manufacturer. [ABC company 23 years]

Wood craftsman- utilizing (name a bunch of tools and equipment) producing fine wod furniture [self 36 years]

Then at the end of your resume you list the company name, start and end date and positions held.

Thinl of every single thing you know and put your skills, talents and epertice in areas of the resume. Use name like Bridgport mill etc. What you want to show is a great bredth of technical skills and knowledge. The at the end you show where you used them. I would be happy to help you, jsut pm me.

What would it hurt to do a bang up resume and send it out? You can throw a wide net and then if you want to turn down jobs, but at least get offers.

Scotty I jsut lnow you are going to come out on TOP!!!!!!!! You ahve the love and support of a wife and children and many many people don't ahve that. Good Luck! Keep us posted. Tehre are bound to be some down times but I know you are strong and resourcefull enough to get around anything that is thrown in your path. Plus I really do like agriculture Scotty, think of that as an option.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Sorry to hear that, Scotty. Looks like you are handling it well, I am sure you in a year from now you will be better off.

Good luck with your job hunting - or the same if you go on your own.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I lost my job in semiconductor manufacturing four years ago when our work went overseas. I immediately fell back on something I had done before electronics schooling and 20 years of manufacturing work, driving truck.

For the first few years, I sent our a lot of resumes and attended a lot of job fairs to no avail. One gets sick of hearing, "while your qualifications are commendable, we have other more qualified applicants", ie; you are too old.

Initially, my pension provided free medical but due to the costs of administering the program, we have had to kick in more and more and now pay out 280/month for my self and 280/month for my wife who also lost her job at the same company. The medical costs and the loss of five weeks of vacation a year are what really hurt.

I kind of have myself stuck in a financial rut and do make a good buck driving so I am sort of stuck with that for now. However, I think the best bet if at all possible is to go into business for yourself if at all possible.

I have some friends who have done that. They do work hard but are not stuck in a deadend job and in a few years, they plan on selling off their businesses once they reach true retirement age.

 

[scott_vt]

Good Afternoon Guys,
I just wanted to take a minute for all the members who took time to reply with some great suggestions ! Its funny, but many of the suggestions are just what I was thinking also !

Kathleen and I have had a chance to sit down and look over all the figures, both my severance package along with our own financial situation. Actually it doesnt look that bad, Kathleen is leaning on me to just work part time and also invest some money in some basic machine shop equipment. Probablly a small lathe and small miller. I could do my tinkering along with some small side work. Actually when I was at work I was allowed to do some machining on my own time for a guy that reproduces antique wood planes cast out of bronze. I would like to be able to continue doing that along with some other stuff.

I have thought about driving trucks which Im capable of also ! So we are going to take a little time off and try and determine which way we are going !

BTW Harvey I really enjoyed the picture of your wife, that says it all ! After over 35 years of a formalized work enviroment, havin to be some place at a certain time and not leaving until a certain time I really dont want to go back to that if at all possible !!! Im fortunate in the fact that Kathleen has a very good job, so that takes the majority of the heat off !

So with that I say thanks again, and will keep ypu posted as to how this whole thing unfolds !

 

[EddieWalker]

Scotty,

Reading your post and your thought on buying a few macining tools reminds me of my needs for a machine shop. Here in Tyler, there is one guy that everyone recomends to get work done. He does everything and has a dozen guys working full time. He's good, reliable and has a friendly personality. He will machine an engine and/or build it for you with a warantee. He's extremely busy.

My thought is that there might be just such a situation in your area. If you specialize in something that people need and do it well, you will be busier then you can handle. It's the basic rule of business, but also the one thing that is so hard to find. I think you have the personality and character to be very successful at making clients happy.

Eddie

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Scott, sad to hear it, but you said it best yourself. One door closes, another one opens. I have heard many stories over the years about people in your same situation. Many of them are better off now than if they never lost their job. Some of them crawled into a hole and never came out. It's all how you deal with it. Good luck.

 

[jimg]

Good Afternoon Guys,
Kathleen and I have had a chance to sit down and look over all the figures, both my severance package along with our own financial situation. Actually it doesnt look that bad, Kathleen is leaning on me to just work part time and also invest some money in some basic machine shop equipment. Probablly a small lathe and small miller. I could do my tinkering along with some small side work. Actually when I was at work I was allowed to do some machining on my own time for a guy that reproduces antique wood planes cast out of bronze. I would like to be able to continue doing that along with some other stuff.

So with that I say thanks again, and will keep ypu posted as to how this whole thing unfolds !

Glad to hear youre going to stay a machinist! Thats also *really* interesting about the repro planes. You could build quite the business making repros + parts for rarer mdls. Id like to know how that all plays out. You could easily work yourself into a FT job.

 

[ToadHill]

Sorry to hear about your plight. I know how you feel, in the mid 80's I worked in the Human Resources at the Buffalo Westinghouse plant. I was responsible for employe benefits. (At Westinghouse employee is spelled with one "e" as the president years before had spelled it that way and no one would correct him.)

They announced the closing of the plant in 1984 and for the next 2 years I had to describe their benefits to all who were laid off or retired. The plant went from 6200 down to under 300 when my time finally came. It was a relief after all that time to get my notice. It's hard at first but it's also a chance to fine what you really want to do for your remaining work years.

 

[Bird]

I worked in the Human Resources at the Buffalo Westinghouse plant. I was responsible for employe benefits.

My first thought when I saw that was to ask what you did after being laid off, but I guess you profile explains that. Our younger daughter had been with the same small company (about 150 employees) for 9 years and had the same job you did. And a week ago, she resigned to take the same position with a company with over 40k employees. At least she wasn't laid off; just took another job that she thinks will have more job security and she knows pays a bigger salary. And she left her prior company on good terms and with outstanding performance ratings. I suppose, in this day and age, she was lucky.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Scotty,

Sorry to here this happen but sould like you have some good plans in the works. The machinist part sounds good. I sell for a large job shop and many of the companies I do machine work for also use small shops, some with just 1 or 2 people. One you let some of the companies know what you are capable of doing and your past experience I don't think you would have a problem getting machine work. The woodworking could also fill in the gaps as well as part time truck driving.

Diversify yourself with several occupations.

Good luck and I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers!

David

 

[hazmat]

Scotty,

Well all I can say is, Good Luck in your future endeavors.

Let us know if you do open your own little shop. I've got some mods I want to do with my MMM which would involve a couple small brackets that I don't have the equipment to fabricate on my own, well at least not to my standards (I suppose I could hack at them with my cutoff saw & drill press...)

You could probably do some good business just by advertising on tbn. Small parts are easy to ship in low quantities.

 

[dooleysm]

"You could probably do some good business just by advertising on tbn. Small parts are easy to ship in low quantities."

I totally agree. I was just thinking about building a brooder pen for some chickens this spring. It would take too long to describe the parts I wanted, but I don't have the skill or tools to make them, and would have gladly paid a few bucks for someone to make them for me and ship them out here.

Anyway, I know what it's like to get laid off, as it happened to me about 2 years after I got out of school. I had just bought a harley and a house (in that order) and had some pretty steep bills coming in with minimal savings. Fortunately I was younger and in a very marketable field and landed a new job in 2 days. It worked out great for me, as I hated the guy I worked for and ended up moving closer to my future wife.

On a related note, my parents just up and sold their house and moved closer to us (and the rest of our family). They didn't have any jobs lined up and were content to be 'retired' for a while. My mom started substitute teaching while both continued looking for work. They've both been on many interviews and been told time and time again that they are overqualified. Neither one wants anything glorious, just an 'easy' job to provide health insurance. That's the big problem for them. They aren't old enough for medicare, but are old enough that insurance costs a fortune.

 

[DocHeb]

Hazmat - I'll bounce this off you since my comment is similiar - I need a couple brackets made out of 3/8 inch steel, but I don't have any metalworking tools or skills. None of the shops that I've found in the area would even talk to me (yeah, they would, but they need a $250 "setup" charge to get started.) This achieved the desired affect - just make me go away .

 

[jbrumberg]

scotty:

Sorry to hear about your "displacement". I can also relate to your situation. All I can say is take advantage of the time, monies, and support now offered you. I have become happier (maybe not richer) with each of my displacements. Good luck and keep hanging in there- Jay

 

[hazmat]

Hazmat - I'll bounce this off you since my comment is similiar - I need a couple brackets made out of 3/8 inch steel, but I don't have any metalworking tools or skills. None of the shops that I've found in the area would even talk to me (yeah, they would, but they need a $250 "setup" charge to get started.) This achieved the desired affect - just make me go away .

you need to find the little guy who will crank it out in an hour from stock he has laying around for $75 cash.

I work for a *very* large company, I can certainly understand the $250 setup fee. It costs the machine shop money to log you in to their system, generate a bill etc. etc. etc.

We've calculated that to bring a new part number into stock it costs in excess of $700 - just to get it into the system(s), receive it, inspect it, put it away, & kit it to the production line. All this could be for a $0.02 washer.

Obviosly the small guy has much less overhead.

 

[sandman2234]

DocHeb,
If you have a drawing of the part you need, send it to me. If I have the material, I might be able to do it. I do have the time, at least for now. Hopefully next week things will change on my end and I will get to go back to work!!
David from jax

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Hazmat - I'll bounce this off you since my comment is similiar - I need a couple brackets made out of 3/8 inch steel, but I don't have any metalworking tools or skills. None of the shops that I've found in the area would even talk to me (yeah, they would, but they need a $250 "setup" charge to get started.) This achieved the desired affect - just make me go away .

No, that's called "We're real busy but if you pay us more than the job we're on we'll do it."

 

[AlanB]

Scott, hate to hear it, but sounds like you have it under control.

I would echo what hunterridgefarm said, diversity can be key, then narrow in on what you like as the business develops.

Whatch that other discussion going on about SS benefits, and when and how they are figured, it can play a huge role in your future income.

My 2 cents (and it may not be worth that) on the woodworking etc. is to build finished pieces and sell them. If you start doing commision work, until you get to the point where you can charge "whatever" it can be real frustrating.

I have a very talented friend, that does hourly commision work, and does real well, and from the sound of it, you could do it as well if you can connect with the customers.

He does EVERYTHING to the bodies etc. of exotic cars. Need a taillight made for a 1942 RR cast out of unobtanium, he does that, need a custom peice of rolled stainless dash trim used in a 1912 dusawhatever, yep, he can fabricate that, need a set of hubcaps spun for a 19whatever Chord, Yep, made them One of the latest ones, was

Need a 3/4 scale model of a horse drawn fire pumper engine thing to pull behind the 3/4 scale horses you had specially bred to pull it???? yep, call Ron.

It is really cool to go into his shop and see the projects going on (one man shop) Somedays it is interior work, somedays, metal casting, somedays machine work, somedays exotic woodwork, but always interesting, and now, after many long years, he is charging what he is worth and the backlog is so long to get in, that they stopped accepting orders.

Sounds like you have many of the same attributes. Now you just need to find the customers that will pay the $$$$ to make it worthwhile.

 

[scott_vt]

Good Afternoon Guys,
OK its been a whole month of runnin different scenarios of what the heck Im gonna do, why I want to do it, if I want to do it, when I want to do it etc... I wanted you all to know that Im not gonna sit around and do nothin...

I found a great part time job driving a flatbed car carrier for a local auto wrecking company, heres a pic of my new office http://www.fleetsaleswest.com/photos/International_4700_1300_1.jpg

Actually the truck Im driving is a 92 International DT 466 diesel, but they may be gettin a new truck soon ! The other full time guy has a new carrier.

Im still lookin into a milling machine and a lathe to do some small jobs, couple of potential customers !

In the end I decided after 35 years of machining, I have kind of had it with doing that for other companies, and am really lookin at four walls working inside I may have a different view after working out in the cold for a week or so, but I dont think I will ! So thats the big update~!

Merry Christmas !!!