What is your occupation, employment, job or profession?

[Desert_Sailor]

Lawyer ( hence the avatar!)  for a bunch of astronomers building an observatory

[md1400cs]

After 24 years in Publishing and Media...I was finally laid off on December 3rd.   Was with the same company all of that time.   Its a sad story where I had trained my  replacement without knowing I had one.   But in all seriousness,  I knew it was coming because the corporate culture had shifted over the last 3 years and not for the better.

 

So at the age of 47 and with full support from my wife and kids,  I have taken the plunge to become a full-time ship modeler. I am doing restoration work and am quite busy while taking on commissions.  In addition I started Syren Ship Model Company when I realized the ^$^&***  was starting to hit the fan.   It has been very rewarding so far and a huge adjustment to say the least.  At least for this old desk jockey.    I know many have said you cant support yourself as a ship modeler but I can say it is possible...although I have grown to love hot dogs and beans several time a week.....I am kidding of course.

 

Now my office is my workshop....well back to work.....my new boss is a real ball-buster.  Trying to launch new products and projects is quite fun but a real challenge....its a good thing.

 

Chuck 

Chuck,

 

Another sad example of the norms of today's corporate world. I wish good luck to you and your fledgling, but growing business (:-), from which I will be ordering next week.

 

PS: I think that your website is excellent. Super user friendly navigation. Great graphics. Excellent quality of needed nitch products. 

 

PS2: Have you thought about developing generic metal etched sheets? JPett had started a thread early last year about this subject. For example a sheet of all of the metal extras needed for cannon carriages (or cannon door hinges for that matter), but very hard to source; such as hooks, rings bolts with extensions for inserting into the wood carriages. All of those types of things on one sheet.

 

I'm just thinking of the top of my head, but there certainly is a demand for these type of extras. Model car guys have huge amounts of choice here. There is a German vendor that has created entire sets of extras for the HMS Victory beautiful after-market products. 

 

Regards,

 

Michael

Edited March 6, 2014 by md1400cs

[Chuck]

Thanks

 

I have thought about that Michael but for now I am just going to concentrate on getting the word out and creating deadeyes and violin blocks next.  But that will be a few months.   Slow and steady...its a tough adjustment as it is and I m slow walking it.

 

Chuck

[md1400cs]

I had original posted back in this thread at the beginning but thought I would add an up to date post.I had worked in structural steel fabrication for twenty three years on the tools.Built many things including bridges,shopping centres,giant sculptures and the firm I worked for was responsible for all the post fire structural work to Cutty Sark,including jacking up and supporting it, in it's current position.

Last summer I was diagnosed with hand arm vibration syndrome and carpal tunnel.I was told that continuing to use abrasive tools at those levels of exposure would result in complete loss of use of my hands.Despite having this I have over time adapted the way I work to allow me to continue to model.The only big change is I have to use two hands to do carvings.

Having been presented with this news and given that I don't really know anything else other than building model ships,with the help of a government enterprise initiative I decided to take the decision to build these full time.The business is still in the 'fledgling' stage at the moment,but I am fully aware that a reputation is something that is not built overnight.I am eternally grateful though for my wife's fabulous level of support and she has even said that should the need is arise in the future,she will help with the administrative side of things and leave me to concentrate on building.

Kind Regards

 

Nigel

Nigel,

 

Reaching out with very warm thoughts. Oh my, I hope that you can continue circumventing your situation as you are doing, for a long time into the future. Your skills as a superlative artist are certainly known world-wide at MSW. And your work is certainly very commercially viable. I wish you the absolute best of luck going forward.

 

Very Sincerely

 

Michael

[NMBROOK]

Nigel,

 

Reaching out with very warm thoughts. Oh my, I hope that you can continue circumventing your situation as you are doing, for a long time into the future. Your skills as a superlative artist are certainly known world-wide at MSW. And your work is certainly very commercially viable. I wish you the absolute best of luck going forward.

 

Very Sincerely

 

Michael

Sincerely,thank you Michael for your kind words.It is a slow process establishing myself and whilst the 'hourly rate' may not work out  more than I earned previously,I really do enjoy what I do now and like the fact,that for once I do have some control of my own destiny.

Kind Regards

 

Nigel

Edited March 6, 2014 by NMBROOK

[NMBROOK]

Thank you Janos,I am sorry to hear of your accident.The down side to the nerve damage is that is permanent and will never improve,the plus is that it will never get worse provided I stay away from the vibrating tools.I have even binned the Dremel and replaced it with a Proxxon IBE as there is no vibration with this tool,it is super smooth.

You will get to practice your German reading Busmann's book

Kind Regards

 

Nigel

[reklein]

To MD1400cs, If I were going to go pro, I would certainly look into 3D replication of detail parts. Bill

[BRiddoch]

     Retired from US Navy back in 2000 after doing 21 years, 6 months, and 9 days.  Immediatley went to work as a Navy Contractor.  I work on Aircraft Carriers for the Navy in a "Find, Fix, Train" capacity.  Based out of San Diego, I travel to Bremerton, Washington and Yokosuka, Japan a few times a year.  Also get the occasional trip to a port where a Carrier might be.

 

                  Bob R.

[jml1083]

     Retired from US Navy back in 2000 after doing 21 years, 6 months, and 9 days. 

 

                  Bob R.

 

Hi Bob,

 

Funny how we all keep track like that. I got out of the Navy 39 years ago but if you ask anyone in my family how long I was in for they will all tell you 3 years, 9 months and 10 days, not 4 years. I got an "early out" for Christmas of 1974 as my ship was headed back for a 3rd WESPAC. Being a BT in the fireroom I wasn't looking forward to another 6-8 months in warm waters.

[Rustyj]

Many many years ago I was trained as a mechanic and worked on school buses. I got a wild hair and took a

civil service exam and to the amazement of my family and the people I grew up with became a police officer.

After 33 years and 2 months I retired to the relief of my wife and kids.

So I entered retirement for a whole 5 months doing repair work and various other projects that needed do at

my house and both of my daughters homes. I then made it a semi retirement  gig taking on a job over seeing

the security for a large state fair for the past two and a half years.  

 

It gives me time for modeling yet keeps me busy and out of trouble. Well kinda!  

[BRiddoch]

Jim L.,

   I was a BT also.

 

             Bob R.

[jml1083]

Hi Bob,

 

What a coincidence! I was a plankowner on the Cook which was known for steaming. Our shake down cruise was from Boston, MA to Long Beach, CA via the Straits of Magellan. We went into the yards to have BPDMS installed on the fantail then it was off to WESPAC for almost 8 months. Home to LB for 5 months then another WESPAC. When the third one came up and they offered me an early out for Christmas, I took it. I joined the National Maritime Union when I got out but my ship literally never came in. When that didn't work out I became a stationary engineer in NJ and got my Blue Seal license. I was working on my Red Seal when my wife put her foot down - she was tired of the 7 day work weeks and we rotated shifts every 7 days which was painful for newlyweds. That was 35 years ago and I haven't been back in an operating boiler room since then.

[dgbot]

I feel a little low brow.  I worked retail sails for many years and finally could not look myself in the mirror.  I switched and am now working for a company that makes rubber and plastic parts.  I started in shipping then ran a belting slitter was working in the handcut division.  This encompasses anything that is not bought, die cut or done on a waterjet.  A lot of measuring drawing converting of scale.  The running gag is it is called handcut for a reason please pass the bandaids.

David B

[kscadman]

Ive been thru several jobs. I started out in watchmaking school and became a certified watchmaker/ clockmaker and worked in that profession for several years. Then I went to work for a defense contract company in the Tampa St Pete area as a mechanical build technician (thanks to my watchmaking degree - the DOD required it) building the internal components of the gyros for our "big boomers" MX, Peacekeeper, Minuteman & Trident II missiles. Then we all got laid off with the ending of the cold war. Then I moved back to Overland Park, KS and went back to working on clocks & watches. 

 

Finally I went back to college and received degrees in several disciplines of drafting & construction technology and I'm currently working at an architectural firm. I like the work but the extra hours to get the projects out keeps me away from my ship building.

 

Thats my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

Richard 

[Jack Panzeca]

After degrees in Business and Education I was drafted into the Army in 1968.  When I got out I took a job with a movie theatre company and learned to build and equip multiplex theatre complexes.  My first one was a twin.  I worked for three companies over 20 years.  I went out on my own about 1990 and have been doing the same thing ever since.  The complexes are 12 to 20 screens now and film is nowhere to be found. During the last 24 years or so I have worked all over the world designing, building and equipping cinema complexes of all kinds.

 

I retired in January at age 69 after 44 years in the same industry.  I will still do a consulting gig occasionally as long as it does not get in the way of my hobbies.  I am also a serious amateur photographer.  I have had the same Admiral for 34 years and she has shown great tolerance.

 

I have wanted to get serious about model ship building and now seems like the time.  This web site is the best thing to happen to the hobby.  When I first dabbled in model building years ago information and help was hard to come by.  Everything you need is right here.  The one downside is the quality of the artistry here.  I feel like no matter how many years I work at this I will never gain the skills of many here.

 

Thanks for being here and all the help.

[Tim I.]

I have spend the first twelve years of my career as a Senior Project Manager. I finished my Masters Degree in Military History and serve as a Staff Historian for a Military History Museum. I recently started building ships, ironically to facilitate an exhibit at the museum for the USS Constitution.

 

Cheers,

 

Tim

[Jase]

Gosh thinking back I have had a lot of employers.  I started out life as a traditional butcher progressing to department manager in a large supermarket chain.  I then took a year out ran my own music shop selling records before going to college and then University to study politics and Contemporary history specialising in military history.  I had every intention of becoming a lecturer in military history but jobs were few and far between so i got a temporary expediting job for an aerospace defines company rapidly becoming a buyer.  I know work for a large international steel manufacturer as a Purchasing Manager.

[JesseLee]

I am now disabled but was a bench jeweler at a jewelry store for 21 years.

[flying_dutchman2]

 

Something off topic. You have one cool looking beard. Nice and round a wonderful color.

Marc

[jdiven]

Anja

         I am a retired Electron Microscopist and Medical School Staff person for Drexel University and Hospital.

 

J Diven

[Limb77]

This has been a fantastic thread to read. So many interesting careers!

 

I grew up in a resort and wound up buying my own resort (with a huge mortgage) while still in my final year of university. I was too young to know that wasn't wise.  I sold out after only seven years.

 

My schooling is in environmental biology and I spent a few miserable years in a government job counting fish before embarking on my current career.  For over twenty years, now, I have been doing lighting design and sound design for live theatre.  I also do a fair bit of design and construction of special effects and dabble in stage management when the opportunity arises.

 

Its an odd life. As a private contractor, I am either working 20 hour days or not at all and it will never make me rich but the secret is that if they quit paying me, I do it anyway for the fun of it!

 

(Please don't tell on me)

[Jack Panzeca]

Something off topic. You have one cool looking beard. Nice and round a wonderful color.

Marc

Hi Marc,

I appreciate the complement.  My Admiral was certain that the Billy Gibbons look would not be advisable so being a good sailor it is round.  I have had it since I got out of the Army in 1970.  The color is genetic, my father had a white beard and dark hair into his nineties.  Thanks again and I really like your hat.

Jack

[flyer]

After school I completed 4 years training to become a certified mechanic. The army - yes we have one in Switzerland and there is in fact a much simplified version of the Swiss army knife in use - then taught me to drive trucks and to yell at people (making me a sergeant).

 

Looking for something more interesting I went back to school, earned a B.Sc in mechanical engineering and started constructing for automation projects in a large Swiss company. I wasn’t too happy there and fortunately a friend then talked me into trying to join Swissair’s pilot school. They even accepted me at the ripe old age of 26. Flying definitely proved better than working!

 

Since then I’ve flown Douglas, Fokker and Airbus aircraft on short- and long haul sectors, 13 years as a copilot, then 20 years as commander always for the largest Swiss airline. Now I’m looking forward to retirement as working in the airline business really isn’t that much fun anymore.

 

I find it interesting (and a bit frightening) that quite a few fellow modelers are, or were working in the airline business – especially in the engineering section. Somehow gluing odd bits of wood, metal and string together seems to fascinate them. This probably could tell us something about aircraft construction – but I’d rather not know what.

 

Fascination with modeling and ships started young with the usual model trains and Forrester’s books about Hornblower and still holds although my real sailing experience never got better than occasionally capsizing a small sailboat. But through my job I was fortunately able to visit marine museums and ships all over the world – from Stockholm to San Diego and from Cutty Sark to Constitution.

 

Cheers

Peter

 

 

[Spiderpig]

Hi

 

I've had basically the same profession for about 14 years now. Been working as a Store Person for a variety of wholesale warehouses, logistics and manufacturing. Ranging from team leader roles through to simple warehouse floor employees. I have recently decided to make a big change in my career path. Although I love to work in a warehousing enviroment, I felt I was capable of more. So after some study, I have turned the skills and knowledge from my warehousing experience into a new career path of Trainer/Assessor. I start my new career this week training Job seekers, and people who want to gain some qualifications in warehousing, to improve their careers. It will require flying all over the state, as well as metro work to various sites. I am very nervous and excited at the same time.

 

My love for modelling began as a teenager. I must have taken after my Dad. I built dozens of exotic cars, before moving onto fighter jets and such. Due to no income as a lad, I stopped for many years. I got introduced to wooden ship kits by my uncle years ago, and I was mesmorized by them! However when I discovered the cost they were out of my reach. But recently I won Employee of the Month at a previous employer. This gained me a $500 prize, which I used to start this fantastic hobby!

 

That's my life story so far

 

Regards

 

Adam

[omarcs]

I am retired now. I was a computer programmer for 27 years. I also spent 27 years in the Air Force (7 years active and 20 years in Air National Guard). I earned a living as supervisor in a vegetable cannery, and as a supervisor in can making plant. I was a graphic designer for a carton company and an industrial designer for computer peripherals.

[shihawk]

Im afraid i will win the prize for the most boring job of the bunch ,Left agricultural collage in 1978 and have been farming the family farm ever since ,apart from a 4 year period in the construction industry in the early 2000,s  Now semi-retired for several reasons and hope to fully retire in another couple of years and spend the rest of my days trying to build the ultimate model .Have Fun 

[Azzoun]

I'm an Accountant by trade with a CPA. 

[John Allen]

Been out of the loop for months, best friend and buddy of 45 yrs. (wife) finally overcame a serious med problem all is well glad to be back.

Started as a caddy at a golf course Groton Conn. age 12. Marine bioligist aide Dauphin Island Al. led to a career with Alabama Marine Police 26 years on the water, marine enforcement, cross trained Customs officer & National Marine fisheries officer. Member of gulf Coast Blue Lightning Drug task Force. Wife a paramedic I was an EMT reorganized Dauphin Island Fire and Rescue after Hurricane Fredric 1979 (interesting lost our bridge for 3 years no life flight back then). 

 

Retired had to get a real job wife and I started an Investigation company (no domestics) focus on work comp & disability fraud.

Have been blessed with jobs that have been so rewarding and able to assist the public I never looked at any of them as work loved it all.

 

My ego is showing. Am finally able to get back to the Victory.

[Bluerope2013]

Well, here is my first post. Currently Im a Master Military Training Instructor at Lackland AFB. Ive been training the newest Air Force recrutes for 5 years now and will be going back to my transportation job in a month or so. This job has taken its toll on the fam and the ship building, but in a couple of months I will be back to the Essex again. Good to see such a diverse population out there. Enjoy all  !!

[ortho85]

Great fun reading this thread.  Such a cross section of the world!

 

I'm an orthodontist - but not for much longer.  After 9 years as a dentist, then 36 years in orthodontics, I'm retiring in 2 months.

 

Shihawk, I must respectfully disagree with you.  Farming has to be one of the least boring jobs on this earth.

 

Cheers,

 

Brett