Hill Wimp
Fair weathered,fair minded but easily persuaded.
#covermyarsefriday it's called.
Non-Desk Jobs
- Thread starter Snizzlepops
- Start date
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Tanis8472
Guru
Undertaker part time. Get to see some rather disturbing sights at times.
Gravity Aided
Legendary Member
- Location
- Land of Lincoln
Bus driver for a large company, driving employees from building to building. Very nice work, after years in photo lab and retail management.
Richard A Thackeray
Legendary Member
I worked in one of those, in Leeds, for 11 years, but got out before digital really took over
All closed down now, with all the lab staff, & the staff of 120+ (owned, not rented) shops gone
I know, I talk to some
'Ditto' at our Mortuary on occasions
Tanis8472
Guru
The deceased? Lol
Richard A Thackeray
Legendary Member
You get more sense from them, than some NHS managers
I'm an upholsterer.
Mostly domestic rather than pubs and clubs but as I work for myself and mostly by myself that's OK, it suits me.
I've been doing it for about 30 years now and while all jobs get samey after a while almost every job I undertake is different in some respects. My days are varied and even though it might be ''another sofa'' to recover, every piece has it's own idiosyncrasies which makes things interesting. The techniques are the same but each job is different.
Antique furniture is more difficult and time consuming but it makes a change from working with modern stuff. I do get some unusual commissions which keep me on my toes such as this:
A 2m x 3m x .7m deep pit laid into a floor and lined with leather cushioning. Made from scratch.
Sometimes it can be dirty:
But when it's done it's worth it:
So I do repairs and recovers, supply fillings, fix broken frames and springs and so on.
You would think that in the days of mass produced cheap furniture a trade like mine would be dying out. The fact is I have never been busier. I'm booked out until I go away in August and have a load of sofas to do for a hotel when I come back.
More than that though is that at the end of the day I have the satisfaction of seeing the results of my work, that knowing people appreciate what I do for them.
I had an office job for years, although even then I would get 'on-site' a good bit. I wouldn't go back.
Mostly domestic rather than pubs and clubs but as I work for myself and mostly by myself that's OK, it suits me.
I've been doing it for about 30 years now and while all jobs get samey after a while almost every job I undertake is different in some respects. My days are varied and even though it might be ''another sofa'' to recover, every piece has it's own idiosyncrasies which makes things interesting. The techniques are the same but each job is different.
Antique furniture is more difficult and time consuming but it makes a change from working with modern stuff. I do get some unusual commissions which keep me on my toes such as this:
A 2m x 3m x .7m deep pit laid into a floor and lined with leather cushioning. Made from scratch.
Sometimes it can be dirty:
But when it's done it's worth it:
So I do repairs and recovers, supply fillings, fix broken frames and springs and so on.
You would think that in the days of mass produced cheap furniture a trade like mine would be dying out. The fact is I have never been busier. I'm booked out until I go away in August and have a load of sofas to do for a hotel when I come back.
More than that though is that at the end of the day I have the satisfaction of seeing the results of my work, that knowing people appreciate what I do for them.
I had an office job for years, although even then I would get 'on-site' a good bit. I wouldn't go back.
Attachments
- Location
- The TerrorVortex
Electronic engineer here.
Was persuaded to move from a bench to a desk.
I. farking. farking. Really. farking. Hate. It.
I'm looking for a get my hands dirty engineering job again. While I still have my sanity.
Was persuaded to move from a bench to a desk.
I. farking. farking. Really. farking. Hate. It.
I'm looking for a get my hands dirty engineering job again. While I still have my sanity.
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I travel around mostly Europe, sometimes further afield, to commission newly sold equipment for plasma based etch and deposition used in semiconductor fabrication and related fields.
The job involves training customers on operation of the tools, and demonstrate that they perform to the specifications. Most customers are universities, but I get to visit proper production facilities every now and then as well.
I enjoy it very much, working in new environments and on new challenges every week.
I hope to never have the word manager in my job title. The lab is where I belong.
The job involves training customers on operation of the tools, and demonstrate that they perform to the specifications. Most customers are universities, but I get to visit proper production facilities every now and then as well.
I enjoy it very much, working in new environments and on new challenges every week.
I hope to never have the word manager in my job title. The lab is where I belong.
classic33
Leg End Member
Sh*t Stirrer, Agitator(Paid).
Both similar in the work being done, but the first one required being in it, upto the waist at times. Normally a little over knee deep though.
The second, was done from the side. Human waste only.
Neither a job for those with a weak stomach, on a warm day.
Both similar in the work being done, but the first one required being in it, upto the waist at times. Normally a little over knee deep though.
The second, was done from the side. Human waste only.
Neither a job for those with a weak stomach, on a warm day.
Worked in warehousing since the 80s, seen and experienced the massive changes over the years, mainly H&S and automation. Looking to retire shortly and stack shelves in any supermarket part time ! Any part time job offers in Wigan area would be gratefully received
OP
OP
Snizzlepops
Active Member
Wowzers everyone! What a great variation of work you all have done/ are doing! 
As a few of you have mentioned, I have worked in retail before as well and it was great being on my feet moving stock etc but rarely got the respect from customers and managers! But luckily that was when I was a student and soon got out of that rotten industry. Since then I have worked in a large warehouse company, a theater and office equipment supplier. All very varied but I need back on my feet soon before my eyes go square.
I think the most inspiring for me was upholstery - something I have considered before as I have quite a crafty background outside of paid work and my OH works in furniture design
All the best for the morning fellow desk drivers xx
As a few of you have mentioned, I have worked in retail before as well and it was great being on my feet moving stock etc but rarely got the respect from customers and managers! But luckily that was when I was a student and soon got out of that rotten industry. Since then I have worked in a large warehouse company, a theater and office equipment supplier. All very varied but I need back on my feet soon before my eyes go square.
I think the most inspiring for me was upholstery - something I have considered before as I have quite a crafty background outside of paid work and my OH works in furniture design
All the best for the morning fellow desk drivers xx
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
I'm back to my desk jockey job tomorrow. Fortunately I have a sit/stand desk on order.
upholstery - something I have considered before as I have quite a crafty background outside of paid work and my OH works in furniture design
Get an old piece a small chair or some such and have a go.
Just pay attention to how it comes apart. What you see under the top cover, the various bits of stitching , different layers etc will be there for a reason. Miss any out and it could mess up the finished product. Especially true with antique horsehair stuffed furniture.I got into doing this in a very round about way. Started off sub-contracting everything but while that sounds OK in theory, in practice it was a nightmare.
I began by doing small repairs myself and gradually began doing more complicated stuff. Eventually I was doing it all myself. I taught myself to sew using Mrs Colly's tiny sewing machine. (buggered it up mind you)
There are things I won't tackle but that isn't because I can't do them it's more that I know how long it would take me and it would get ludicrously expensive for the customer.
If you do, give me a shout.
