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I am ready to go back to hobby sawing for myself.

Started by ozarkgem, August 30, 2016, 07:09:20 PM

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longtime lurker

How prospective employers view a history of self employment is going to be directly influenced by how you view that history yourself.

See the thing is that being self employed does change you. It teaches you a skill set that you cant get being person number 362 on the line at the widget factory. It teaches you to deal with people, it teaches you to be self reliant, and it teaches you to recognise problems and look for solutions, and the simple truth is you cannot succeed being self employed unless you're passionate about what you do, and if you can bring that passion to the new career thats priceless. Those are attributes that are highly valuable to any employer.

But its how you present those attributes that makes you suitable for a job or not. Theres not a lot of places for a one man band in an orchestra: If you can present how those strengths can benefit the new team as a whole you become an asset. If you just want to be a one man band in the middle of my performance then you're going to be always out of tune.

You've been self employed: present yourself as a prospective employee that you yourself would want to hire.

The quickest way to make a million dollars with a sawmill is to start with two million.

longtime lurker

Quote from: ozarkgem on August 31, 2016, 05:08:48 PM
I am very comfortable with my decision. Re-leaved might be a better word. I will keep my mill and go in a different direction. I got to thinking about all the stuff I need to get to be able to sell quality lumber, kiln, buildings, planer, moulder, log yard and on and on. Not worth it. Keep it small and keep it all.

Theres a lot to be said for that.

As mentioned previously I've been thinking on it a lot lately myself: I'm not ready to leave this industry but the overall strategic direction I'm currently taking isnt necessarily the one I want to be on. For me the question is can I find away to get from A to E without going through b, c and d. I've pretty much had to vertically integrate for want of a contractor base - there are good points in that in terms of being able to guarantee supply when I want it but it also means that I've got equipment that doesnt really pay its way, requires seat time to work, and time is the most precious commodity I have.
Realistically I need to spend another 1/2 million dollars to get where I want to go... sure its pre-tax dollars, and its exponential growth, and its equipment that pays for itself... but thats a lot of money any way you look at it. Not impossible when all said and done given where I am in life. But not easy either, and much as I love to drive a mill theres a part of me that looks at that number and thinks how many more 8 days weeks it'll take and wonders if theres an easier way. And part of me knows that behind that will be another half million because thats how I'm wired.

I love sawmilling. I cannot think of another thing I'd want to do every day to make a living... and I can see myself being 90 years old and still running  a mill on the days I want to. But I like fishing too, and spending time with my wife, and travelling, and a whole heap of other things that I cannot find time for because I'm running a sawmill.

Ergo: I need a bigger faster sawmill so I can take time off occasionally :D
The quickest way to make a million dollars with a sawmill is to start with two million.

Satamax

Ozarkgem, in France, 65 is an age where nobody wants to work anymore, except if they realy realy have to. Or they are dang politicians.

Legal age was 60, turning to 62 now. 64 in few years. Supposedly, i can do that when i'm 62 1/2. 20 years to go approximately.

Read the book early retirement extreme. And leave the mess to others to deal with it!  ;D
French CD4 sawmill. Latil TL 73. Self moving hydraulic crane. Iveco daily 4x4 lwb dead as of 06/2020. Replaced by a Brimont TL80 CSA.

venice

@Satamax

You are sooo bad... 

Next thing we are going to see is a bunch of american refugees looking for early retirement.  :D

venice






WV Sawmiller

Quote from: Satamax on August 31, 2016, 06:03:38 PM
Ozarkgem, in France, 65 is an age where nobody wants to work anymore, except if they realy realy have to. Or they are dang politicians.

Legal age was 60, turning to 62 now. 64 in few years. Supposedly, i can do that when i'm 62 1/2. 20 years to go approximately.

Read the book early retirement extreme. And leave the mess to others to deal with it!  ;D

Venice, Et. Al.,

   In Norway the average work week was 35 hours when I was there in 2007-2009. We had to be careful not to exceed that with most of our team when there. Most expat construction workers like us expected to work 60-70 hours a week then have longer breaks between. When working in Iraq and Afghanistan the norm was 84 hours per week then 2-3 weeks off every 8 weeks.

    Also many, if not most, European countries start off with 4 weeks mandatory vacation instead of starting with none or 1 week then building up an additional week every 5-10 years. I usually got TOWP which you built up weekly but that was also your sick leave, holiday pay and vacation.

    Good luck.
Howard Green
WM LT35HDG25(2015) , 2011 4WD F150 Ford Lariat PU, Kawasaki 650 ATV, Stihl 440 Chainsaw, homemade logging arch (w/custom built rear log dolly), JD 750 w/4' wide Bushhog brand FEL

Dad always said "You can shear a sheep a bunch of times but you can only skin him once

ozarkgem

Quote from: Satamax on August 31, 2016, 06:03:38 PM
Ozarkgem, in France, 65 is an age where nobody wants to work anymore, except if they realy realy have to. Or they are dang politicians.

Legal age was 60, turning to 62 now. 64 in few years. Supposedly, i can do that when i'm 62 1/2. 20 years to go approximately.

Read the book early retirement extreme. And leave the mess to others to deal with it!  ;D
I tried retirement for a few hours. Hated it. I get great satisfaction from doing a hard days work. I really don't like to take Sundays off. I hate to waste a day doing nothing. That is the most worthless feeling there is. I think in Europe they are a little more laid back and maybe have a bigger social network. I have a very limited number of friends. Only 2 ever come to my house. I live alone. No pets. Maybe its my bathing schedule. I have to accomplish something every day. Its what keeps me going. I don't fish, play golf, go the the casino or what ever. I have no vices. Thank you for the thought though. Do you think you will retire and do nothing? Just wondering.
Mighty Mite Band Mill, Case Backhoe, 763 Bobcat, Ford 3400 w/FEL , 1962 Ford 4000, Int dump truck, Clark forklift, lots of trailers. Stihl 046 Magnum, 029 Stihl. complete machine shop to keep everything going.

ozarkgem

This may be working in my favor already. One of my customers I did a kitchen Island for last spring called and he wants some custom made doors and Cedar cabinets for his get away house. I can build it all here and deliver and install. No messing with people.
Mighty Mite Band Mill, Case Backhoe, 763 Bobcat, Ford 3400 w/FEL , 1962 Ford 4000, Int dump truck, Clark forklift, lots of trailers. Stihl 046 Magnum, 029 Stihl. complete machine shop to keep everything going.

ozarkgem

Quote from: longtime lurker on August 31, 2016, 05:47:16 PM
Quote from: ozarkgem on August 31, 2016, 05:08:48 PM
I am very comfortable with my decision. Re-leaved might be a better word. I will keep my mill and go in a different direction. I got to thinking about all the stuff I need to get to be able to sell quality lumber, kiln, buildings, planer, moulder, log yard and on and on. Not worth it. Keep it small and keep it all.

Theres a lot to be said for that.

As mentioned previously I've been thinking on it a lot lately myself: I'm not ready to leave this industry but the overall strategic direction I'm currently taking isnt necessarily the one I want to be on. For me the question is can I find away to get from A to E without going through b, c and d. I've pretty much had to vertically integrate for want of a contractor base - there are good points in that in terms of being able to guarantee supply when I want it but it also means that I've got equipment that doesnt really pay its way, requires seat time to work, and time is the most precious commodity I have.
Realistically I need to spend another 1/2 million dollars to get where I want to go... sure its pre-tax dollars, and its exponential growth, and its equipment that pays for itself... but thats a lot of money any way you look at it. Not impossible when all said and done given where I am in life. But not easy either, and much as I love to drive a mill theres a part of me that looks at that number and thinks how many more 8 days weeks it'll take and wonders if theres an easier way. And part of me knows that behind that will be another half million because thats how I'm wired.

I love sawmilling. I cannot think of another thing I'd want to do every day to make a living... and I can see myself being 90 years old and still running  a mill on the days I want to. But I like fishing too, and spending time with my wife, and travelling, and a whole heap of other things that I cannot find time for because I'm running a sawmill.

Ergo: I need a bigger faster sawmill so I can take time off occasionally :D
I am a big fan of vertical integration. That is pretty much what I do now just on a smaller scale than you. I logged the logs using minimal equipment and sawed the lumber for the upcoming cabinet job. Not a lot of time in logging and sawing the lumber for that job but should be pretty good money. 
Mighty Mite Band Mill, Case Backhoe, 763 Bobcat, Ford 3400 w/FEL , 1962 Ford 4000, Int dump truck, Clark forklift, lots of trailers. Stihl 046 Magnum, 029 Stihl. complete machine shop to keep everything going.

thecfarm

ozarkgem,you live on a 250 foot square lot??  ???  Retirement,I would love it. I did take about 2 years off. I had to go back to work to get a rest.  ;D  I have many,many,many projects around here. I worked on a few of them in the 2 years,just never finished any of them. I would enjoy working my wood lot for one.  I can't keep up with it now. Reclaim more of the grown up pasture. But that produces more work,places to be leveled out,rocks to be dug,more mowing. I could keep a crew busy here,just could not afford to pay them. Just like it's getting dark now at 7:45. The big lights will be coming out quick.
Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

ozarkgem

Quote from: thecfarm on August 31, 2016, 08:38:00 PM
ozarkgem,you live on a 250 foot square lot??  ???  Retirement,I would love it. I did take about 2 years off. I had to go back to work to get a rest.  ;D  I have many,many,many projects around here. I worked on a few of them in the 2 years,just never finished any of them. I would enjoy working my wood lot for one.  I can't keep up with it now. Reclaim more of the grown up pasture. But that produces more work,places to be leveled out,rocks to be dug,more mowing. I could keep a crew busy here,just could not afford to pay them. Just like it's getting dark now at 7:45. The big lights will be coming out quick.
Where did you get the 250 ft sq lot?  I have 2 places. 18 acres where I live in a cabin and 42 acres where my other cabin is. My cabin I live in is 800 sq ft. I love cabins.
Mighty Mite Band Mill, Case Backhoe, 763 Bobcat, Ford 3400 w/FEL , 1962 Ford 4000, Int dump truck, Clark forklift, lots of trailers. Stihl 046 Magnum, 029 Stihl. complete machine shop to keep everything going.

thecfarm

You said you tried retirement for a few hours and hated it. You would rather put in a hard day's work. With a 250 foot square lot there is not much to do. I just thought you did not have the land to find something to do.  ;D  My land beckons me every morning as I leave for work.  :( I do not need a job to keep me busy. I would much rather do a hard day's work on my own land.  :) Pay may not be as good,but I sure do enjoy it alot more.
Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

ozarkgem

Quote from: thecfarm on August 31, 2016, 08:58:30 PM
You said you tried retirement for a few hours and hated it. You would rather put in a hard day's work. With a 250 foot square lot there is not much to do. I just thought you did not have the land to find something to do.  ;D  My land beckons me every morning as I leave for work.  :( I do not need a job to keep me busy. I would much rather do a hard day's work on my own land.  :) Pay may not be as good,but I sure do enjoy it alot more.
Yes my two places keep me busy but I consider it work. Maybe not paying work but still work and just as satisfying as a real job. Since my health insurance is going up 600% in Nov I need to make a little money also.
Mighty Mite Band Mill, Case Backhoe, 763 Bobcat, Ford 3400 w/FEL , 1962 Ford 4000, Int dump truck, Clark forklift, lots of trailers. Stihl 046 Magnum, 029 Stihl. complete machine shop to keep everything going.

killamplanes

20 yrs sounds right. Alot of self employed people start of with a job for yrs then plunge in to there own business. So that would probly get them to retirement age. I tell people I am mentally and physically ready to retire but financially not quit there i'm 36 haha....
jd440 skidder, western star w/grapple,tk B-20 hyd, electric, stihl660,and 2X661. and other support Equipment, pallet manufacturing line

Satamax

Quote from: ozarkgem on August 31, 2016, 08:21:11 PM
I tried retirement for a few hours. Hated it. I get great satisfaction from doing a hard days work. I really don't like to take Sundays off. I hate to waste a day doing nothing. That is the most worthless feeling there is. I think in Europe they are a little more laid back and maybe have a bigger social network. I have a very limited number of friends. Only 2 ever come to my house. I live alone. No pets. Maybe its my bathing schedule. I have to accomplish something every day. Its what keeps me going. I don't fish, play golf, go the the casino or what ever. I have no vices. Thank you for the thought though. Do you think you will retire and do nothing? Just wondering.

Ozarkgem, it's good if you're happy working hard. I'd say i work to fight depression. And to keep myself away from the booze. I'm lazy otherwise. If i'm with people, i work. On my own, my mind wanders to other territories. Anything is better than working, for me. If i could retire now. I'd go off traveling, fishing, hunting sailing. Seducing girls. But if i did that, may be my liver would be far worse. I like having my workshop, and being able to do things. I mean, do my own things. Build stoves, bows, guitars, whatever tickles my fancy. But work? Nah, not for me! ;D Earn money to pay more taxes? Endless taxes that mean you're not even owner of the land or house you bought. Leaving the rat race, that's more my goal. Have friends, enough dough to be happy, and still be able to do stuff. And leave all the power hungry, money hungry, fame hungry people to themselves. 
French CD4 sawmill. Latil TL 73. Self moving hydraulic crane. Iveco daily 4x4 lwb dead as of 06/2020. Replaced by a Brimont TL80 CSA.

ozarkgem

Quote from: Satamax on September 01, 2016, 05:31:04 AM
Quote from: ozarkgem on August 31, 2016, 08:21:11 PM
I tried retirement for a few hours. Hated it. I get great satisfaction from doing a hard days work. I really don't like to take Sundays off. I hate to waste a day doing nothing. That is the most worthless feeling there is. I think in Europe they are a little more laid back and maybe have a bigger social network. I have a very limited number of friends. Only 2 ever come to my house. I live alone. No pets. Maybe its my bathing schedule. I have to accomplish something every day. Its what keeps me going. I don't fish, play golf, go the the casino or what ever. I have no vices. Thank you for the thought though. Do you think you will retire and do nothing? Just wondering.

Ozarkgem, it's good if you're happy working hard. I'd say i work to fight depression. And to keep myself away from the booze. I'm lazy otherwise. If i'm with people, i work. On my own, my mind wanders to other territories. Anything is better than working, for me. If i could retire now. I'd go off traveling, fishing, hunting sailing. Seducing girls. But if i did that, may be my liver would be far worse. I like having my workshop, and being able to do things. I mean, do my own things. Build stoves, bows, guitars, whatever tickles my fancy. But work? Nah, not for me! ;D Earn money to pay more taxes? Endless taxes that mean you're not even owner of the land or house you bought. Leaving the rat race, that's more my goal. Have friends, enough dough to be happy, and still be able to do stuff. And leave all the power hungry, money hungry, fame hungry people to themselves.
I am with you on leaving the rat race. I left it about 5 yrs ago. I am still able to make some money and deal with less rats.
Mighty Mite Band Mill, Case Backhoe, 763 Bobcat, Ford 3400 w/FEL , 1962 Ford 4000, Int dump truck, Clark forklift, lots of trailers. Stihl 046 Magnum, 029 Stihl. complete machine shop to keep everything going.

Cedarman

I drew my last pay check in 1981.  I am having a great ride.  Up at 6:15 this morning ready for coffee, e-mails to see the quotes I need to make, read the forum, check Fox News and then later see what is going on at the mill.  My son takes care of seeing that the help gets going and checks the orders to see what needs to be done.  I fill in marking logs, bucking up, moving logs, sawing a little, answering phone calls, loading trucks, doing what needs to be done.  Last chore last night was putting a pallet of T&G on a truck at 8:00. But I watched a little TV, took a nap, ate some supper for a few hours before that.  Monday I practiced retirement for a couple of hours with a friend and coffee at McD's after a good day at the mill. 
Heading in 2 weeks to Mn and Rotochopper  for 2 days of show and tell at their expense.  Got back from 3 days at IWF show in Atlanta.  WOW, what a bunch of vendors, gizmos, and other neat things to look at.  Learned a lot.
I still love the action. 
This thread makes me feel how lucky I am.
I am still in the pink when sawing cedar.
I am in the pink when sawing cedar.

ozarkgem

Nothing better when things are going your way. Keep it up.
Mighty Mite Band Mill, Case Backhoe, 763 Bobcat, Ford 3400 w/FEL , 1962 Ford 4000, Int dump truck, Clark forklift, lots of trailers. Stihl 046 Magnum, 029 Stihl. complete machine shop to keep everything going.

AlaskaLes

There are a lot of sentiments here that I can relate to.
Last paycheck was almost 4 years ago.  Just got tired of the turds out there that think the workplace is a great location to play their little power games.  I tend to think the jobsite is where we should get together and get the job done right!!

My wife and I made the move to our 80 acres and started working out several small lines of income.
I too am inclined to do everything for myself and have built up a serious pile of tools and machines.
Neat thing is that, if I need this tool do build something for me...the people around me need it too.
Seems like every system I set up, turns into another thing to bring in money.  Now I'm not saying we're making big money, but we are making the bills and starting to get some good flow through a few of our lines of work.  Best part is, I get bored easily, so the many angles keeps things fresh.

Most importantly, we are happy improving our little paradise and even the bad days are far better than the old days putting up with a boss I can't get any work out of.

Most days...I wake up about 9am ( not a morning person), surf for tools and skills on the net, and start leaning on something by 10 or 11am.  We work till we're done with the task which may be 7-9pm.
Not much time right now for play as we're leaning hard to get so much built.  But we decide what each day will be and I really like that freedom.

Yesterday, it was Sunny and I needed some parts and supplies from town, 150 miles South.  Woke up and hopped in the Cobra!!  Had a great day running about 300 miles of premium highway and communing with my favorite toy!

Today we're back to fixing things and filling the kiln.   I wouldn't change a thing!!
You can see Mt McKinley from our backyard...Up Close!!

Mighty Mite MK 4B, full-hyd, diesel bandmill
Kubota 4wd 3650GST w/FEL; Forks;
3pt Log Arm& Log trailer
Husky 394XP
Husky 371XP
Husky 353
Echo 330T
Nyle 200M
Robar RC-50 50BMG-just in case the trees get out of line

Engineer

I spent 8 years working for "the man", 12 years self-employed, then back to the corporate offices for a few more years and finally two years ago, to "public service" (aka state employee).  After being jerked around by bosses, employees and customers, I am at a job that I love, working with and for some great folks, and hoping that I can retire from here.  In the meantime, though, I am building my retirement plan - custom woodworking shop, stockpiling lumber, and planning on getting a new mill very soon for hobby sawing and to supplement any future income I may need.  I know things will change significantly in the next 20 years but I hope to be able to saw logs and lumber for myself, build some decent furniture and crafts, and be able to sell a few boards here and there to other hobby woodworkers. 

Peter Drouin

All I can say, is working for yourself can be a lot of work. :D :D :D
A&P saw Mill LLC.
45' of Wood Mizer, cutting since 1987.
License NH softwood grader.

red

Most guys that are self-employed complain their Boss is an Idoit .
Honor the Fallen Thank the Living

Satamax

French CD4 sawmill. Latil TL 73. Self moving hydraulic crane. Iveco daily 4x4 lwb dead as of 06/2020. Replaced by a Brimont TL80 CSA.

drobertson

Sawing custom can be tricky. Just did around 10k bdft for a very nice customer,  no list, talk about walking the tight line, too bas its my last job sawing,
only have a few chain saws I'm not suppose to use, but will at times, one dog Dolly, pretty good dog, just not sure what for yet,  working on getting the gardening back in order, and kinda thinking on maybe a small bbq bizz,  thinking about it,

Magicman

Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman


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