What to do

[Cofe]

I am 51 years old with experience in Power Plant Mechanics, Certified Welding, Oil Field production, and various labor crafts.
I have no job.
What shall I do? Get more education? Spend my retirement and fade out? I just don't know what to do at 51.
I know this is a bad question to submit to this forum, but I frankly don't know what to do.
I am mechanical inclined, and have had experience with work forces. And can overhaul anything from boat motors to car motors. I can weld anything form cast iron to high chromium steel. But I cannot find a job. ......
I am thinking of opening a welding machine shop where I am located. I just needed to rant....and hoping I can make a living. Any input appreciated.

 

[rbh]

Re: What to do

Are you willing to move to were there is work or get a camp job.

Williston ND- OIL BOOM TOWN (bring your own trailer camper as no vacancies)

2000-3000 jobs available.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: What to do

Spend my retirement and fade out?

Yep thats what I'm doing now at 53yrs, .My 2 kids aren't getting it all they didn't earn it.

I am thinking of opening a welding machine shop where I am located.

Try it .

 

[1fishbone]

Re: What to do

I'm in the same boat!

55 years old and I have been doing what ever it takes to keep the bills paid.
I've repaired/maintained anything from hi-tech equipment in semi-conductor labs to welding in submarines.
Last winter/spring/summer I worked on a tobacco farm as a mechanic!
Something else for my memories, but I hardly put any money my pocket.

I have been making less and less every year for the last 5 years.

I tried the welding shop thing about 10 years ago and 'survived'.
The cash outlay and hours didn't add up.

Lately I've been painting inside houses, sold stuff on eBay, raked leaves and pine cones and get about 20 hour a month at a local welding shop, but that will end some...not enough work for his 2 regulars.

I even had to chip into my retirement.

I've told the lie...'I'm taking classes' but can't afford to see the doctor!

Additional education can't hurt, if you can afford it.
Relocate?
I did and my father did it when he needed to!
(you don't have your location listed)

I feel your pain bro!
Keep your left up! Keep sticking that jab!
And don't stop until this round is over!
This isn't our first recession, nor is it our last.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: What to do

If you are willing to relocate to North Central Pa there are plenty of jobs now in the Marcellus shale gas fields. Finding a place to stay is the tough part because most of the drillers are from OK and TX. Local firms are crying for truck drivers with CDL's for hauling stone to develop drill pads and roads to the sites.

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: What to do

You are 51 now. Do you have enough to retire and sustain yourself till you are 80 years old? If not find yourself a job.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: What to do

while not quite in the same boat, boats break and I stay busy.
I just turned 49 and its getting harder and harder to climb in between the engines in crazy places they mount things.
dunno if i will still be able to do it at 60, and thats comeing faster than I care.
do I go back,spend about 4 years finishing my degree in electrical engineering?
I already have done all the electrical and math courses for my associates in electronics.
never got around to the electives.
then ill be looking at at least 54,entry level and not much time left competeing against 25 year olds.
while my retirement fund is growing its just not near fast enough to do what I need and mechanical work is about all I have done since age 15.
never worked fast food,retail or grocery stores.
never did the paper route thing. even in grade school I made more money fixing my buddies lawn mowers than they did mowing grass.
I did get my first chiltons manual in the 3rd grade.
its still about someplace.
covered briggs and stratton,techumseh,clinton,onan and kohler engines.
thats about how long I have attempted twisting wrenches.

 

[j_martin]

Re: What to do

Big part about starting up a small business is to be sure there is a market for the product (welding in this case). If you're in an economically depressed area, nobody will be able to hire you to weld anything. Duct tape will just have to suffice.

I feel for you. A lot of us are potentially in the same boat. I'm working now, but it's obviously a day to day thing. One thing I'm doing is getting everything paid off so I can pull in the horns and hibernate without too much discomfort. Small farm that's paid for sure helps a lot.

I once fed my family of 7 though a long depressing winter with an injury that prevented me from earning more than about $300 a month. Food storage, wood heat, and simple living carried us through. I remember eating a breakfast of whole wheat pancakes with Northern Minnesota wild blueberries in em, and real maple syrup for sweetener. Kinda had to laugh at my poverty at that point.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: What to do

Be thoughtful about what you choose to build a company around. Welding, although extremely useful is not an overly difficult thing to do on average. It does get quite complicated in certain instances and with certain metals or QA requirements etc and as a result requires ticketing, etc, etc.
As a result you don't want to try to run a business doing something that a lot of people can already do and that the equipment required to do it is now cheaper than ever. You would probably need to specialize over the 'backyarders'.
I work in engineering (design/automation/SP) and I am often looking/sourcing shops to do quality work usually machining but occassionaly welding/fab as well. The shops out there (and home shops, garages, backyarders,etc) that are keen to get in there and some of them with little or no overhead (working from home) and quote projects tells me....no way would I want in on trying to make a business and a living in that field.
If you choose to do something that 'leaves the average pack' a little further behind...I recommend it. However, no pain...no gain and this kind of undertaking usually takes more education, training, ticketing, and generally more effort.
Very best of luck to you either way.
BP
ps: As Rob (RBH) mentioned...consider leaving your area for your next phase of work and life. Interestingly up in Canada right now there are lots of metal crews (construction, mill, plant, oil, gas) heavily populated with American workers taken advantage of the resource economy in Canada. Never say never...maybe (5) $100k+ years in a row, albeit a way from home, would help things going into retirement 'back at the ranch'....food for thought.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: What to do

If you're like every true man (emphysis on 'man'), you'll do whatever you have to do to take care of your family. If that means re-education, changing careers, or moving to a new location for employment, that's what you should do.

Sit with your family and describe your requirements and the options that you have. They make the decision for you.

 

[javsam]

Re: What to do

Where do you live? I agree with the others, and recommend moving to an area that has work.Here in Wisconsin ,some companies are actually going to be hiring.Some examples are Marinett Marine (1500 good paying jobs) ,Sargento Foods (700 jobs). I also think, starting a welding business is a big gamble.

 

[avenger79]

Re: What to do

I'll throw another vote for opeingin your own shop. doesn't have to be huge to start with. people always need a good welder, and they can be hard to find sometimes. start out doing the small side jobs and work up.

 

[tswiczko]

Re: What to do

I am 43 years old(6 wks from 44). and am in a similar situation as you.

I was in an auto accident in 06 that left me with 10 screws 2 rods and a plate in my spine. The money recieved from insurance covered attorney fees and surgeries(180K to the Dr.) but that was about it.

I opted for the re-education route. It has been very hard as I had several remedial classes to take. Having been sent to trade school in highschool the educational emphasis wasn't put on science, english, and history as much as it was put on math and mechanics.

I have finaly started my junior year with a 3.2 gpa and am spending 20-30 hours a week in the classroom and almost as much time reading and studying, which doesn't leave much time for work or family.

I wouldn't want to give you advice that might not be right for you, but I can tell you re-education isn't as simple as it sounds. That along with the fact you will probably be changing careers as well and will be starting out at the bottom of the experience ladder also.

good luck

RBH could you send me some info about your area I will need to do an internship soon and whats going on in your area is right up my alley (geology)

 

[dbkerley]

Re: What to do

Do what you love. After all these years there is a road you really wish you would have followed. The worse that can happen - apparently - already has. Start small and be the best.

As I say this I am looking at a custon pen I bought in Hot Springs Arkansas over the weekend from a fellow named Dexter. He was in similar conditions and he and his wife decided it was time to take the hobby to a business and opened a shop on Central last Friday. I had a wonderful time visiting with them and told him to save the other side of the shop for me if I pick up the knifemaking again.

BTW - the pen is an incredible example of his woodworking skills. The top is gold modeled after a 12ga. shell and the clasp is an over/under shotgun with the top barrel turned from water buffalo horn and the lower barrel turned from spalted maple burl with a 30cal. styled lower cap. When you open the pen it continues inside with the tip styled as a 30cal shell and the tip is plated in rose gold to look like a copper plated hollow point.

Whatever you do be the best and clientele will seek you out.

I took a pic. But, it really doesn't do it justice.

 

[Cofe]

Re: What to do

Thank you to all who have taken their time to reply. I sure appreciate the ideas and suggestions. I also feel for you guys that are in a similar boat and are having a difficult time these days.
I am considering opening a shop here, as the welders that are here are in their 70?s, or do not have very many skills. I have the resources to build a small shop and outfit it with welding machines cutting machines and a lathe. I am thinking of talking with my banker on this idea, and also try to get a CNC machine.
I don?t like the idea of going to the construction trades at my age. I am in good health and very fit for my age. But those young bucks in the construction trade need their turn.
That is a fine pen there dbkerley, I hope you find your nich in the knife making art some day.
I don?t really want to relocate, because where I live is awesome,,,,but if I need to, I guess I will.
All in all, I really don?t know what to do. But with a few prayers, and all yourall input, things gotta happen?.