Worked for my Dad as a painter for his contracting business in the summers from 8th grade to college. After short stint in college and having to get married went to coal mine construction for the UMWA insurance to pay for the new kid. UMWA construction, they do it all. Hanging iron one day, pouring concrete the next, hanging steel roofing or siding panels the next. Worked my way up to lead sheetmetal worker. Still painting on the side. Then worked maintenance for the state of IL for 4 years.
Got a chance to get in the Insulator's union, highest paid trade at the time outside of the elevator guys. Did that for over 30 years. Worked in the sheetmetal shop at the refinery making aluminum patterns for insulation protection for the last 3 years. Here is a job my son and I did years ago. Did a lot more intricate stuff at the refinery but taking pics is banned at the refinery.
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Bought my house as a 50x30 in 1978. Upgraded 60 amp fuse box to 200 amp breaker box. Knocked out some interior walls and changed floor plan. Took out oil furnace and added duct work and heat pump. Added 2 wood stoves. Added garage, foyer, family room, dining room additions to exterior. Resided in vinyl. New windows with PLASTIC brickmold. Added large rear deck. Added small front deck with pergola. Added 3 anderson sliding glass doors. Built 30x50 pole barn in the 80's. Metal roof and 2nd pole barn added by contractor after 2012 tornado. Insurance wouldn't pay to tear down old pole barn so I cabled it off and saved it as a 42x30.
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Anything else you need to know, slapdick? Don't you or your queer bear ever question my qualifications again.