- Joined
- Feb 17, 2007
- Messages
- 3,375
I have been reading here almost everyday, but, not posting much. As everyone knows my wife dies in January and then there was the house fire in April. Haven't had a shop since and been living in a rental.
My house is about rebuilt. Just about completely new now. Only the foundation, the floor, vertical studs and the outside walls are all that remain from the original house. I even had the outside resided. New sheetrock, windows, electrical, appliances, doors, trusses and roof. I will not be moving back in but, selling.
I have bought a place in Lewistown Montana. It has an acre and a 1200 ft insulated shop with room to grow. The house isn't that great and I may replace it with a small modular. I would rather have a small house and a big shop. LOL
Anyway some cut backs are coming at work and i have volunteered to be on the lay off list. I should get the chop next week. I will start hauling my stuff over then. Figure that willl take a couple Uhaul truck loads and maybe a trailer.
I will be hauling some of my stuff over this long weekend, along with my new boat. I picked up a 21' Duckworth aluminum jetboat with a 302 Ford. It isn't far to the Missouri river from Lewistown. From the nearest boat ramp I can go several hundred miles upstream towards Greatfalls or down stream about 40 miles into Fort Peck reservoir which is 150 miles long and surrounded by Charles M Russel reserve. There is only about 12 roads into the perimeter of the lake which is the 5th largest man made lake in the US. Great hunting and fishing that sees little pressure.
I plan to focus on my knife work as well as small welding jobs. I have a portable welding setup and tons (really) of tools. With virtually no debt I should be fine. If I need more I can always get a job running a crew on a new construction project or a maintenance shutdown at a refinery. These jobs typically last a few weeks to a few months and have lots of overtime at excellent wages, plus travel and per diem. There is a real shortage of craftsmen with my skills and experience. I have very good references. So I am not to worried about the money part. I might not be able to live that high on the hog, but, thats not me anyway. Jeans and work shirts, a good shop, a decent 4x4, a boat, hunting and fishing and meat on the BBQ is enough for me. If thing work out with the knives and welding fine. If not I will work 4-6 months a year on short jobs. If all else fails the refinery I work at now has made it clear I will always be welcomed back.
Anyway sometime in August I should be moved and set back up in my new digs. Back to making knives and posting my good and bad advice here. Once that happens if any off you guys find yourself in the middle of Montana with time to kill, let me know. I also hope to meet some Montana blade smiths and learn from them. Jim
My house is about rebuilt. Just about completely new now. Only the foundation, the floor, vertical studs and the outside walls are all that remain from the original house. I even had the outside resided. New sheetrock, windows, electrical, appliances, doors, trusses and roof. I will not be moving back in but, selling.
I have bought a place in Lewistown Montana. It has an acre and a 1200 ft insulated shop with room to grow. The house isn't that great and I may replace it with a small modular. I would rather have a small house and a big shop. LOL
Anyway some cut backs are coming at work and i have volunteered to be on the lay off list. I should get the chop next week. I will start hauling my stuff over then. Figure that willl take a couple Uhaul truck loads and maybe a trailer.
I will be hauling some of my stuff over this long weekend, along with my new boat. I picked up a 21' Duckworth aluminum jetboat with a 302 Ford. It isn't far to the Missouri river from Lewistown. From the nearest boat ramp I can go several hundred miles upstream towards Greatfalls or down stream about 40 miles into Fort Peck reservoir which is 150 miles long and surrounded by Charles M Russel reserve. There is only about 12 roads into the perimeter of the lake which is the 5th largest man made lake in the US. Great hunting and fishing that sees little pressure.
I plan to focus on my knife work as well as small welding jobs. I have a portable welding setup and tons (really) of tools. With virtually no debt I should be fine. If I need more I can always get a job running a crew on a new construction project or a maintenance shutdown at a refinery. These jobs typically last a few weeks to a few months and have lots of overtime at excellent wages, plus travel and per diem. There is a real shortage of craftsmen with my skills and experience. I have very good references. So I am not to worried about the money part. I might not be able to live that high on the hog, but, thats not me anyway. Jeans and work shirts, a good shop, a decent 4x4, a boat, hunting and fishing and meat on the BBQ is enough for me. If thing work out with the knives and welding fine. If not I will work 4-6 months a year on short jobs. If all else fails the refinery I work at now has made it clear I will always be welcomed back.
Anyway sometime in August I should be moved and set back up in my new digs. Back to making knives and posting my good and bad advice here. Once that happens if any off you guys find yourself in the middle of Montana with time to kill, let me know. I also hope to meet some Montana blade smiths and learn from them. Jim
) around here lately. The couple of times I noticed you poke you head out and add your two cents to a thread, I had to resist derailing the conversation and asking you how things were going. It's good to hear all is progressing. Take it easy on those drives hauling your stuff over. 
