It’s never too late to enter carpentry. I know quite a few programmers who do carpentry as their main hobby. Something about the math and the amount of careful planning is highly transferrable, I guess.
Whenever I try building something with wood, I get so frustrated that it’s not version controlled. In software, I can fearlessly try dumb stuff because I can just roll it back if it didn’t work.
Creating anything physical requires a lot of practice, and practice really only works if you make mistakes and then learn from them.
Just have to accept that you will waste a lot of wood getting that practice. Heck, a lot of woodworking practice is repetition of the basics before trying to make something with those skills. Otherwise you end up with a bunch of hobbled together ugly stuff that still works like my stuff.
Not catching very slight warping in boards is my weakness.
I mean I was referring to having a shop in your garage so you can build furniture, but you’re not wrong. Construction carpentry is one of the more intense trades I’ve seen.
If you think carpentry is easy on the body I can tell you’ve never worked for or as a carpenter before.
In either case carpentry is a massive world. There is a lot more to being a carpenter than making furniture. If that’s all you’re doing as a carpenter than I would argue that you aren’t much of a carpenter and your experience is highly limited.
To me this is like calling yourself a computer engineer because 2 hours a week you write Visual Basic code in an excel spreadsheet.
I work in tech. But (long story) started with a few years of carpentry/joinery. It is not easy on the body, unless you’re just making small boxes or cabinets. And even then, it’s still not really that easy.
A carpenter (at least in the UK) is going to be expected to be able to replace or repair joists, sash or bay windows, lats and other roofing and wall structures. Indoors or out.
After traveling all over for work, having freedom to somewhat set my own schedule as long as I meet deadlines, I know I would lose my mind in a traditional office.
There’s not much I hate more work-wise than sitting around after the work is done so you can get your hours, because someone on the crew thinks that’s more moral than leaving and they’re a snitch.
Honestly I am thankful all the time that people are able to find jobs that suit them best. I am a graphic designer by trade, and working from home has basically been the greatest creative boon I’ve ever had in my life, lol. The routine, access to nature, and just general lack of distractions has been incredible.
40 old me looking at a screen with SSMS and Azure: Instead of an engineer like my father I should have been a tailor like my mom… Or a carpenter…
It’s never too late to enter carpentry. I know quite a few programmers who do carpentry as their main hobby. Something about the math and the amount of careful planning is highly transferrable, I guess.
Whenever I try building something with wood, I get so frustrated that it’s not version controlled. In software, I can fearlessly try dumb stuff because I can just roll it back if it didn’t work.
3D printing and CAD may be the hobby for you then!
Creating anything physical requires a lot of practice, and practice really only works if you make mistakes and then learn from them.
Just have to accept that you will waste a lot of wood getting that practice. Heck, a lot of woodworking practice is repetition of the basics before trying to make something with those skills. Otherwise you end up with a bunch of hobbled together ugly stuff that still works like my stuff.
Not catching very slight warping in boards is my weakness.
Engineer your design in FreeCAD and tweak it before you build.
Assuming you can afford all the stuff to do it.
Which most software engineers can
Nah fuck carpentry. You’ll just end up destroying your body to make shit money.
I mean I was referring to having a shop in your garage so you can build furniture, but you’re not wrong. Construction carpentry is one of the more intense trades I’ve seen.
I mean you can do it as a hobby though.
This isn’t brick laying or plastering. Carpentry is an easy job on the body.
If you think carpentry is easy on the body I can tell you’ve never worked for or as a carpenter before.
In either case carpentry is a massive world. There is a lot more to being a carpenter than making furniture. If that’s all you’re doing as a carpenter than I would argue that you aren’t much of a carpenter and your experience is highly limited.
To me this is like calling yourself a computer engineer because 2 hours a week you write Visual Basic code in an excel spreadsheet.
Tell that to my dad’s hips, knees, and back
lol what.
No.
I work in tech. But (long story) started with a few years of carpentry/joinery. It is not easy on the body, unless you’re just making small boxes or cabinets. And even then, it’s still not really that easy.
It can be easy on the body provided one has cash to get and wear safety gear. Too many people depend on a cheap employer for their safety.
Buy good gear. Use jigs. Protect hearing.
It’s a big assumption that you can rely on power/bench tools. At some point you’re going to have to get the chisels, plane etc out.
Good gear doesn’t save your knees, hips, shoulders, and wrists.
True. Good gear is not a “freepass”. Bad gear is extra hard on the body.
What is so bad with plastering? I would have thought that one isn’t too bad.
The pressure to get it done now now now. The overwork. Ignoring safety regulations because they’re fucking annoying.
US defaultism strikes again, is this carpentry as in building houses or carpentry as in building furniture?
Furniture or whatever you can make in a single location like garage or maker space, no engineer thinks of joining construction work
There are some days tho dude.
Some days
A carpenter (at least in the UK) is going to be expected to be able to replace or repair joists, sash or bay windows, lats and other roofing and wall structures. Indoors or out.
Joiner
Don’t be a carpenter. Splinters.
At 35 I’m beginning to realize it’s good I don’t have an office job. Finnaly found a good employer and happy driving through the country.
After traveling all over for work, having freedom to somewhat set my own schedule as long as I meet deadlines, I know I would lose my mind in a traditional office.
There’s not much I hate more work-wise than sitting around after the work is done so you can get your hours, because someone on the crew thinks that’s more moral than leaving and they’re a snitch.
CongraFuckinLations I officially envy you.
Honestly I am thankful all the time that people are able to find jobs that suit them best. I am a graphic designer by trade, and working from home has basically been the greatest creative boon I’ve ever had in my life, lol. The routine, access to nature, and just general lack of distractions has been incredible.