Re: FWIW first welding job, 2 years on

On Tue, 31 Dec 2024 19:57:49 +0000, Richard Smith <null@void.com>
wrote:

"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> writes:
>

>
I liked the freedom at small companies that allowed me to expand into
functions they didn't have. Usually I ended up responsible for all
aspects of custom product creation, electrical, mechanical and
software, after I had proven able to handle them. Symbolic of those
companies was a note for the last one out to please lock the door, the
job was interesting enough to work late.
>
The downside was their high failure rate, at times from lawsuits by
less successful competitors. I was un- or underemployed during
economic downturns when startups folded and R&D investment dried up. I
learned to live very cheaply, cutting firewood for heat, maintaining
the house and car and using free antenna rather than expensive cable
TV. That's why my Internet access is somewhat limited, right now to
10GB of tethered cellular per month. In those times I was free to
scout auctions etc for good deals on orphaned lab test equipment and
metal shop machinery.

>
I am feeling happy at this place.
It is hard to predict what the future will hold.  I can only hope that
if things turn difficult in ways which seem possible (I am in Britain),
local manufacture will be favoured.

Order a box from McM and see where they came from.  Actually, McM will
tell you if you ask, I'm told.

Joe