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What are three important things I should know about the carpentry profession?
(e.g. working conditions, typical schedule, rewards, and challenges including those for people new to the job)?
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4 answers
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Dallas,
As I answered your earlier question of how to prepare for the carpentry field,
1. Do you love to work with your hands?
Some people are not as coordinated with working with tools as they are with reading and retaining what they have read. I'm better at visual memory then a literal (reading from books).
2. Do you like to be in different places or weather conditions?
Inside 1 day, outside the next. (Unless you work in a cabinet shop where you are doing carpentry but are indoors)
3. Do you like to dress up and stay clean or do you like to get dirty?
I wear a t-shirt with my company logo etc. on it with jeans. The jeans or shirts might have paint or caulk on them but they are always clean and are not ripped. Image is everything to me. If you look professional, you think the same and the results are professional.
I hope this helps!
Bob
As I answered your earlier question of how to prepare for the carpentry field,
1. Do you love to work with your hands?
Some people are not as coordinated with working with tools as they are with reading and retaining what they have read. I'm better at visual memory then a literal (reading from books).
2. Do you like to be in different places or weather conditions?
Inside 1 day, outside the next. (Unless you work in a cabinet shop where you are doing carpentry but are indoors)
3. Do you like to dress up and stay clean or do you like to get dirty?
I wear a t-shirt with my company logo etc. on it with jeans. The jeans or shirts might have paint or caulk on them but they are always clean and are not ripped. Image is everything to me. If you look professional, you think the same and the results are professional.
I hope this helps!
Bob
Updated
David E.’s Answer
I would say that the top three things to know is that 1) you will be working with your hands and depending on what type of carpentry it can either be "fine" carpentry or mill working OR you could be conducting framing and layout -- also, you will find yourself working with both steel studs and framing as well as lumber, 2) you will be on your feet for most of your day and you will be expected to be on-site early and work for a full 8-hours but, you will be doing some creative work mixed with some regular work, 3) you will always need to be focused on your safety and never take your safety for granted.
There are many more aspects to carpentry that are rewarding but it is also physically demanding work and you should be prepared to be expected to put the time in. In a great many cases, you will be expected to have a minimum kit of tools but that is becoming less and less an issue with the proliferation of pneumatic power. Good luck!!
There are many more aspects to carpentry that are rewarding but it is also physically demanding work and you should be prepared to be expected to put the time in. In a great many cases, you will be expected to have a minimum kit of tools but that is becoming less and less an issue with the proliferation of pneumatic power. Good luck!!
Updated
david’s Answer
Carpentry is a great career providing you like to deal with :
Hot and cold conditions
Repetitive physical work
Buying lots of tools over time
Watching your work get sawed and drilled by plumber, HVAC and electricians.
Start early, work weekends as needed
Watch the building bones erect
Deal with building inspectors
OJT mostly
Understand how to layout your floor to roof structural supports.
Use saws, levels, pneumatic nailers
Read and execute designer plans
It will become a life skill and can be very fulfilling.
Hot and cold conditions
Repetitive physical work
Buying lots of tools over time
Watching your work get sawed and drilled by plumber, HVAC and electricians.
Start early, work weekends as needed
Watch the building bones erect
Deal with building inspectors
OJT mostly
Understand how to layout your floor to roof structural supports.
Use saws, levels, pneumatic nailers
Read and execute designer plans
It will become a life skill and can be very fulfilling.
Updated
Mrinalini’s Answer
Hello Dallas,
Here's a helpful resource outlining the essential steps and information on how to pursue a career as a carpenter: https://www.workyard.com/article/carpentry-guide-the-basics-to-becoming-a-carpenter. Wishing you the best of luck on your exciting journey!
Here's a helpful resource outlining the essential steps and information on how to pursue a career as a carpenter: https://www.workyard.com/article/carpentry-guide-the-basics-to-becoming-a-carpenter. Wishing you the best of luck on your exciting journey!