Got myself a relic out of the rag box.

These mofos deserve a living wage

Watching tv with the wife about building sky scrapers in nyc, was wondering what the pay is for an experienced tower crane operator in a big union city like NYC.

I have a dickhead foreman who has had me and a few other guys doing ground work cutting caulk in a parking garage for about 2 weeks. Our bodies are falling apart and he has zero compassion and won’t let us rotate jobs. So I need a solution that lets me stand and cut instead of being hunched over for 8 hours.

The grooves are deeper than the cutter can reach at times and the caulk is roughly 3x5 in length. It’s a fucking bitch to pull and it’s backbreaking because the caulk is not tearing away from the concrete with any ease, forcing us to bend down on our knees to try and pry the caulk away, then stand and pull the strands with gorilla strength. It’s exhausting.

I have imagined just duct taping the caulk cutting gun to a broomstick so I can stand up and do the cutting, but I know there is probably something I’m unaware of to make this more approachable. Is there any other solution you guys can think of?

I attached a pic of a similar style cutter to give a visual aid. Thanks to anyone who may be able to help

Is there a better install method or product for these transitions?

Getting close to done. A small thanks to the workers who came in this wet morning

I was doing some work in my attic, and I noticed what looks like framing for a door that was never installed. It could be a fire block, but I wanted to get some expert review. Would appreciate if any framers could give there thoughts.

I live in a side split home, so this wall splits one section of my home that sits half a floor lower. This photo was taken from the ceiling of the first floor and shows the wall framing of the half floor. My Milwaukee drill is siting in front of the framing for size reference.

I'm a union carpenter, only been in for about 3 years. I've caught layoffs and have been with a couple different companies in union. I've ultimately found myself with a scaffold company (insane pay) and approached things very differently from when I started. I've now "secured" a spot in the company.

One thing I learned very early on is if you are a hard worker, show up on time, want to learn and have that drive, it barely matters. It's probably like 15% of what companies are looking for.

If you are really sociable, talkative and even go as far as being a straight bootlicker, the trades"men" you're working with will love you. And word spreads like wildfire. Working with drama queens.

Honestly, super surprising to me how much this all reminds me of highschool. I feel like I'm working with highschool girls constantly. I started bootlicking and brown nosing, almost out of curiosity and as an experiment. It works. It absolutely works. I've now secured a spot in this current company and it's honestly jarring.

With all those other companies I was never late, worked hard, learned and got the job done. But I was quiet. And THAT'S ultimately what mattered. It sucks, but that's the reality.

If you're having troubles staying busy and keeping work, maybe approach interactions with co workers differently. If you're an "introvert", RIP.

The building management rep called back thanking you for your feedback. They, and their tenants, are aware of the problem. There are no clogged drains, the issue is the slope. According to the rep, the problem cannot be fixed without losing the building insurance. They have not had any issues so far.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to look at the problem and share your expertise.

Hey all

I'm currently struggling to get work flowing in. I know it's that time of year but I've decided to venture out on my own. I've been utilizing social medias, reaching out to old clients, pinning up flyers, and trying to connect with other gc's in my area.

My old boss at the place I was working at for 5 years was a total piece of shit. Took money out of our checks to pay for workmens comp. Wouldn't pay over time, holiday pay, or approve any of our "vacation" time, and treated us all like shit. I'm hoping I can get going on my own well enough that I can take some of the guys from there and treat them right. I have 16 years of experience and do just about everything, minus full panel swaps, main hookups, and foundation/flat work.

I'm in the Chicago area and am hoping to get any tips or guidance that I can from the community.

Long shot, but does anyone know of electric sanders with dust collection or hand sanding blocks with dust collection that fit the profiles of inlays on six-panel doors? I know it’s like looking for a unicorn with a specific eye and hair color, but I’ve been searching for years without luck. I have rubber hand blocks, but none fit the six-panel door profiles perfectly. I’m aware that Surface Pro and similar brands have thick foam pads that match the contours, but they’re useless if you want precision—they round off edges and alter the profiles.

I’m asking now because we’re on a job with about (30) 6 panel doors, and the factory primer in the inlays is horrendous—super thick with deep orange peel, and the customer wants brush strokes. Honestly, I’d return the doors if it were up to me, but it’s not.

Picture for attention—any suggestions?

The bit that came with a tub of 3/16” yellow anchors

New here and wanting some input/info

Looking to build on this lot and was looking at the survey. I saw theres is a gas pipline easement.

My questions is, am i allowed to build a home over that easement or would i have to stay 10feet away from the easement?

Thinking maybe it’s a form that got glued to a concrete block poured wall, anyone have any idea?