Do you work with your hands for a living or for fun?

Hey Guys,

I know this SF is dominated by office workers (for obvious reasons). I just want to see how many of you work with your hands for a living or just for fun. Do you work on cars, with leather, landscape, work with wood etc?

Post up pics of what you do/ what you work on/ the tools you use.

I'm a Hydraulics tech. Our shop works on mobile and industrial hydraulic sytems and related components. I also have my tickets in MIG and TIG welding.

I know greasy hands should never be in the same room as cordovan shoes but thats 'how i roll'

Here is a shot of my rig at work


and a few drawers



Edited by blue collar - 9/8/12 at 8:48am

Thanks very much. A lot of years gathering them. And too much money...

Yah knipex is great stuff. great fit and finish.

Thats an awesome shot! Are you in a band or DJ/perform solo? Any links to your music?
Edited by blue collar - 9/9/12 at 9:54am

Ya it can be hard in a rental/condo building. It was a toss up for me, live in a condo and have no room for toys and tools or buy a house and drive an hour to work

I guess being stuck wearing "shop blues" on the daily has taken it's toll on me. I also never liked the stigma around "blue collar" workers and that they fit into the category of being uncultured with little to no style/fashion sense. I catch more flack at my shop than anywhere else, even though I'm the shop foreman, so it's not just people on the outside who feel this way. They too feel that if you work in a trade you have to look the part when you're off the clock. I don't agree and tend to practice a little leisure elegance whenever possible.

Women also tend to notice when you put a little effort into how you look. A free beer case t-shirt, flip-flops and camo cargo shorts don't attract the kind of women i'm interested in knowing...

edit: Also being in a trade, I tend to 'geek out' over learning about how quality items are made. Watching endless videos online of the bespoke shoe process, full canvas suits, cordovan production, Harris tweed etc.

Your father sounds like a hardened, old school shop guy. Like the men I have been around for the last 10 years. But I agree, it tends to be the reaction I get in the locker room at work. Fancy boy, fonzie can tend to be the names they call me, all in good fun. But the funny thing is i'm straight as an arrow, 200 lbs with 8'' suit drop and more than capable of killing them with my bare hands ha ha. Different strokes I guess...


...thats not the worst of it. I'm also fully trained in clasic frech cooking.

What did your father's shop specialize in?