bigswede69

I don't know if I'm getting dumb in my old age Bob.....but
I'm confused!!What did you put in your gutters and what did you tear out and what cost you 250(other than the ladder)
Bear in mind I'm getting up there in my 70's and don't think as fast as I used to!!

I contracted in a large city for over 20 years.I only lost 100
dollars,and that was my fault.The woman was a widow and I felt sorry for her.
My contract was simple:50% up front....25% when the job was half done and then the balance when I was finished the job.
Anyone that didn't sign the contract and put up a deposit I told them to get someone else.I never had anyone refuse to sign!
BBen......if you did a 50thousand dollar job....50% of that is material.Are you gonna give it away?????
Now admittedly I've never gone over and ripped out work but I have threatened to do it.
There was a builder way back in the 50's that took a lot of his sub trades for a ton of money.He took my Dad for over 50.000 dollars!!!!!
I couldn't get over my Dad paying the bill (to his suppler)
out of his own pocket!!
Makes you glad they've changed the law.These guys that operate a million dollar limited company with a 5000 dollar
liability.
Anyway I laugh when I read the stories about some poor schmuck that got taken by a contractor......but you never hear about the other way around!!

I agree with the fellow that said there is a right way and a wrong way to drive nails.
My partner & I were framing a 2800 sq.ft.house.
The owner had a ton of material left over from his business.
It was all fir.We made rafters(he didn't trust trusses!)All the rafters were placed 16inches on center as well as the wall studs!!
We had a crew of 6 men with 3 young apprentices.
The first day my partner and I were walking on 2 inches of bent nails!
I gathered every one around the saw horse.Put a couple of 2x10on the horses and had every body practice nailing.
Unlike the foreman from the 40s we paid our guys to learn!!
I love driving spikes!!!!!!!!! I could (and have) driven spikes all day ......14 hours sometimes.I used (and still do) a 36oz
framing axe.I never had sore arms or back.One tap to set and one blow to drive the nail home.All day long.
I have a ticket in plastering as well.
When I first started my apprenticeship,I spent 3 days on the mud board learning to pick up mud with my hawk&trowel.Mud is taken off the Front of your hawk,not the back.It takes a lot of practice to get this down right.My brother was my teacher and he was a marvelous plasterer.
Anyway I guess any trade there are little knacks you have to pick up.
I must say I would love to try one of these wonder hammers out.