Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire What do you do for a living?

model70man
I did that for a while when I lived in Kentucky......strip and underground......I like building rifles a WHOLE lot better... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Charlie

Miner Luke,

The mines I worked in used Joy low vein continuous miners (14CM type) and some of the lower seams used the old Wilcox/Fairchild miners which were manuevered around with wire rope cables and sheaves. This was normally 3 entries and leaving pillars for support. After I left the mines I went to work for a company that makes electrical underground and surface equipment to supply all of the power distribution for mining. I was a service technician (certified MSHA electrician) and travelled to mines all over the east doing repair work. I have been in mines all over WV, Kentucky, Ohio, PA, TN and Virginia. The worst rat holes were in eastern KY and southwestern VA, most of them being very low and dangerous (we called them punch mines). As you know, it's another world down there. When you turn off your cap lamp it's so black that you literally can't see your hand one inch in front of your face. I got tired of near misses with roof falls and rib rolls and quit with a wife, two babies and no job. Fortunately, the good Lord took care of me and has led me every inch of the way since. I still work for the same company but now I sell metal enclosed capacitor banks, metal enclosed harmonic filter banks (Toyota car factories use these from us) and reactors and no longer have to go inside the mines. I have been around longwall miners doing support work on the electrical systems and it's awsome when you see the top falling behind you as the hydraulic jacks advance forward. Good talking to you. Thanks...

Charlie,
I can identify with you on that. I'm surprised to hear you were a miner. I've read about you for several years in my gun magazines, saw your advertisements, and then saw you were a regular on the forum. You are doing what I always wanted to do. When I got out of the Army in 1971 I started to go to the Pennsylvania Gunsmith School on the GI Bill but never followed up on it and always regretted it. Rifles have always been my only hobby and interest. I guess it really is a small world. By the way, I've been reading your posts for several months and I wish all rifle builders and gunsmiths were as friendly as you and lots of others here seem to be. I called a famous pistolsmith (he also made lots of 1911 sights) here in my home state of WV one time and he snapped my head off and seemed very annoyed at me for calling and taking up his time. I also wrote a famous 'smith in Missouri one time and sent along a stamped, self addressed envelope, complete with stationary (I wanted him to do some work for me) and he never bothered to even return an answer. So, thanks!!!

model70man
I think taking the time to talk to folks is becoming a lost art. Seems nobody has time for anyone anymore. I regularly get calls from folks who have just talked to a famous "smith" and they are so pissed its a wonder they ever buy a rifle from anyone. I just dont see how folks like that stay in business. Some gun writers(just one) are the same way. About 6 years ago the editor of a magazine I was advertising in at the time said "we are looking for a project and we need someone to do the work. Call so-and-so writer and he will fill you in and then get started." I called the writer and told him I was told to call him and he said quote "I dont have time for you or your kind." end quote. I said ok, you wont be bothered with me again. So like I said its everywhere. That why I like to deal with the writers and folks here. Common ,regular people who dont think their $#!@ dont stink. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> I think sometimes folks get a little irratated with me becuase I dont call back the same day, but sometimes I work at night so I dont get so far behind. I usually can do twice as much work and better work at night because the phone isnt ringing off the wall. Maybe one day I can have a bonita senorita <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> for a secretary and a shop full of workers and I can just hunt and talk rifles all day. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />..... not likely... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Charlie

Model70man

I hear you, from what i have seen being a mechanic or electrician in a coal mine must be the most thankless job out there! No wonder mines have a tough time recruiting journeyman heavyduty mechanics and electricians. In the last year-year and a half, the mine i work at has gone thru atleast 3 or 4 mechanics. They all seem to find easier ways to make a living! God Bless

LUKE

I'm a lawyer in Vancouver.

More significantly, I'm soon to be the father of a little boy. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

US Army AH-64D Longbow Attack Helicopter Pilot, husband, and father of three.

John

I did 20 yrs in Underground Nuclear tesing, blowing things up. Since 95 I have been doing perimeter security systems for large faclities like refineries, etc. and force/asset protection for military bases. I retire August 1st, 50 more working days to go. Then it's honey do's, mule training, elk hunting , shooting and fishing. In that order.

Hondo64d,

Something I always wanted to do, was to fly Helicopters. I've rode in a many of CH-46/47's and 53's and flew a new, brand spankin new 206 one day. Wish I had done more to get the certificate for rotary wing.

model70man,

I bet you and my brother have crossed paths with your work around the mines. He does a lot of the same thing you're talking about. He worked a lot in WV, VA, and KY. He is now working for Addicton (spelling) setting up some kind of new miner in Wyoming. If I understand him right it bores the coal out from under the mountian top and then moves in a lateral direction and bores again. He just came back from NewMexico which he was working on a Hoard system. It runs the miner and navigated it underground with a computer, no one person was under ground nor could they go underground because of the level of the gas located there. I guess everybody worked outside of the mine unloading and loading.

7400 Hunter

It sounds like he's working with a Superior High Wall Miner or something like it. I'm familiar with Addington, they had holdings in VA and WV. It's a small world. Thanks...

I am an operator at a Chemical Plant in Deer Park ,TX. 17 years now and just turned 65. Worked for Armco Steel for 18 years when they shut down. Had to start over.

Going to Colorado area 61 in October to beat the bushes for a big bull for my middle son.

Charlie Sisk is very helpful and skilled gun artisan. Luck or planning, I am jealous.

This thread is the handiest spot on the net for me. Thanks, Rick.

Chris, come on back with your advice and expertise.

Thanks to everybody that has given me such guidance and assistance.

sweetsue

It's such a small world sometimes. Even though I'm in West Virginia I sell metal enclosed capacitor banks to a company named Dashiell in Deer Park, Texas and have done so for about 15 years. They are one of our best customers. Armco had coal mines in WV for years. I didn't know Charlie was an ex-coal miner until a couple of days ago. I hope to get a rifle from him some day. Best Regards...

Retired Police Officer for major deployed Canadian Police force. (30 years)
Full time pastor of a small Baptist Church. (6 years)
Part-time Prosecutor of Traffic/Liquor/Bylaw offences. (2 years)
Full time father and husband. (17 years)
Hunter and shooter (all my life)

New member here.

Full-time vigneron, grower of grapes, maker and drinker of wine.

Part-time or whenever I can - hunter <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Liscensed General Contractor - Home Builder. Started the business 3 years ago. It gave me more time to do what I want.

Pmc

Writer.

L.W.

I worked for Phillips Petroleum comapny in their Facilities Group for 27 years and then they told me my wood was dead and sent me home. (Best Thing That ever happened to me) For the past 8 years I have been a Project Manager for a General Contractor and have discovered what it's like being a name and not a number. Well like most jobs it just enables me to shoot, Hunt, Reload, and Buy rifles.
I does however bother me how Phillips is now Conoco Phillips when Phillips owns the majority of the stock, Kinda make me want to go Hummmmmm. Oh well I don't reall give a D___n any more just as long as my retirement money is there when I want it. My biggest job at this point is being a good Grandpa to my Grandchildren and passing on my love for the outdoors, Hunting & Fishing to them. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Tool & Die Maker By trade. Started in 1968.

B.S. Degree from IUP, Masters from Pitt

Taught Post Secondary Education - Geometry and Trig

Owner of my own Tool & Die Shop since 1994

Owner of Groove Bullets Company

Don

Land surveyor. Land Surveyor in Training, that is, still a couple of steps away from Registered Land Surveyor.

I started like every other surveyor; we all wanted to work outside. But I found out too late that if you're computer-literate and willing to accept some responsibility, you get chained to a desk and PC and never see the light of day again.

However, I'm an EMT-B and -- just recently -- a certified firefighter, so I hope to start a career in fire service within the next couple of years.