Thread: New Guy with a question

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Hey everyone, just wanted to check in and get some feedback from some of you with knowledge in the field.
I've been out of the marines for a year or so and have been working at an autobody production shop, like the job and the money's alright but my passion is hot rods. I have an oppourtunity to use my GI Bill to go to school, but i am wondering what skills are more in demand in a custom shop than others. Choices are Performance (custom engine/mechanic stuff), or custom upholstery/interior etc. With my experience with refinishing and body work i'd like to go with upholstery but my gut is telling me the guy with some wrench skills would be the last to go if the shop needs to let someone go. Thanks for taking time to read this thread and any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Tough question, and a lot depends on what you see yourself doing for potentially the rest of your life. I don't think the concern should be what position would be the one to go last, but rather what job you would love to do day in day out.

There are a lot more body men and wrench turners out there than qualified upholstery guys. We had to go 70 miles outside of our area to find one because the ones in this area are more suited to replacing headliners and carpeting in stock automobiles than custom/creative work. So that might be a factor in your ability to find employment. I would also think that a guy with those skills would need very little investment to set up his own shop. The guy who did our interiors has the right idea.........he works out of his home garage, has a following of loyal repeat customers, and stays booked year round. He also insists on cash, no credit cards or checks, and gets 50% up front before he begins.

Just a thought.

Don

welcome to chr and i agree with don. it is alot easier to find someone who can turn a wrench then it is to find someone local that does beautiful interior work. but i would go with what you are more passionate about.

I agree, go with what you want to do for a living because it makes no sense to throw your GI bill away on something you don't really want to do. To me, it would be more difficult to imagine what all goes into doing an interior because I have no idea. Is there a shop in your area where you could stop in and visit with them so that you would have a better idea of what you are getting into with the interiors? Not sure if they would be willing to talk, but doesn't hurt to ask.

upholstery could also mean furniture ..

Originally Posted by HOSS429

upholstery could also mean furniture ..

And boats.


Don

You have in life to go with your passion with one catch...........can you make a living at it?

I am a licensed condo manager here in Florida and have been in property management for 13 years. Trust me when I tell you that many days this is just a job, BUT it allows me to support myself and buy new (and old) car parts. I guess what I am saying is that there will be some " not so passionate" days of working on a car you are not so crazy about to put food on the table.

The real side of life is that you have to have a career that makes you money to survive. That being said, at least here in Florida quality upholstry experts are few and far between. I am not just talking "custom" work even daily driver stuff like headliners, etc. Seems to me that would be a good way to go at least in our state. Boat interiors,,,,,,,forget it,,,,,cant find a good company to work on my boat seats etc.

I like the idea of stopping by a shop and seeing for yourself what the job is all about. I can not imagine that a shop owner would not be proud to have a Marine come by his or her shop looking for your next profession. Thank you for your service to our country

Best of luck in whatever you choose

Also find a community college where you can take a good welding course---lots of fab work in cars, trucks--and people are always breaking things

I like most of the suggestions would consider the upholstery route. I guess finding a school that offers that trade would be the big problem.

A visit to a shop that would offer info. to a service man and might even offer you an opporrtunity to learn the trade would be great.

As was mentioned get the welding and other courses that would be needed to do rod building. The more you have to offer the more impressive you would be to some one who is looking for talented individuals.

Good luck and thanks for the service .

I have nothing to add, just want to THANK YOU for your service to our country.

First of all thank you for your service to our country. Lots of vets on this site and we're proud to have you join us. The upholstery route would be my choice as it is a skill that's not too easy to come by anymore and if things slow down in the hot rod, boat, custom car business you can always look to do some custom home furniture work.

Ditto on the welding - I'm always welding something for someone. I'm surprised the number of 55+ folks who still have a welder or two in their garage. I still use arc and gas for various projects.

Good luck and thanks again!
Glenn

Semper Fi brother and all I'll add is that the wiring field also has possibilities.

Originally Posted by NTFDAY

wiring field

A little play on words Ken?

Wow thanks for all the responses everyone, its nice to be a new guy into a community (online or not) and get the welcome everyone has given me here. Semper Fi NTFDAY. Well just to cap this topic off looks like i'll be going the upholstery route. The school ill be attending is called HRI (Hot Rod Institute) in Rapid City SD. I'll be getting schooled there in Chasis and Body Fabrication as well as a couple other courses. Thanks again for everyones input and support.

you are very welcome. please keep us up to date on how things are going with you.