I'll keep it short.

I work in the entertainment industry (and I have for the last 5 years), and I'm frankly tired of it. All I can think of is working on cars...classics, customs, hot rods, etc. I love it. I love working with my hands. I'm very detail-oriented (check my gauge restoration pics) and I can work for hours and hours until a job gets done correctly. I'm smart but I'm not afraid to ask questions.
I seriously don't want to get out of bed in the morning and come to this job. I work from 8:30 to 7 all week, and I make just enough to pay rent and pay bills. I don't have the free time or the money to work on my truck.
I'd LOVE to work for one of those guys like Chip Foose, or Troy Trepanier, or Boyd Coddington. I'd work around the clock at one of those places with a smile on my face.
I love to learn and I pick things up really quickly. I'm teaching myself to weld in a week (as soon as I buy the welder).
What do I do? How do I get into that field without training or prior jobs in that field? Does anyone know anyplace (or anybody) looking to hire good guys in the Los Angeles area?
Any advice, information, or leads you could give would be extremely appreciated.

TC

 

If you think you are that good and have the talent, go to one of those places with examples of what you have done. If they are busy enough and they think you have true potential they might hire you on a per job basis. Most of those places pay per job so if you are hired and do an axle swap you get paid when you finish. If the garage owner believes it should take you 8 hours that what you will get paid even if it takes you ten because you are slow. That also works the other way if you are good and can complete a quality job in 7 hours you still get paid for 8. As you earn a reputation for doing quality work you will be able to say I can do it but want "X" hours to complete a job because I believe that is what it will take to complete the job correctly.

 

TC - Go for it. It is obviously time to do it. I was at the same crossroad a few years back. I worked for many years at several careers before I found out what really turned me on. I have never looked back or been sorry.

I would start with Chip Foose, Trepanier, Coddington, etc and if they aren't hiring, ask where or how they would start. They all started somewhere too, you know. BTW, examples of your work are great, but nothing sells like willingness and enthusiasm. Interns serve a valuable purpose. They allow the expert craftmen to do more. Also, anyone who's really good at and stoked on their art is dying to teach it to the next guy.

There is a smaller custom builder out in the Corona area who has done some work on my truck and who's business is really booming. He has hired about 6 new people in the last two years. His name is Phil Leatherman. His shop is Extreme Automotive. He does excellent work and has a very good reputation. His is also an honest and friendly fellow. I'm sure he would take the time to talk about what he loves also and he may still need help. Call him (in the afternoon) and ask your questions (951-371-9730). Tell him Randy Walker recommended you to him. I'll call him tomorrow and tell him to expect your call.

Good luck, buddy. I am pulling for you!

 

I say change your career, if you love wrenchen that much i don't think anything else is going to make you happy, not to mention You will feel 10 times better getting up in the morning to go to work. Boyd Coddington would certainly keep you working pretty much around the clock ! change your career and get paid to do what you love to do, you'll thank yourself for it latter. good luck
54 Fever

 

I don't want to burst your bubble, but a guy told me something before I opened my shop-if your hobby becomes your work, you will lose interest in your hobby.
Just something to keep in mind.

Graham

 

Its not true for everyone, in every situation, however it does hold true pretty often. For me it would not be as pleasureable to come home and work on my truck, after having spent the day working on vehicles. I deal with people all day, and spending time with machines, and all aspects of vehicles is pure pleasure after that! Thats just me... Many of you work in the auto trade, how is it for you?

 

Thanks Christopher2 and 54fever for the replies and support.

Randy Jack, thanks for the info! I'll give him a call Friday and let you know how it goes.

Graham, I know exactly what you mean and I appreciate your advice. I will definitely keep it in mind.

I added a new picture to my gallery of a skull shift **** I made. I decided that having one for my early 60s style Kustom build would be cool. I was really unhappy with the store-bought kind that have a hole in the bottom, so I made one with a hole in the bottom that fits my floor shifter.

What do you think?

TC

 

Nice work on the ****! Whats it made of?

 

It's made of a weird clay I got at a craft store that gets hard as a rock when baked. There's a nut glued inside the back of the skull that matches the shifter...so it just screws right on!

 

Is it sculpy or fimo?

 

TC - The **** is really cool!
I'll be out of town from Friday to Tuesday, but email me thru this forum and let me know how your talk with Phil goes.

 

packrat56,

It's Sculpey. I sculpted it just like I wanted, then I pushed a nut into the back of it and baked it. When it came out of the oven and was slightly cool, I carefully pulled the nut out (since the clay wouldn't hold it) leaving a perfect hex-shaped hole. I coated the nut with the clear 3M emblem adhesive and pushed it back in. After a day of curing, I painted it with 3 coats of paint (white and gray from different distances), then I coated it with 3 coats of clear coat.
The result is a heavy shift **** that feels and looks like a store-bought piece.

Randy Jack,

I'll email you this weekend for sure! Thanks again!


TC