Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm not sure if you've noticed that I haven't been posting as much as usual in the last couple of months. But I'm making a career change due to the economy. I just got my CDL, Commercial Driving License last Friday. I'll be headed to Atlanta on the 6th. of Dec. to start my Over The Road driver training for 6 weeks for KLLM Transport and then if all goes well I'll be given a Truck of my own.
Then I'll have to figure out if there is enough room in the cab for a Solera and some hand tools.

Hey Chris - I have noticed your absence for sure. I've missed your posts as I have always found them thoughtful and helpful. Best of luck with the new career, and with fitting that solera and tools in with you. We'll miss you.

Good for you Chris!

You know, Waddy's shop is about the same size as a double sleeper....

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Good luck!

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Build log

Chris, I'm ~1 miles off Interstate 85 right at the NC/SC state line. If you're up this way look me up. Good luck.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

And those double stacks come in handy for touching up bends !!!!

One of my students is a truck driver ... havent seen him in 6 months ....

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Wishing you the best.

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
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1109 Military Rd.
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(716) 874-1498

Best wishes Chris.
regards,
jack

Chris,

I hope that the career change works well for you. Just remember that you are no longer just a driver. You will now be a professional driver with all the responsibilities it entails. Never speed, especially up or down hill, and always check your brakes. Be courteous to the idiots because they know not what they do. Unfortunately, this includes other Truck Drivers also. Sorry, I can’t help myself from saying stuff like this.

Maybe you could branch out and build ukuleles. A tenor isn’t real big and a soprano is quite small. You can certainly do a lot of work at the truck with hand tools. You could have a break down table as a working surface. Most of my work is done on the top of my go-bar deck. Tru-oil is a very popular finish on ukuleles. This is a very easy finish to wipe on and would be very workable on the road.


Philip

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aka konacat

If you think my playing is bad you should hear me sing!
Practice breeds confidence and confidence breeds competence. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in practice.

Hi Chris
Good luck to you . If you are up my way stop in
john

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Good luck Chris!
Your vids have taught me a lot.
I think you are some kind of electrician or something.
I'm a carpenter,
and it is getting really scary now.
Less work, lower pay...........

Safe travels, Chris. You'll never know how much you've helped me over the past couple of years. Guess I'd better say thank you before you roll--thank you! :-)

I do hope you'll have the time and ability to log in here every once in a while.

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George :-)

Thanks for the well wishes guys.
You sound like an ex driver Philip and I understand what you're saying. Most of the starter companies have their trucks governed at 62-65mph and the Roadmasters school was pretty good at giving us an understanding of a professional drivers responsabilities as the CDL license holds us to a high level. It's just like being a captain of a ship. Carrying 80K lbs. loads in a road rocket is no joke for sure.
That's pretty funny Tony. Don't think I hadn't thought about that when looking at the stack.
I'm thinking a workmate might work for a table that could be strapped to the back of the cab when not in use or just the top of the table strapped to the jump seat. But I'm just getting ahead of myself as that's months away and I'll have to learn the life style on the road for now but I'm always thinking none the less.
Might just take you up on that sometime Woody, thanks for the offer. It has also crossed my mind that I might get to meet some builders from time to time. I'll be getting to see parts of the country I haven't seen before and guess that will keep me interested for awhile.
I'll still be checking in here to see what's going on, just not as much for awhile.
Edit: Three post while I was writting this. Sure thing John and yeah I'm an electrician.

Chris -

Thanks for the vids and the help in the past - I look forward to you checking in from the road - maybe you can work on travel guitars - there is a need for a good classical travel guitar - although there are a few good options - it would be nice if you , with your thoughtfulness can invent and make plans for a new one.
and as you will learn - do not try to stay awake on the road - it just is not worth it - stop and take a break. also place a sticker on your truck so as can identify you if we pass you -

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It's this new idea from recent decades that everyone gets a participation award. - MUX

C'mon Chris ! pull the mattress out of the sleeper cab and set up shop in there ! A very good move Chris , I am in the trades myself. blue collar workers are taking a huge hit in this corporate trend of outsourcing the the influx of millions of non-immigrant workers . one needs to keep redefining thier selves to have even a chance of survival.I traveled around the country much in my youth... take the time to see the sites as you never know when ( if ever) you will be back that way again ! Good luck! jody

Chris,
Good luck with the new career and safe travels.
John

Hey Chris!

Good luck on the new career. For what it's worth, a buddy of mine switched to driving about 5 years ago and he's never looked back. Couldn't be happier.

I won't be surprised with before long, we start seeing videos of some sort of crazy fold out inspector gadget workshop.

Mike

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Mike Lindstrom

Hey Chris,

I remember in our last email correspondence you said you were considering this. Looks like it's a go. I did a few years (3 to be exact) OTR in the mid 80's. It would have been a lot more enjoyable had I not been married. Pays decent if you're with the right company. Don't forget to always spend a few minutes each time you stop and do some stretching. If you don't, you can expect to develop lower back and leg problem over time. A few minutes stretching at every stop will minimize the possibilities of that. Other than that, it can be a great adventure. A bit nerve racking going through some of the big cities though . And the mountains in the ice and snow, a lot of deep breathing will help alleviate any stress.

Over all, I think you'll probably enjoy it.

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Bill Hodge


One does not simply, own enough guitars!

Chris,

Just saying thanks for all your videos. I've spent countless hours learning from them. All the best with your new career.

Don't become a total stranger, hope to see you check in from time to time.!

Mark

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A world without music would Bb.

Chris,

Your video and jigs have been so great. They have really made a huge difference for me. Good luck in your new job.

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http://goatrockukulele.com

Thanks for your time and input Chris
you helped me out.
Would love to see some pics and stories of your travels
from time to time.
As we say here
Guidance pon de road!

Yeah, I try and stretch in the morning now with about 4 yoga moves and end up walking a Standing Dog move until my hands are touching the floor. It's been keeping my back in check and really does work well. I plan on walking when I can for sure.
I'll have to make an air hose that I can connect to the Glad hands (air line connections) so I can use the tractors air compressor to run my pencil grinder and spray gun. Inverter for the router and other small hand tools and sleep in the upper berth coverting the lower berth in to a bench with built-ins and I'll be set to go right?
Ramblin' Luthier / Have Spray Gun Will Travel
Keep an eye out for "Johnny 99"
Back to studying for Hazmat endorsement test.

Yeah, I was just thinking about you and was wondering why u were so quiet. Good luck and once u r into a normal groove again, look forward to ur regular posts.

Mike

Looks like we all love you, Chris!

Hi Chris,

Lots of us feeling the economic pinch north of the border as well. Getting your trucking license was a good plan. My friend got his last year and has been steadily employed with frequent overtime since. Just promise you'll find the energy to pass on your great guitar making ideas when you're not on the road.

All the best,
-Jake.