After wrapping up my time at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship last August, I moved to western Massachusetts and got a job as a laborer at a general contractor/construction company.
I have been wanting to learn carpentry for a handful of years now, probably ever since I realized I didn’t know how to make a firewood shed, even though I could build a canoe. Revision: now that I think about it – maybe it predates me learning woodworking and goes back to my late teens. For some reason I had a deep desire to dress up as a Japanese carpenter.
Real deal Japanese construction worker, clothing. Purchased at a construction supplies store in Japan where the owner initially refused to sell me the shoes, socks and pants. My guess? 1) I didn’t seem serious 2) I’m a woman 3) a foreigner. I don’t know his thought process but I’m guessing it’s a mix of all three.
Although I have six years of woodworking experience at this point, it doesn’t translate seamlessly to construction. Picture me listening to classical music carving textures onto a cherry plate, now picture me listening to subcontractors’ heavy metal music wielding a 9-pound framing nail gun atop a 17’ ladder – the twain were never meant to meet.
Chaotic chords, steadfast studs, level level, nasty nail gun.
That said, occasionally I get tasked with a finicky detail-oriented task, and then the twain actually do meet, and they get along great. Below is the before and after of an old door I fixed up.
Despite my experience with all sorts of tools that cut and manipulate wood, I was still super nervous to work in construction. I was nervous to be the only woman and to be totally clueless. I didn’t know what level of macho I might be working with, and if I could really deal. Would they make fun of my Keen shoes? Would they tease me for getting an expensive lightweight hammer? Fumbling with ladders? Eating kimchi? (Jump forward – fortunately, no.)
I also had no idea what it would entail on a day-to-day basis. I have carpenter friends, but I never felt like I got a clear idea of what they actually did at their jobs!
I want to write about my job to keep track of the experience for myself, to help people get a sense of what construction (can) entail, and what my experience has been working in this realm. More to come.
Day 2 on the job - removing shingles and putting “ice & water” (a water & vapor barrier) on the roof. Take note: 1) Japanese tenugui on head, and 2) I can confirm, it is awkward to ask a coworker to take your picture on a jobsite (even though this was during break).