Bruce wrote:
> [snip] a "Living Wage" [...] $10 to $12 per hour. I don't think
> that is too much to expect for a skilled craftsperson. So far
> I have found one small builder who has reached that "Living
> Wage". Any others out there - please stand up!
That's pretty much why I liked being a journeyman, not a master - the money was better! I topped out at $15/hr in the 90s, and made more than the owner of the shop at a couple places I worked. They were all small builders, but obviously big enough to have an employee.
Of course some of those places are out of business now... Coincidence?
Sad to no longer be building, but the retirement thing scared me into a "real job". Yes I sold out, gave up something I loved for more money. I'm glad that there are people out there who won't do that - and that I can afford to buy bikes from them now! Though so far I'm still riding frames I built, or old classics. I haven't actually helped out a KOF's retirement fund yet. But I likely will some day -- as long as they don't use extended head tubes!!!
I'd like to have an Erickson, my fave KOF. Example:
http://www.sandsmachine.com/
Mark Bulgier
Seattle WA USA