With an unbridled skip in my step due to me finally having a broadband connection again, I decided to risk the sub-zero temperatures and risk losing one of my digits to the elements down at that Siberian coal shed known as Butler Sheetmetal HQ.

On my way I decided to pick up a copy of the local rag and just look what I found on page three:

Lifeline for birds as feeding plan goes into action

Now we’re obviously forever doing bits and bobs for ‘charidee’ and impacting on the area’s youth how to be more at one with nature, but will somebody please explain to me how the hell this particular picture got through our PR department?

Frank-the scary bunny :: Craig- BSM’s Apprentice

And I also don’t know whether the Leader Times photographer had a crick in their neck or whether Craig forgot his spirit level but how the devil do you expect your average Cock Sparrow to stand and feed on a 24 degree stainless steel incline?

Ahika Flame make gel burners similar to the one pictured below:

Michael Luther got in touch with us originally to produce the stainless steel ring at the top of the burner. After a couple of these orders he asked if we could also produce a lid with a little handle for when the burner wasn’t in use. Now this wasn’t a problem as the rings were lasered and the centre was being thrown away until they were utilised as lids. It took us a while to source the required knobs that could be screwed into the lids, but all was fine and dandy until there was the odd murmuring about them putting the things together themselves.

There’s no denying that the threads were a little on the tight side and the plastic had been left on both the lids and the rings to prevent scratching in transit. We also sent them some alcohol-based solution to clean off any lasered burn marks. But, we explained what had to be done prior to delivery and we weren’t under the impression that it wasn’t ok.

Now the reason why I remember everything Ahika related quite vividly is because it was one of the few jobs that I got paid in full and that it was an ongoing monthly thing.

However, regarding the job that I’ve just explaned, we’ve yet to see a penny and we’re talking ten months ago.

If they weren’t happy with them they only had to send them back and we’d have sorted it out. But to keep the things and not to pay for them is a little bit naughty. But, like I say, we’d explained the situation and we’d also sent them the same rings previously and they’d been more than happy with them and had paid us promptly. So we’re a little in the dark as to what the problem might’ve been.

At present we’re considering small claims court to obtain payment, but a bit of naming and shaming allows us to vent our spleen aswell. Have blog, will moan.

We’re a cautious bunch at the best of times up at Butler Sheetmetal with regards to all things financial, but it’s things like this that just make you err on the side of uber-caution.

Still, I suppose it’s got something to do with us being gullible Northern monkeys who still marvel at the wonders of indoor plumbing.

NEXT WEEK: Tax evasion via invoicing abroad.

I’ve entered the land of the living again when it comes to Skype.

Maybe you’re fifteen and your careers teacher is pressurising you to commit to some kind of career path. Perhaps you’re slightly older and you’ve decided to start clambering up a totally new vocational ladder. Or, you’re some student just wondering what the devil sheet metal workers do.

Well, thanks to the U.S. Department of Labor in association with the Bureau of Labor Statistics you now have the most comprehensive and byzantine piece of inane waffle as to what a sheet metal job/worker/jobshop/etc. does or entails.

If you think along the lines of a Sesame Street-type explanation then you’ll begin to understand the general tone.

It goes into a great amount of detail and covers: Nature of the Work | Working Conditions | Employment | Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement | Job Outlook | Earnings | Related Occupations | Sources of Additional Information

Probably my own personal favourite is the bit about working conditions:

Sheet metal workers usually work a 40-hour week. Those who fabricate sheet metal products work in shops that are well-lighted[sic] and well-ventilated. However, they stand for long periods and lift heavy materials and finished pieces. Sheet metal workers must follow safety practices because working around high-speed machines can be dangerous. They also are subject to cuts from sharp metal, burns from soldering and welding, and falls from ladders and scaffolds. They usually wear safety glasses but must not wear jewelry or loose-fitting clothing that could easily be caught in a machine. They may work at a variety of different production stations to reduce the repetitiveness of the work.

Those performing installation work do considerable bending, lifting, standing, climbing, and squatting, sometimes in close quarters or in awkward positions. Although duct systems and kitchen equipment are installed indoors, the installation of siding, roofs, and gutters involves much outdoor work, requiring sheet metal workers to be exposed to various kinds of weather.

So, if you’re willing to fall off ladders and scaffolding on a regular basis, get speared by the odd rogue shard of metal and suffer the odd burn, then I suggest you get yourself down to college and sign yourself up for a course.

It’s also an interesting insight into the world of American sheet metal work. For example, I’d say that the vast majority of British sheet metal firms define themselves by the materials they work with and the processes they can offer as opposed to specific types of job.

Anyway, I’d better not mention American sheet metal workers to Jasper in case he starts on about diluters (think about it ;-)).

One of the things I like in particular about the Battle of Britain Memorial is that it appears too large and too detailed for pictures to do it justice - 82 feet of bronze is a lot of bronze.

Subsequently, it’s one of those things you’ll have to go and take a look at in person in order to get a scale of the monument as well as the Battle of Britain itself.