Time someone stood up for laminators round the world !!

Discussion in 'Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building' started by tunnels, Feb 1, 2012.

  1. tunnels

    tunnels Previous Member

    Laminators have the reputation of scum!! Bottom of the food chain!! Grubby, dirty, smelly uneducated and don't know anything!! Always low paid and treated like second rate citizens! Right??
    Well its time companies stood back and took a long hard look at the work they do and how much the company owes them!
    Laminators have one of the most important jobs in any fibreglass boat building company anywhere in the world!!.
    There workmanship and their skills are what makes a boat!, any boat !! They are responsible for the making and putting together of all the smelly sticky stuff they need to use all day long.
    How many white collar, suit and tie wearing staff are standing In line wanting to be laminators because of their high wages and superb work conditions??
    Most people get up and walk away if you say you are a laminator, why??
    Why do we have such a low status in society just from being a laminator??
    Laminators are the most important people in any fibreglass company!, their knowledge and skills and workmanship is what makes or breaks any boat manufacturing company .
    Just make a mistake and it could take months to surface but it will surface and could cost thousands to remedy and put right .
    The reputation of the company hangs on their skills and accumulated knowledge handed on from one worker to the next ! there aren’t any laminating schools or fancy diplomas and gilt edged certificates to hang on a wall for all to admire .
    We have to suffer the indignities of parking round the back of the work shop out of sight when in fact they should have executive status in the front rows close to the door .
    When the lolly jar is handed around and bonuses are paid who are the people that are left with a cold sausage wrapped in butter-less bread and a warm beer and made to listen to a well rehearsed speech’s filled with ideal promises and meaningless blurb !!
    Gentlemen of the front office time you accepted the fact you are not God’s gift to the boating industry, oh sure you have a job to do but in the blink of a eye can be replaces!!
    I have been in the glassing industry for many years and worked in many places. It's the same where ever I have gone in any country! there’s them and there’s us !
    When there’s is a new product introduced into the work place it's the laminators that are left holding the can when if it fails and doesn’t work properly usually because someone in the front office was sitting on all the instructions and specification s! , “wow that's simple “anyone can use it !!
    Laminators are people to!
    We deserve respect and acknowledgement of how much work we do and how important our job really is!, Plus how good the working environment is to our health !
    How many old laminators do you know??
    Are they still standing in front of a mould with gloves and overalls and eye protection? Not forgetting a mask or respirator.
    I remember one young guy asking me my age and saying “holy hell” he’d never seen anyone as old as me still doing glass work!!
    Most of the people I have worked with over the years are all dead from mysterious causes!.
    I have been fortunate to have had a few breaks away from the industry now and then for one reason or another!
    My love of fibreglass boats regardless of size has never diminished in any way since my first day at work making glass boats.
    During my time I gained one hell of a lot of knowhow and knowledge from some very clever, dedicated and inventive people I had the good fortune to have known and had the pleasure of working with during my time as a laminator making boats mainly !!
    :D:p:p
     
    2 people like this.
  2. wannathermal
    Joined: Oct 2011
    Posts: 22
    Likes: 1, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 26
    Location: Landsberg, Germany

    wannathermal Junior Member

    We need a "Like" button!
    And if you are ever near Munich I'll buy you a beer. Hell I'll buy enough to get drunk!
     
    1 person likes this.
  3. michael pierzga
    Joined: Dec 2008
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    Location: spain

    michael pierzga Senior Member

    Stressful job...always working against the clock.
     
  4. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
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    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    I'm smelly scum, and proud of it ;)
     
  5. rxcomposite
    Joined: Jan 2005
    Posts: 2,752
    Likes: 608, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 1110
    Location: Philippines

    rxcomposite Senior Member

    That "smelly" odor from the glass shop is perfume to me. Makes me feel at home.
     
  6. waikikin
    Joined: Jan 2006
    Posts: 2,440
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    Location: Australia

    waikikin Senior Member

    I pushed your like button................its on the right,

    True words Tunnels, at least the term "SLUSHY" seems to have fallen out of use, seems to be "Composites Technician" now, probably so your suited bosses can charge more fore your efforts............ brewing champagne from the sweat off the Slushies back... how long you been in China now..............;)
     
  7. tunnels

    tunnels Previous Member

    Yeah me to if you ever in my part of the world we eat lotsa chinese yummy food and get drunk !!
    Like just about every really good laminator i have come across we are a dedicated bunch! we are creative, we enjoy a challenge every day, and are always there for more day in and day out . Some one has to do it !!:D

    I came to china almost 18 months ago . The last wee while i sit with my computer and write sceeds of information !,90 % is just basic what what have learned during my time hanging onto a roller or holding the trigger back on a chopper gun or what ever. have stashed away hundreds of photos of the countless problems and written the causes and in more then 90% of cases it always bad workmanship from a non dedicated glass-y or boating enthusiast!! My first love is boats !second is making boats !and third is drivine and being out on the water !!,some where after that is my love of beautiful women and sex , food and drinking !!last 4 can group together as one !!!Cheers !!
     
  8. tinhorn
    Joined: Jan 2008
    Posts: 575
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    Location: Massachusetts South Shore.

    tinhorn Senior Member

    Hear, hear! I thought that when I moved to a coastal area perforated by ponds that I'd be able to find a gig laminating and gelcoating again. No such luck. I'd happily trade my necktie for a laminating roller and stinky coveralls.
     
  9. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    Laminators smell funny and have Asma and bad flaky skin.

    When you shake hands with them you get stuck.
     
  10. Alik
    Joined: Jul 2003
    Posts: 3,075
    Likes: 357, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 1306
    Location: Thailand

    Alik Senior Member

    I started as laminator and boat repairer that gave me precious knowledge on bad and good structures, and bad and good boats. Treat those laminators fairly; only they know what is inside the boat You designed or bought.
     
  11. rxcomposite
    Joined: Jan 2005
    Posts: 2,752
    Likes: 608, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 1110
    Location: Philippines

    rxcomposite Senior Member

    There is a saying-" you can never be a good leader if you are not a good follower". May I add to that;

    "You can never be a good boatbuilder if you are not a good laminator"

    But to go from here to THERE, you pass several stages/training. In our place, we identify the stages from laminator to boatbuilder. This helps in identifying skills and salary grade. Other companies may vary in their practice or others may argue that a boatbuilding is a hobby but then, you need to pass the stages.

    Level 1 Laminator- one who is given a brush and a roller, a piece (could be a very large piece) of fiberglass material, and a bucket of resin, and told to wet the fiberglass until it “looks good”. Must be able to identify different type of materials and proportions of the resin mixture to start the “go” process. Understand the tem "lay up schedule".

    Level 2 Gelcoat/Choper gun sprayer- works with equipment but has a good grip on what lamination is about. Responsible for “tuning” and maintaining his equipment to get satisfactory result.

    Level 3 Moldmaker- needs carpentry skill besides the above and an eye for what is fair. Must be able to build from drawings, sketches, or visions. Visual skills on how a part goes, removal, parting/sub assemblies, reinforcement/stiffeners, and mold preparation.

    Level 4 FRP Fitter/Assembler- someone who can level, measure, and cut/drill precisely. Works with neat precision. No drop of resin and no scratches/tool mark on the part(s). Typical work ranges from adding local reinforcement, attaching large bulkheads, fitting prefabricated parts, laying the foundation for heavy machineries, to lifting/assembling a hull and deck.

    Level 5 Composite Technician- must be able to size up, plan and compute/mix the proper amount of material for the job in the corresponding environment/process. Have a solid understanding of the meaning of “defects” in a composite material. Sees trouble before it happens dipping into his vast knowledge or training/experience as a laminator (or pinpoint the cause of trouble when it happens). Must have training or familiarization in two or more processes such as hand lay-up, vacuum bagging, infusion, ect. Needs basic math training, familiarity with materials used in composites, and use of simple measuring equipments such as Barcol hardness tester, viscosity meter, vacuum/pressure gauge, and weighing scales.

    Level 6 Boatbuilder- Someone who has made it and can do all of the above, plus, posses “people skill”, planning skill, and visualization. A jack of all trade since he is at times required to do plumbing, electrical work, mechanical installation, and must be able to lead/motivate the team/hired hand concerned.

    Judging by the looks of it, Tunnels has graduated far from being a "Laminator"
     
    1 person likes this.
  12. gypsy28
    Joined: Mar 2010
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    Location: NSW Australia

    gypsy28 Senior Member

    Level 3.5 for me then :D

    Thanks Tunnels, great post, stuff the office people :p

    DAVE
     
  13. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    I used to live near Duples coaches in Blackpool England, all the laminators were lesbians. It was lesbian heaven.

    The gender confusion was blamed on the resin inhalation.
     
  14. tunnels

    tunnels Previous Member

    I have alwaYs tried to push for FIBRGLASS BOAT BUILDIERS AS A TRADE ON ITS OWN . :D:p:p
     

  15. rxcomposite
    Joined: Jan 2005
    Posts: 2,752
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    Location: Philippines

    rxcomposite Senior Member

    Frosty,

    We don't inhale resin. Just the fumes or the volatiles.
     
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