Frank Murch

I am looking for a guy that can Build fabricated letters out of CNC routed, Aluminum sheets with Mig. Ideally living in easy commuting distance to Oceanside and having shop experience. It is a 7-3 gig with A MigBig and a good group of people. If interested email me frank@s4sd.com

Well, probably not, but it seems to me there are three things: - With the agreement you set the tone and exspectations - When you need the agreement, that employee has just quit so you have that last paycheck to take the money as outlined in the aggreement - The government (California it is EDD) now must get a complaint, understand the situation and act against you – they may not get the complain or move on it So I think it achieves most of what you want even if it is unenforcable in the end. Another question is – if the employee quits or wants to quit, do you want him anyway?

"Mad Scientist" This is exactly what I hear as well. If you do not have a problem, you are good. If you do have a problem, you get sued

I have not heard any enforcement stories at all, but it is expensive and another way government makes it harder to make a buck

First, Thank you!!! All the comments were great and forced me to rethink. I think i will modify the employee handbook and add this section PERSONAL PROJECTS You may do personal projects using the equipment, and shop. Here are the rules to do this: - All project must be requested and approved. The form to do this is below. - occasional personal projects “not for profit” like fixing your car, a banner for a birthday, a set of address numbers for the house, are generally not a problem. - Projects involving a customer. If the project could be seen as in competition with the company, it will not be approved If this is a job the company would bid on, the job should go through the normal process and get an employee discount. If it is a paid project that is not of interest to the company, it may be approved, but there is a small charge to cover equipment wear, and utilities. All material must be paid for or scrap be approved by the owner All work areas must be left clear after use and/or at the start of the next shift If you break a consumable tool (end mill, drill bits, small hand tools) you pay for. If it is a larger maintenance issue, I will cover it. No side jobs get priority. Company jobs go first. The approval form with the legal statement is attached. Basically my thinking is this: If it helps the employee and does not harm me - I am OK with it. I need to stop and materials "walking away" and protect myself from an insurance point of view. I also can not tolerate projects that are competitive to the business. On the other hand, I do not care if a guy makes a $100 on the side - It is a perk that might keep a good employee here. So this is where I am landing personal project approval form.docx

Side Projects in the Shop I have always allowed my employees to build stuff in the back on their own time. These are normally a banner for the kid’s big game, or a sign about a “hole in one” or address numbers or often car detailing – stickers on a car. It has not been a problem. I have one employee that is doing side jobs (for money) in the back. I am beginning to feel that I may be being taken advantage of. My attitude is starting to change. I am looking for your help. After thinking about it My questions kind of fit in a few areas: SCOPE 1. I have no problem with allowing employees to use shop equipment for occasional personal projects 2. Should I control the size and number of side jobs? MATERIALS 1. I have no problem with using the company’s trade accounts to buy materials for an employee when they cover the cost 2. Do I give away excess material? Do I even know what is really walking out the door in the back? 3. Excess (or “waste”) material use? We do not want to encourage deliberate culling of waste material during the day to use it to build a project at night. But if it was going to the dumpster – I do not mind. How can I even tell?? 4. Would all the “scrap” used be approved by me? It beats having to pay to have it hauled off, but I do not want to get into the weeds. Am I interested in becoming the scrap police? 1. If the “employee” gets injured while using machinery that you gave him permission to use on his own time, the insurance company will not view the injured person as an employee and workman’s comp will not cover the injury? 2. Allow someone to use your shop for his personal purposes you are risking your company if somebody gets hurt? RELATIONS 1. Maybe an employee will appreciate the opportunity? If it makes them happy and it doesn’t hurt the business, it’s a win/win? 2. I feel like giving my guys an opportunity to do smaller projects I don’t want to be bothered with puts money in their pockets. 3. If I encourage personal projects and it helps in skill development does this give me better, happier workers? 4. Should there be time limitations? After work in OK, but is late night on the weekends? The problem is it is a gray area question. I didn’t rent a building, stock it with tools and supplies, hire employees whom I have to pay to provide a place to pursue their side job. It creates some good will (positive) and it opens up problems (negative). Where is the balance??

Thank you!!! called International Welding Technologies and got much the same story. They are working on a quote

I have a project requiring studs welded on the back of a sheet of Aluminum in a monument sign. I have no idea what machines are out there and how to know a good one from a bad one. Who has a stud welder, what type did you get and are you happy with it???

Thanks, It is helpful. I think I will try Hemmings Motor News (to find the guy with the Sign Truck Museum, you know ... next to the parking lot and the "tree museum") and looking at the ladder - it is rather good shape. I understand you can get a 42 footer out of auction for $8 - 12K, but a 69 footer would take at least another 10K and likely more. I also see a few Sponcos in the $6-10K range, but a lot more in the $15 - 25 range, then a few higher in the $30K range. I guess the average price to be about $15-20K. Who knows if any of these actually sell, They are all 55 footers. I also understand that the Sponco has a 300 pound lift capacity. Cranes are 3-10X higher for lift - they can move a monument or a can. So it is a tree trimmer, sign, electrical thing and not a crane thing. In any case - I learned a lot.

What is a Sponco worth?? I have an old sponco 69 foot ladder truck. I see the 55 foot all the time, but the 69 foot seems to be uncommon. The truck is a very old and worn 1966 chevy. It needs to be retrucked. I am thinking about retrucking it, but I do not think I need it. So I am wondering what it is worth and if I could sell it. I need to put it under 24V power and see what works, but what do you think? - is it worth more without the truck? - If I retrucked it – would it help sell it, or just add expense I would like your opinion. I am just fishing for options at the moment – it is not really for sale, or under restoration or anything else. It is just a question about options Thanks

What are you trying to service ? I want the boiler plate, but channel letters, illuminated cabinets. Do you have the correct equipment ? Yes, 4 trucks and a solid crews Are you ready to fix everything on site in one trip ? Fully stocked with tools, wire, lamps and power supplies Do you have the Licenses to do this work ? Yep, Bonded, insured, licensed and experienced But what I am looking for is an example or actual contract from other sign companies

Does anybody have the boiler plate for a YESCO or other major sign company maintenance agreement? I know all the majors sell maintenance and service with these agreements, but I can not find an example anywhere Got one? Please share. Thanks