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B-Ham locals...a lil help here PLEASE!?

DirtEveryDay

Turbo Monkey
Nov 24, 2003
2,692
4
Pacific North Wet
Packing up my family and trying to relocate this summer. I need a job! I'm a certified welder with 13 years of factory experience, and 20 years of building race cars, rockcrawlers, long travel suspensions and rollcages/bumpers. Love the tubeworks!

I'm on Craigslist/Bellingham, etc trying to find jobs and housing, but can't really find jack and no one replies to me when I do find something.

All I need is a few names of bigger shops and I can go from there. No problem with the smaller towns surrounding B-ham either..kinda like it quiet.
But looking for places that build like tractors, skidloaders, trailers, etc...
Any ideas? I'll mail you a case of beer or Paypal the money for some real help!
And if anyone has a place to rent 4 people...I'll be there in June with a rent money in hand!

Thanks in advance!
Cody
 

MinorThreat

Turbo Monkey
Nov 15, 2005
1,630
41
Nine Mile Falls, WA
It's not Bellingham but it's less than an hour and a half away. Try Glenn's Welding & Mfg. in Lynnwood. They're a very diversified operation and might have use for a tubing specialist. I worked for Glenn (his sons run it now) back in the '70s. Good people.

You could live as far north as maybe Marysville and still commute.
 

DirtEveryDay

Turbo Monkey
Nov 24, 2003
2,692
4
Pacific North Wet
Awesome, I'll check em out. Kinda looking for a more production-oriented factory as I like the routine thing, and the benefits, but even a paycheck to just get located would be great!
I found a place in Ferndale called Trivan Truck Bodies and that's almost right in the middle of what I currently do and what I WANT to do, so going to check that out too...

Thanks man!
 

BikerBoy28

Monkey
Jul 3, 2006
733
0
Bellingham, Wa
I found a place in Ferndale called Trivan Truck Bodies and that's almost right in the middle of what I currently do and what I WANT to do, so going to check that out too...

Thanks man!
I recommend checkin out Trivan, I got a buddy that works there and he's pretty well off. Weekends off for riding too!
 

DirtEveryDay

Turbo Monkey
Nov 24, 2003
2,692
4
Pacific North Wet
BikerBoy28... first of all, gotta say...your quote makes my day! Friggin 38 years old and feel Im only getting faster and smoother and why I still feel it's worth my time to relocate my entire family to the PNW to ride more!

And good to hear about Trivan, I might start there. Is your bud that works there on here too, or is he a non-rider friend?


And I should warn everyone who responds to this to not be too nice to me...when I get there i've got a LOT of riding to catch up on and I'm persistent! Even moreso when it comes to digging! So unless you want a ride call every time I have a free hour to waste, don't gimme any phone numbers! ha!
 

WBC

Monkey
Aug 8, 2003
578
1
PNW
You might want to try the refineries, too. There's usually a fair amount of work there for people with good welding skills. Job source in mt. Vernon?? is the most common way to get a job there.
 

DirtEveryDay

Turbo Monkey
Nov 24, 2003
2,692
4
Pacific North Wet
Awesome! Thanks guys! Actually trying to AVOID the refinery stuff though...a little TOO much on the industrial side...I need something with atleast a teeny bit of artistic freedom!
 

BikerBoy28

Monkey
Jul 3, 2006
733
0
Bellingham, Wa
BikerBoy28... first of all, gotta say...your quote makes my day! Friggin 38 years old and feel Im only getting faster and smoother and why I still feel it's worth my time to relocate my entire family to the PNW to ride more!

And good to hear about Trivan, I might start there. Is your bud that works there on here too, or is he a non-rider friend?
No better place than the PNW! And yeah my buddy that works at Trivan rides too but he's not a forum member here. We're both only 18 but down to ride with anyone, any age, any time. :thumb: You into DH racing much?
 

DirtEveryDay

Turbo Monkey
Nov 24, 2003
2,692
4
Pacific North Wet
I Love racing until people start breaking out the trainers and crap. I know, I know, it's personal choice but I just like it when the focus is more on who can run a line the fastest...versus who's gonna win. Feel me? And it really seems like there's just a generally cool, chill vibe pouring out of the B-ham area.
I spent a few days rolling around B-ham in July on my way to and from Whistler. I didn't get nothing but generosity and feeling pretty welcomed. So I'm moving! Oh...and the riding was pretty dope too!

What are some really cool smaller towns around B-ham? I kinda like it quiet when I'm not shredding... just need a little 3-bedroom house on a lake surrounded by trees for $400-$500 a month would be just dandy...

Ha!
 

ebxtreme

Monkey
Apr 25, 2007
195
0
Bellingham
Damn it....the laid back vibe has bitten us in the ass again with another transplant! ;)

There are a lot of fast riders in town and most of them use the strenuous training regiment of beer drinking, trailbuilding and some riding thrown in just for good measure. Some of the very fast riders, of course, do train and take it more seriously, but most folks just train by shredding our local hills and talking smack with each other.

Jobs in town are hard to get without having a personal connection, but not impossible. Some other companies to look at: Allsop, Heath Tecna, and maybe some of the boat building companies. There are some big boat builders in town and they are usually looking for fabricators/welders.

Where to live? I guess this depends on what you're looking for and your budget. If you live in town, you ride your bike to grab a beer/food or shop or hang with friends. You can ride to chuckanut and Galby pretty easily from town. If you live out of town, then you're driving to do stuff and maybe to ride as well (depending on where you live). B'ham's a pretty small town, so it's not like it's exactly raucous in most neighborhoods.

Cheers,
EB

I Love racing until people start breaking out the trainers and crap. I know, I know, it's personal choice but I just like it when the focus is more on who can run a line the fastest...versus who's gonna win. Feel me? And it really seems like there's just a generally cool, chill vibe pouring out of the B-ham area.
I spent a few days rolling around B-ham in July on my way to and from Whistler. I didn't get nothing but generosity and feeling pretty welcomed. So I'm moving! Oh...and the riding was pretty dope too!

What are some really cool smaller towns around B-ham? I kinda like it quiet when I'm not shredding... just need a little 3-bedroom house on a lake surrounded by trees for $400-$500 a month would be just dandy...

Ha!
 

DirtEveryDay

Turbo Monkey
Nov 24, 2003
2,692
4
Pacific North Wet
Damn it....the laid back vibe has bitten us in the ass again with another transplant! ;)

But I'm a good transplant...I come armed with shovels and I know how to use em! I've also been buying my bikes from Allen at DNZ since 2000 I think, so that already makes him my LBS!

There are a lot of fast riders in town and most of them use the strenuous training regiment of beer drinking, trailbuilding and some riding thrown in just for good measure. Some of the very fast riders, of course, do train and take it more seriously, but most folks just train by shredding our local hills and talking smack with each other.

SWEET! :thumb: Not hating on the serious riders...just hatin on egos. I know there always going to be those people that think people like ME should be more serious, but at 38 I wont be seeing any WC podiums anytime soon! But that didn't stop me from buying a treadmill and a decent little weight setup this year and I feel pretty good!

Jobs in town are hard to get without having a personal connection, but not impossible. Some other companies to look at: Allsop, Heath Tecna, and maybe some of the boat building companies. There are some big boat builders in town and they are usually looking for fabricators/welders.

Where to live? I guess this depends on what you're looking for and your budget. If you live in town, you ride your bike to grab a beer/food or shop or hang with friends. You can ride to chuckanut and Galby pretty easily from town. If you live out of town, then you're driving to do stuff and maybe to ride as well (depending on where you live). B'ham's a pretty small town, so it's not like it's exactly raucous in most neighborhoods.

I definately appreciate the help! I don't mind driving a bit, it's the only time I get to listen to my music and my OTHER hobby is building 4x4s and wannabe desert race trucks, so my junk is fun to drive! BTW...I'll shuttle any day of the week and very quickly, too!

Cheers,
EB
Thanks man!
 

ebxtreme

Monkey
Apr 25, 2007
195
0
Bellingham
LOL....well, in full disclosure, I'm a fairly recent transplant as are the vast majority of the guys out digging in the woods and making sh!t happen. I think most "locals" take our area for granted.

So, in closing, if you are down to dig, I guarantee you'll be hooked up with the right people before you know it.

EB

But I'm a good transplant...I come armed with shovels and I know how to use em! I've also been buying my bikes from Allen at DNZ since 2000 I think, so that already makes him my LBS!
 

WBC

Monkey
Aug 8, 2003
578
1
PNW
Being down to shuttle any day of the week is sweet, but treating the shuttle roads like your own pikes peak course is a real quick way to get your tires slashed.
 

DirtEveryDay

Turbo Monkey
Nov 24, 2003
2,692
4
Pacific North Wet
Dude...it was a joke. I was actually waiting for someone to call me on that. Im not an idiot and this isnt my first circus either, but thanks for the total lack of faith!

I currently live in SOUTH DAKOTA...not only are there no mountains to shuttle up, there's no fireroads to bang up either. I have to travel a LONG FREAKING WAYS to get to use my truck for what it was built for, so I know how to drive in the meantime.
 

DirtEveryDay

Turbo Monkey
Nov 24, 2003
2,692
4
Pacific North Wet
Awesome, will check it out on my way up through to B'ham. Not dead-set on living IN Bellingham, anyway. Wife kinda wants to find a smaller, quieter little town out in the trees as well, so anything is possible at this point.
Also REALLY hoping housing prices drop in the smaller towns...here a 3-4 bedroom house with a garage and a basement rarely rents for more than $600-$800 a month, can't find even a room for that there so far! But very limited reach for rentals here, seems only thing really advertised is the apartment thing and with a wife and two girls that's not even an option. Not into sharing a wall with anyone.
 

thad

Monkey
Sep 28, 2004
388
21
Houses start renting at $1000, most are more. I'd figure $1200. Unless you don't mind living in a trailer.

Areas that feel woodsy and secluded, but are still pretty close to town, are the Alger area, Nulle Rd, S Lake Samish area to the south of town. Out 542, the Toad lake area is nice, and there are a bunch of nice spots off the hwy in Nugents Corner, Deming, Maple Falls.
In town, off lakeway and Yew, Galbraith will be in your backyard, and still relatively private.

There are skilled metal working jobs. There is lots of aerospace work for Boeing suppliers. Most industrial businesses are off Hannegan and Bakerview, and Cordata.
 

DirtEveryDay

Turbo Monkey
Nov 24, 2003
2,692
4
Pacific North Wet
Damn...thanks man! I need to start sending out some beers to you guys! Gimme a bit...my TR450 JUST showed up today after Fedex fugging double scanned it, cancelling the order, let it sit on a floor in UTAH for 2 weeks, then shipped it BACK to DNZ instead of to me! Almost 5 weeks I've been waiting I think! Incompetent booger eating morons.

Props to DNZ ONCE AGAIN for tracking the thing down for me! Hell, they're reason enough to move to B'Ham!

Good grief..can't believe I still have like 3 months before I even get to VISIT. I'm ready to move, have Uhauls priced, have everything I don't want to bring pretty much already spoken for!
Looks like the best way for me to make this happen is going to be to buy rather than rent. Between myself, my wife and our two girls there's too much crap to stuff into any apartment, not to mention my welder, plasma cutter, cold saw, drill press, etc, etc, etc! I need a garage too!
Anyone want to buy a friggin sick 1998 4Runner with a Total Chaos longtravel kit, fiberglass fenders, rims, 285 Falkens, and some custom tube work?? Need a down payment!

OH! Also, for those of you who can still remember..or have chillins...what's the best Elementary School there?? Most fun, best teachers, no drugs or molestation accusations...you know, the usual!

Thanks all!
 

DirtEveryDay

Turbo Monkey
Nov 24, 2003
2,692
4
Pacific North Wet
Haven't heard of Carlson, but I saw A-1 welding online.... Def will check em out! I've got a resume in at Trivan Truck Bodies right now, so far I really like the people! And it's a small world after all, the lady who answered turned out to be from South Dakota originally, so she feels my pain!

Anyone know anything much about the Maple Falls area? Like, why is every single house I seem to like located there?? Or why so many are for sale in that area? I'm assuming it's perhaps due to the 45 minute drive to work and B'ham every day?

That's another question: Any trails in that area or even on Mt Baker?
 

BikerBoy28

Monkey
Jul 3, 2006
733
0
Bellingham, Wa
Hmm...unless I'm mistaken I think Maple falls is a pretty sketchy area, not a great place for kids. Alot of drugs and stuff going on there. As for the trails, get to know the locals, talk to bike shops, volunteer on trail days....you'll get to the goods. When do you plan on heading out here?
 

DirtEveryDay

Turbo Monkey
Nov 24, 2003
2,692
4
Pacific North Wet
Crap, that's a bummer to hear! Leaving here Wednesday, June 1st, take 2-3 days to get there with the kids and wife needing that sleep stuff I try to avoid... And still completely stuck on bringing the bike or not. Feel pretty stupid if I managed to get jacked up while trying to do job interviews, house shopping, etc... But PNW dirt's a callin!
 

Stickler

Chimp
Feb 12, 2005
62
0
Bellingham, WA
There are quite a few fab shops here, but the problem is a large number of them are really slow. I've worked with guys from just about every shop in the area so I have a pretty good idea whats out there.

Ershigs: union fab shop for sheetmetal and misc industrial in Bellingham (they lost 2 fabricators recently)

Trivan: truck body stuff -- heard good things about them

Oxbo: build berry picker and farm equipment (Lynden)

Pederson Brothers: truck body, structural steel, and fab work (Bellingham)

A-1: roller bed conveyors and fab shop (Bellingham)

Krause Mfg: build industrial equipment


Might find your cheaper housing in areas like Sudden Valley, Birch Bay, Everson, and Lynden. Bellingham is fairly expensive.
 

DirtEveryDay

Turbo Monkey
Nov 24, 2003
2,692
4
Pacific North Wet
Awesome! Been in contact with Trivan, sounds like I'll be talking with them when I visit. And I'm actually digging around Everson/Nooksack area right now, found a house for sale there that got me checking out the area and it's perfect! The distance from B'ham could be a bit frustrating, but the solitude would prob pay off in the long run. And it sounds like a somewhat scenic drive anyway. Gotta beat pastures full of cows and cornfields I stare at now...

Are unions a huge thing out there? I'm not a fan...
 

Stickler

Chimp
Feb 12, 2005
62
0
Bellingham, WA
There are only a handful of union shops in town. There is also some refinery welding/fab contractors that you can look into if you want to go that route.
 

DirtEveryDay

Turbo Monkey
Nov 24, 2003
2,692
4
Pacific North Wet
About my only limitations for a job is no union and no friggin hardhats. Damn I hate those things!
I LOVE small shops, where I have an opinion and a little creativity is allowed!

Thanks for that list of shops, someone's gotta want me!

Man..it's so frustrating still being stuck here when in my mind I'm already moving PNW dirt...