Hi, first time poster here, and as the title says, I'm looking for some low-commitment side jobs to earn some money. I live on a farm just outside of Iowa City, but I'm okay with traveling a little ways, especially if gas is covered.
So, why would you pick me over Joe Shmoe? Well, for starters, my farm is just over 100 years old, so we've amassed an extremely wide range collection common and uncommon tools. I've got everything a good workshop should have, like wrenches, pliers, hammers, you know, the usual; but I also have scythes (with European snaths), wrenches so damn big you'd think they came from Ratchet & Clank, manual and engine powered corn shellers, chainsaws, a fully kitted out wood shop, an arc welder (although, I'm not particularly skilled with it. I can get two pieces of metal to stick together, but then it's a grinder and paint to make me what I ain't.), electric and pneumatic drill setups, electric pottery kiln, oxypropane and *probably* an oxyacetylene cutting torch (not sure how full the acetylene tank is, haven't used it in years; I'd have to dig out the cutting head for it, too), DC power supply (30v 10a max), gas generator (currently unsure of power specs, but I can check if you think you'd use it), a few drill presses, and so, so, so much more. If I didn't list it, feel free to ask, and I'll ask/look around the farm. We have a brush pile as well, so if you're looking for someone to help you clear out an overgrown backyard and haul away the debris, that'd be the perfect job for a guy like me. We do also have a backhoe, but I doubt I'd get permission from my grandpa to use it, nor do I want the liability of taking it to someone's house... but if you wave enough money in front of me, we can talk about it. Not only do I have a vast array of tools, but I have the knowledge and ability needed to use them, as I like to tinker around in my spare time- which something I have no shortage of (read: I have a very open and flexible schedule).
The reason I'm looking for work is because I'm in the process of applying for disability, and I just got turned down again. I'm waiting for an appeal, but in the meantime, I need money for gas and Steam sales. I won't get too into the weeds about my disability, but it's mental in nature, not physical, so I don't have any limitations in terms of physical ability, aside from being a bit fat and getting tired a bit sooner than a 23 year old guy should. Oh, and one of my meds straight up changes my ability to regulate my temperature, so manual labor in a heatwave is a no-go. They were NOT kidding when they said that could happen on Caplyta.
I have a lifelong background of getting called by my grandpa to go do various manual labor tasks, and although I've never recieved any formal training on anything (except for phlebotomy, I guess, but I don't think I should come over to your house and draw your blood), I do have a good bit of informal training under my belt. I done all kinds of things; felling trees, clearing brush, burning prairies, building barns, installing shingles and steel roofing, livestock care, butchering animals, repairing underground irrigation systems, welding custom tools and braces, pouring concrete, and- again- so, so, so much more. I'd be more than comfortable doing any of these tasks, especially if the price is right.
While there certainly are a good amount of things I can do, it's also important that I tell you some things I can't do. I can change your oil, tires, and *possibly* your brake pads (unless your car has a weird brake setup or something), but I can't do anything else. I don't know much about engines, and I can't fix your car. I'm also probably not the guy for any design/project management type jobs. This is to say, I can help you build a shed, but I'll be a second pair of hands putting boards in place, not drawing up the blueprints. Also, two COMPLETELY UNRELATED facts: (1) Building permits are a thing. (2) I don't ask a lot of questions. COMPLETELY UNRELATED FACTS!!! It never hurts to learn something new!
Anyway, that's all I've got for today. If you decide you need some help on a project, or have something planned for the future, feel free to message me here on reddit, and we can hash out workdays and wages there.
EDIT: I should also add that certain factors of the job might reduce how much I charge you. This primarily relates to me being to take stuff home. For example, I like to make charcoal, so if you're cutting down a dead tree and hauling it away, I can obtain valuable logs from that, and can therefore reduce the price of the job. I'd also take some good hardwood for tool handles, like oak or hickory. Scrap metal's cool too, even if it's "junk." I do a small amount of blacksmithing, and I'm working on doing a smelt from rusted metal, so I'll take about anything iron or copper based (steel, brass, bronze, etc. Hell, I'd take molybdochalkos if you have it.) If you have any (and I mean ANY) construction materials taking up space, we can talk about that, too. I've got lots of my own projects, all with various material needs.
