I often get the sense that I’m in the only one here doing manual labor but I’m sure there are others.

Identify yourselves.

  • RedAggroBest@lemmy.world
    4·
    7 days ago

    It’s not really “dirty” in the same sense but I’m a massage therapist. Don’t think it gets more literally hands-on as far as a job goes lol. I primarily do deep tissue work, I REALLY enjoy injury-focused work, so it can be a bit tiring but it’s generally pretty satisfying.

  • CarterH739@lemmy.world
    3·
    6 days ago

    Machinist here. But not just any machinist. I work almost exclusively with graphite. I’m sure you can imagine what a mess that makes. We do have a powerful dust collector that runs all day, but it doesn’t catch everything. We get covered in the dust every day. The company does have a locker room and showers for us though, so it’s not too bad. We still leave nice and clean.

      • CarterH739@lemmy.world
        3·
        5 days ago

        Sorry for the delay. Apparently this app doesn’t tell me when people reply.

        Most of what I make ends up in space. We use pyrolytic graphite, which we actually make ourselves on site, which can stand up to some pretty extreme temperatures with very little expansion or contraction. There are other applications as well, mostly involving any situation where conductivity is important. Some hospital imaging machines use it instead of aluminum in high temperature scenarios. It’s very good at what it does, but its use is fairly limited due to its absolutely insane price tag.

  • Devil@lemmy.world
    2·
    7 days ago

    Asbestos remediation. I work on roofs, basements, boiler rooms,fireplaces, lofts, house walls etc removing asbestos in every shape and form + other materials. Using crowbars, sledgehammers, i saw through steel and crush steel with the sledgehammer etc while wearing masks, I also enter oil tanks to clean them. I have done more shitty stuff with another branch of the firm that deals with more shitty stuff + old barn lofts etc on a regular basis too 😆 all of this work involves heavy lifting and carrying heavy stuff around, I have become really strong from it. If you want to get strong and get payed at the same time, I will recommend it. It’s tough as hell, and only unique people work with it.

  • Agent641@lemmy.world
    1·
    7 days ago

    I trim trees and operate a wood chipper-shredder. Routinely carrying huge logs and branches hereabouts and there, greasing and fuelling machinery, and brandishing dirty chainsaws.

    But I prefer to wear riggers gloves, so my hands actually stay pretty clean.

  • Track_Shovel@slrpnk.netEnglish
    241·
    8 days ago

    Soil scientist. I spent 10 years stomping through the bush and digging pits when I got there.

    Now I sit behind a desk.

  • That_Devil_Girl@lemmy.ml
    20·
    7 days ago

    Shipwright welder. I crawl all throughout the bowels of Navy and civilian ships with my gear in tow. I build new areas, cut out old areas, and perform repairs on hulls and pipes.

    • ContrarianTrail@lemm.eeOPEnglish
      10·
      7 days ago

      I love welding. One of my favourite things to do in my previous job. I’m highly skilled at oxy-acetylene welding steel pipes in really tight and difficult places but my favourite one was TiG welding stainless steel with automatic and ventilated mask while listening to podcasts. Really meditative just being in your own bubble staring at the bright spot of molten metal.

      • AwkwardLookMonkeyPuppet@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        7 days ago

        I’m shit at welding for someone who’s generally handy in just about every other area. If you want two pieces of metal that barely stick together, with wires sticking out all across the seam, then I’m your guy!

        • domdanial@reddthat.comEnglish
          3·
          7 days ago

          Right? I tried my hand at welding a rec tube to a plate to make an oil tank for knife making. I had to use epoxy to keep it water tight.

    • AwkwardLookMonkeyPuppet@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      7 days ago

      Do you get covered from head to toe with grease and grime? Does it pay well? I have a friend who’s about ready to wrap up his underwater welding classes, and supposedly he’ll make some big bucks after he graduates.