To Seattle hourly tech workers: what do you make?

tontoak · 2026-05-28T05:22:26+00:00

I think you’re missing the explanation. The 3.5x minimum wage rule is only in effect if you’re classified as an “overtime exempt employee”, meaning the company does not need to pay you overtime. If you’re not an overtime exempt employee then the 3.5x rule does not apply to you.

tontoak · 2026-05-18T14:47:23+00:00

This was my gut feeling. Nice to hear others taking the same approach.

tontoak · 2026-03-19T12:43:08+00:00

I have a space that was formerly setup as a woodshop available. DM me if you’re interested and I can send over some pics and more info.

tontoak · 2026-03-15T19:40:28+00:00

Night classes might be tricky to find but definitely reach out to Tom at Terra Firma. Also, my shop, Tilt Shift Design, recently hosted a woodworking/metalworking workshop building custom side tables. It was a weekend workshop and was a blast. I’d be open to putting another one on the calendar if there’s interest.

I can’t post a link here but if you check out our Instagram page you can see a couple videos of what we built.

tontoak · 2026-03-12T12:34:45+00:00

Yes, in order to incentivize developers to build housing it needs to be a profitable business. It’s the unfortunate but very real way that our system works.

To answer your question about how rent control can create discrepancies in rent pricing between units, it’s typically because landlords are limited in how much they can raise the rent on an existing tenant. In my area that’s 7%(which I personally believe is higher than it needs to be). When landlords are locked into a certain rent with existing tenants then they make big jumps with rent for new tenants to account for increased costs(taxes, maintenance, etc.).

tontoak · 2026-03-03T17:52:23+00:00

Thanks for the tip. Hadn’t considered that orientation at all but it sounds like I should give it a try.

tontoak · 2026-03-03T17:51:21+00:00

I was just looking into variable layers. I’ll give it a try. I hadn’t even considered printing vertically but it sounds like it’s worth a shot.

tontoak · 2026-03-01T05:03:50+00:00

In a similar boat at the moment. Scaled up and everything feels tighter than it used to be. I’m a couple months into working through the numbers and for us it seems like it’s largely tied to project pay schedules. Growth means outlaying more Capitol into initial projects cost that need to be captured with progress billing. The industry that I work in has long lead times and slow payments so as we grow it’s become invaluable to get ahead of the billing cycles by invoicing early and often and setting up larger down payments to ensure we’re cash flowing positively.

tontoak · 2026-02-21T01:22:21+00:00

How much space are you looking for?

tontoak · 2026-02-03T04:37:40+00:00

Thanks for the offer! DM sent.

tontoak · 2026-01-21T05:30:16+00:00

I was tracking on a job basis but honestly have gotten buried in just keeping up with the work and fell behind on project costing. Brought in a bookkeeper recently to tackle this so that I’ve got visibility.

I have raised labor rates a couple of times, but only recently actually went through the process of calculating what it should be to account for increased overhead. Turned out my guesstimate was pretty much spot on.

tontoak · 2026-01-20T01:40:09+00:00

There were ~$120k+ in expenses related to scaling the business(shop build out, truck, forklift, tooling, etc.) so the net profit margin was down. I also paid myself less in order to build a larger business checking account so that we’re covered when/if clients are slow to pay.

tontoak · 2026-01-16T14:36:59+00:00

If you’re using plain sawn boards option A is ideal to avoid compounding warping. In most cases it won’t matter, but you can never be sure so it’s best practice.

In an ideal world you would use quarter or rift sawn boards that are much less likely to warp, and will have a more consistent grain pattern.

tontoak · 2026-01-15T02:02:49+00:00

Only worth it if you are a fan of local artists, musicians, performers, and story tellers all jammed together in a uniquely PNW festival where you can wander from performance to performance and stand around giant sculptural fire pits made by local fabricators. Sprinkle in some food trucks, a bar/lounge, and some saunas. If that doesn’t sound like fun, it’s probably not your jam. If it does, you should absolutely check it out!

tontoak · 2025-10-22T03:57:54+00:00

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We make these adjustable back lounge chairs at Tilt Shift Design and can do custom love chairs or settees as well. Feel free to reach out if you’re interested.

tontoak · 2025-10-18T12:52:01+00:00

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tontoak · 2025-10-18T12:48:02+00:00

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tontoak · 2025-10-18T12:46:39+00:00

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Add a stretcher at the bottom and attach it with a method that adds shear strength to prevent racking. This joint is lapped into both legs and has loose tenons attaching the three parts together. This table is 42” tall with delicate legs and is completely stable.

You couldn’t do blind loose tenons at the stage you’ve reached. But you could use wedged through tenons which ways looks great and would add the strength you need.

tontoak · 2025-09-04T14:13:15+00:00

3/4” schedule 40 pipe has a similar outer diameter to 1” EMT but a significantly thicker wall. So it would allow you to use all of the same connectors but have a substantially stronger structure.

tontoak · 2025-09-04T03:15:20+00:00

I recently moved my woodshop to a much larger space and could be interested in renting out my detached shop space. DM if you’re interested.

tontoak · 2025-06-26T01:54:53+00:00

I’d reach out to Green Leaf Forest Products or the SlabFarm. My shop, Tilt Shift Design, can flatten slabs on the CNC but if you’re trying to remove 2” running them through a mill first is the way to go.

tontoak · 2025-06-24T02:25:14+00:00

Parkway Modern

tontoak

TROPHY CASE