Bob "Shingleweaver" McCrickard

We would like to introduce you to the Bob "Shingleweaver" McCrickard. What a blessing he has been to us at RE/RCS. He is responsible for most of our Photo's of the Month and he has been such a support to the RoofersCoffeeShop.com through the years. We are proud to have him as an honorary part of the company. I was fortunate enough to interview him for our RCS'er of the Month...

Bob and I worked together quite a few years ago in Sacramento when I was in the supply business.
Yes, that was a while back. I wish we had some of those old prices for cedar shakes.

When did you first start in the roofing business and where has it taken you?
In 1971 I was a young man still in school, I used to work in the summer months for a couple of roofing companies, Fred B Curtis, Superior Roofing and Fred Eddy Roofing. I was taught to hand nail cedar shakes and got paid a buck a bundle. Getting 30-40 bundles a day I was productive and I always had a jingle in my pocket. In 1979 I joined the Carpenters Union, 1147 in Roseville CA and went to work for Jim Davis and Frank Shoemaker of Dynamic Roofing as a journeyman shake man. From 1989 to 2003 I ran my own company having my father and brother along side me. Sacramento Shingle Company was a very successful business and as of now is no longer contracting roofing projects. I shifted my attentions to the skylight business and was bought out of my interests there by a large corporation. I presently am self-employed as a roofing consultant in Sacramento California. This trade has been good to my family.

How long have you been contributing to the Forum?
Wow, a long time a go in a land far away, oh no that's Star Wars. Lets see I can't recall the year but I would say very early when not many guys knew about it. I found the Roofer Exchange newspaper laying on the counter at Pacific Supply. I loved reading through it and it was just a natural thing for me to hit the site on the web that was advertised. There was not too many guys online back then and it was hard to keep things going in the chat room and forum.
I remember you Vickie wondering if it would ever kick in. I think it was Steve (Ed note: Steve is our webmaster) that told you, "If you build it they will come". It took some time but now look what you created. What a bunch of characters. Thanks Vickie, I hope you can continue having a place us roofers discuss our trade freely without to much editing

So, How's business?
There is plenty of opportunities now. The thing about this trade is everyone needs a roof. Yes, the times now are a little bit of a challenge, but I have seen plenty of highs and lows and a storm like this one knocks the barnacles off the boat, which makes my boat ride a little higher in the water.

Who taught you to roof?
I like many roofers am from a family of roofers. My Father was the main influence. I to this day recall climbing up on my first roof. I was handed a hatchet, leather bag and nail stripper by him. He showed me how too finger the nails using a nail striper and swinging that shingling axe with rhythm tick~bang... tick~bang... tick~bang... tick~bang. Honestly my rhythm in the beginning sounded more like tick~tick~bang~tick~bong~tick~ouch, then bleeding started. If you ever hand nailed you know what I am talking about.