From TV production
to carpentry

For the past two and a half years Oskar Boström has run his own business where he does everything from carpentry to renovating houses and construction work at larger building sites. We have followed Oskar’s work for a long time through his popular Instagram account @oskarsnickrar and took the opportunity to ask him some questions about how he ended up in the building trade and what he finds important when it comes to workwear.

It was not always clear to Oskar that he would end up as a carpenter. For a long time he was certain he would work on restoring boats, an interest he has had since his childhood when he often accompanied his father to the boatyard to renovate vintage boats.
​​​​​​​- My entire childhood revolved around the ocean, lakes and boats. One of my first summer jobs was selling boat accessories at a marina in Stockholm.

But after upper secondary school Oskar chose to study media and this led him to the TV production industry where he spent almost 20 years. A few years before he turned 40, he decided it was time to do something different. He still had his interest in and knowledge of woodwork and took the decision to start his own business.

For Oskar the working day starts with a quick breakfast around 6 am and a visit to his workshop before it’s time to head out to the customer. If he’s lucky he has had the foresight to pack the car the day before since he claims to be a bit forgetful in the mornings. Often there is a photo stop along the way if he spots something cool – photography is another of his interests.

There are many things Oskar likes about his job. The problem-solving, the creativity, all the inspiring people he meets. And then there’s the variation! Last year Oskar built the set for a Swedish nature television production together with carpenter Isak Stålenhag, who also became a great friend. Some of his most recent projects include building a wooden tiller for a boat and renovating the outside of a house. But fun projects also come with challenges.
- It’s easy to get caught up in a project and go all in for it. When that happens it can be challenging to keep your stuff in order and manage your time. I sometimes work late nights.

Lately we have seen an increased focus on sustainability in most industries, something Oskar hopes will impact the building industry too.
​​​​​​​- When it comes to choosing materials from the viewpoint of sustainability, I hope we will move forward by looking back. Because the fact is that over the past 20 years the focus has been on effectivity and this has sometimes led to questionable methods that may solve a current problem but are not always suitable in the longer term.

To stay in shape for his job Oskar does a lot of stretching. He also tries to find time to exercise and to get out and enjoy his natural surroundings. When it comes to ergonomics the gear he uses is very important.
​​​​​​​- I am quite thin and this affects the way I think regarding ergonomics. For me it’s vital to have good shoes and knee protection. Also, it’s very important to lift and carry materials and tools the right way and to not load up my pockets too heavily. Add to that a really good belt!