Somehow I’ve always had a slight twinge of guilt when I bought a new tool or gizmo. I’ve even had a deal with the UPS guy to put the stuff in the shop rather than in the back door of the house. But No More!
I recently came across a copy of Golf Digest – the equipment review issue. Do you have any idea what those things cost? And you have to a whole bag of them! Plus the bag! Then there are the green fees, from inexpensive to exhorbitant! Clothes – I don’t even want to go there. And, at the end of the day, all you have is a scorecard.
Motorcycles! Price out a Harley for sticker shock. Then there is the cost of a full set leathers and brain bucket. What do your grandkids get? A photo of you with bugs on your teeth.
I could go on, but you get the picture. Our “tools” are inexpensive, no, CHEAP, compared to other hobbies. We don’t need special clothes and we make lasting and easthetic contributions to our families and society. What more can you ask?
Oh yes!. We don’t need a “19th hole” or a few beers to finish off our fun. Our relaxation is in the shop.
I have lost my guilt and am proud to be a woodworker!
Frosty
Replies
Shhhhh, someone might hear you,
Lee
A spouse will pay one price to get someone out of the kitchen, and into the shop.
They will pay another price to get them out of the house.
<<I recently came across a copy of Golf Digest - the equipment review issue. Do you have any idea what those things cost? And you have to a whole bag of them! Plus the bag! Then there are the green fees, from inexpensive to exhorbitant! Clothes - I don't even want to go there. And, at the end of the day, all you have is a scorecard.>>
Not to mention the cost of another 18 little white balls each time you play. Someone told me you can reuse them but, that means you have to find them first. :/
Lost in the woods - looking for my balls. Finding only lumber.
Gee Andy, where I play either the marshals find them (and get free balls that way), or the diver picks them out of the lakes and the pro shop resells them. Either way, those little white balls are a recyclable resource <G>
Bob
Amen brother
I'm a golfer and a woodworker, can't say I'm any good at either but...
Another case for woodworking tools is, at least in the east, the golf season only lasts a few months, however, woodworking is a year round endeavour, thus, even lowering the costs of the tools even more. Plus I never lost a planer in the woods. However I tried throwing my joiner in anger once... not a good idea.
Excellent topic, Jfrostjr
keep your blade in your saw
woodenputter
And did I mention FISHING?
Take the cost of a Bass Boat and twin 150s to 'get there' and a trolling motor. Don't forget the trailer - and the SUV to pull the outfit. Now, we can start on the fishing tackle.
I'll get my fish at the super market and spend the rest of the money on TOOLS.
Frosty
I'm not even going into talking about going to a sporting event... ok, since ya asked. I could have bought quite a few new tools for what I spent on a baseball game last summer. Betwix, tickets $150 for 4, food, pop, and of course beer, ohh did I need the beer with the kids. Not to mention parking, souveniors and gas (I mean gas for the truck), and some Advil that night and the next day... I think a new bandsaw would been a better bet.
I've worked with a couple people who got hooked on water skiing and went from a fairly secure financial position to some serious honkin' debt in the course of a summer. The large poster of 'the world's greatest ski boat" above their desk is usually the first sign that they got a problem. But it's when they buy a lakefront property with a dock and an electric lift to lift their boat outta the water that you know that they are in deep.
...Nah, I don't feel guilty about buying the odd woodworking tool or workshop enhancement,...
Take care, Ed
The only bad thing, is when you rashly state that you are going to remodel the kitchen with custom cabinets of your own design and make, and at a fraction of the cost.
Hummm, there's lots of skills here that need to be MASTERED before you put yourself on such bold display.
Oh, well .... got lots of time, right honey?
Mike D :)
I still have the guilt. I too sneak my new stuff in the back door.
No guilt here. I've been on a tool-buying spree anyway for three years, making sure I have everything I need (and a few things I don't) building a house. Gradually building up a long-term shop.
Anytime I get that guilty feeling, I look at the people who burn hundreds of dollars a year smoking, or spend big bucks playing golf, or fishing, or any number of "hobbies" that generate little in return other than some fleeting personal satisfaction. Then I go out and buy another tool.
Between woodworking, golf and cooking, my wife has learned to very effectively roll her eyes and sigh deeply, all while shaking her head as I discuss camping, fishing, bird hunting, etc. I've reached the conclusion that I would make an excellent idle millionaire! Woodworking is the priority--I've played 4 rounds of golf in the past year and haven't bought any new kitchen/cooking stuff in quite some time. I've got my eye on a new bandsaw and drill press this year, not to mention several hand tools. Guilt is a worthless emotion! Viva la tools! Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled