What prevents you from doing more woo…
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What prevents you from doing more woodworking?
- Working more hours
- Other entertainment choices
- New hobbies
- Getting older
- Can’t afford materials
- Moved and lost my shop space
- Other (post in Knots)
You will not be able to change your vote.
Replies
It's 97 degrees and 90% humidity in the Houston area. My shop is in the garage and it's TOO #$#@%$% HOT to work.
On the bright side, I did find that if you sweat on a nice piece of quartersawn white oak the iron in your sweat will react with the tannin in the oak and stain it a nice dark blue, almost black. So, I can sand and stain at the same time but everything I build from June through September is blue...
60 hour a week job. nuf saidGovernment's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
Go into work about 10 am then clock out between 11 and 12 five days a week. Sat. gets eat up fast mowing and other household jobs. A round of Golf after church on Sunday an time with family.
I am not complaining too much with the cost of everything sky high the overtime is nice. I have been stocking up on lumber and materials for the winter months to come.
I agree, East Texas is hot,hot,hot!!!
I've been having to spend the majority of my time selling my tool collection in order to pay the bills. I have three projects my wife wants me to make but no money means no woody.
As usual, there is no one answer to this question. I wish that you could make multiple choices. I have many reasons that I do not spend as much time in the shop as I used to, or would like to.
Getting older; it takes me longer to get things done. And I really don't have as much energy as I used to, so it just takes me longer to do anything.
Too many Honey Do items that do not directly involve woodworking.
Life, I still work full time and there are just never enough hours in the day to do everything that I want/need to do.
Family; I am a great grandfather now and as the family grows it takes more time to play with sweet little Andrea.
But, woodworking is still a great way to unwind and relax. I can go downstairs and grab a piece of wood to work with and whether I am smoothing it with a hand plane or I have the cyclone and a power tool running making chips I leave the other cares and problems behind and enjoy the time in the shop.
Hope you all have time to enjoy the woodworking that you do have time for.
Bruce
Spending too much time reading/posting on Knots. (Oh, and Breaktime.)
;-)
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
Perpetual tool shopping/hoarding/tuning should have been one of your categories.
Edited 8/1/2008 7:55 am ET by PanBroil
The Mississippi Gulf Coast is a bit warm but the humidity can be overwhelming. If my garage door faced west it would not be too hot in the morning but it faces east. Even with 2 fans going I usually pull the plug around 95 degrees.
Illness. Since about 10 years I have the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I wake up as tired as I was the night before. I get in my workshop as soon as I have a bit of energy, even if it's for a short period. Sometime I do my craft half a day, and this is a great day for me. I had to retired 4 years ago, and in 2001 I wanted to suicide. Every day though I thank God since I have no pain (like many others), I don't have to get to the hospital every week (like many others) and don't have to feed with pills (like many others). I'm only tired.
Still, I keep in the woodworking mood by reading related magazines and books, watching related videos and DVDs, sirfing the Internet for woodworking web sites and finally, since January, maintaining my own woodworking web site to share my woodworking experience.
I believe I have about 20 years to live (statisticly) and I wish I could spend most of this time in my workshop.
Best,
Serge
- Learn from yesterday, work today, and enjoy success tomorrow -
http://www.atelierdubricoleur.org
Edited 8/1/2008 10:51 am ET by bricofleur
Hang in there friend. I too share a similar fate, though my disease is different (Myelofibrosis). I'll keep you in my thoughts."I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination."Jimmy Dean
Hi Jimmy,
Thank you for your kind words. Too bad you have a similar disease, and problably worst since I think yours bring pain along, what I don't have. Only (sort of speak) the fatigue.
I'll keep you in my thoughts too.
I stay on: "To be happy in life, minimize expectations, minimize jugements, minimize needs and minimize restrictions."
Best,
Serge
- Learn from yesterday, work today, and enjoy success tomorrow -
http://www.atelierdubricoleur.org
Edited 8/6/2008 4:27 pm ET by bricofleur
I'm actually doing more as time goes on and enjoying it.
J.Gese
I have a 5 year old and a 1 1/2 year old. You can figure out the rest. :@)
Great ! Spend as much time as you can with your children. Time goes so fast. For the time being, building a relation with them is more important than building "stuff".
Best.
Serge
- Learn from yesterday, work today, and enjoy success tomorrow -
http://www.atelierdubricoleur.org
I have my hands full and my wallet is empty right now trying to keep my house from falling down around my ears.
Nothing.
Glad I didn't spoil the 0% for "New hobbies." I checked Other, for New Avocation. My return to Dressage training is far beyond a hobby, but not quite a profession yet. Soaks up the hours and energy like a dry sponge though!
[Three days into 5-day training stint on Whidbey Island; yeah, I know, put in the Cafe. Har, har.]
View Image
FG,You are riding a fine looking horse! Are you training your own horse(s) or are you training for someone else? The care and feeding of your own animals is truly an every day job with no holidays or vacations. If another person is bringing his or her horses to you, you may have the option of scheduling around your therapeutic shop time.
Heart, shoot me an email (click on my name and then Send Email) and I'll fill you in. These guys are probably tired of hearing about it, ROFL!! It's been a resurrection of sorts.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Edited 8/7/2008 12:38 am by forestgirl
Well, I tried to send you an e-mail through Knots. Did it come through?
Yes, it did, but I've only been home a little bit tonight. Off to answer my emails now!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
The shop itself. It isn't laid out well or should I say efficiently.
Home maintenance. There always something that needs to be fixed. The list grows everyday.
Oh! and the wine cellar...
Len
"You cannot antagonize and influence at the same time. " J. S. Knox
It's funny because now that I started my woodworking business you would think that I spend the bulk of my time working wood! That's simply not the case, even though I'm in the process of building pieces for my portfolio I find myself getting pulled in many different directions other than woodworking!
Chaim
Not surprising, Chaim. All of a sudden, instead of simply being a Woodworker, you are Marketing Director, Bookeeper, Tax Specialist, Receptionist and Chief Cook and Bottle Washer. So it goes when one is a sole proprietor.
Good Luck!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Other...
It's hot in the shop mid-day but that doesn't stop me as I have a fan. I've pumped out a 4 piece bedroom suit in nine months with a coffee table waiting in the wings. Sold my TS early this week and having to wait 3 weeks till I recieve the new one.
I will be demo'ing machines for a manufacturer at IWF so the absence of the TS is absorbed somewhat with that task.
Sarge..
my shop space is just flat out small, not just because I moved, but that is all the space I have, also there is school work.
The next level is here.... Turning.
I'm moving soon. Hopefully the county of San Diego will OK the plans for my new shop next week. Once it's done and my tools have been moved in I'll be increasing my woodworking. Having just retired, I'll have a lot more shop time.
I wanted to answer getting old, but more truthfully, the answer would be being to worn out. No energy and can't think straight. My day job is a time for recuperation, I often joke, though there's acually more truth to that than you may think. Play hard!
Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
What prevents you from doing more woodworking?
For me..
1) Money to buy wood or food for my dogs. I do not eat much. A cold can of Corn or June peas keeps me happy AND tater soup!
2) My shop! OR IS that the weather here in Chicago? It is either WAY to cold for gluing or finishing or too humid and so hot the glue dries as I put it on!!
3) Chatting' with the wonderful folks in here! Some so straight laced and laid back.. I think.. Is as a new Bride... She wants to connect... but not sure how to do it withought looking like a slut.
(You have to learn how to hug she/he? (And the mean folks.. that are NOT that Mean at all! Just think like me in a different way!
Two year old daughter. I choose to spend most of my free time with her.
Beautiful child..
And then some... All girls here in my family... Girls are the nicest things on Earth.
Thanks Will,
You are right. I had a friend tell me he loves his son, but there is nothing like coming home at night to a hug from his daughter. I now know what he was talking about. I have a list of projects I need to get done for her, so I better get out to the shop.
Aww heck, my shop tools are all packed up and sitting in a mini warehouse in Clearwater, MN. I'm waiting for my house in IL to sell before I buy a new place.
I can whittle, but that's about all.
Huckleberry
"Other" was my vote.Large yard & pool to maintain in the spring/summer/fall.A house that needs more work than I thought when
my bride & I purchased it.And - I am fortunate - that my wife is THE BEST & I
enjoy spoiling her. (No I'm not "whipped" - first marriage
was just plain awful! Second time around makes me
realize how fortunate I am!)This is a double edged sword. I spend most of my free time
with Mary - AND! - she never says "NO!" to a new tool purchase!Bill-http://www.franklinwoodwright.com
I answered with "money", however, that isn't all.
The wife wants projects, but then doesn't understand when I need to buy tools or supplies to make that "project". "Don't you have the wood to make it already?" (yeah, I'll harvest the tree in the basement.)
Actually, I have also moved (from New Mexico to Norther Kentucky) and am only leasing my new home, so I am limited to what I can do to set up my shop in the basement. At least it's heated and air conditioned. I did add a dust collector this year, but I need a good table saw that will "fit" in the space available. I have been sticking to smaller projects, and scroll sawing, next project: a Hope Chest for my youngest daughter for Christmas, and ornaments for all the grandkids.
Spending time with the kids is important too, however, now all mine are grown and live elsewhere in the country... grandkids too.
And - I am fortunate - that my wife is THE BEST & I enjoy spoiling her. (No I'm not "whipped" - first marriage was just plain awful! Second time around makes me realize how fortunate I am!)
You were blessed with BOTH WOMEN!
Your first woman taught you what you really wanted,, She was just her and I would bet she is the 'perfect mate' for another... Men/Woman Mix is HARD to do! If you loved her in the first place... She is NOT a BAD Woman. Just different than you expected!
I'd go back and give her a BIG HUG. No need to explain your hug! I'd bet you loved her the same as you your new mate, just in a different way!
NOTHING wrong with that! The new mate just fit into what you wanted in the first place...
My kids are my top priority, but they drain lots of energy.
Too warm in shop this time of year.
What about the family? That's whats keeping me out of the shop more then I would like.
two kids under the age of 3!
One Word. Heat.
One word and two initials. No AC.
My wife feels I spend too much time in the shop. I've tried to get her interested in finishing.
How can she not be interested in finishing? There's not much better in life than a good simultaneous finish. ;-)
Well... what has kept me from working in the shop, both my own and for my boss, is a recent (6mos. ago) diagnosis of Myelofibrosis, a rare type of blood cancer. Mainly affects my energy, but at only 37 yrs. old, it's beginning to take a toll on my mental state as well...
Getting out there is still the best way to "put it all behind me", even if only for a little while. When I can't physically go there, I go there in my mind, and there I can build such beautiful things...(sigh).
I have to refill the coffe pot and eat sometimes, other than that 10 hours a day, 6 days a week - the wife is home on Sundays
I seem to be moving much more slowly lately and I find it difficult to bring myself to get started.
We are in the process of downsizing our living quarters by moving to a smaller structure thereby eliminating the workshop, although I have been introduced to a complete woodworking shop within the old community we are moving into. I hope to take advantage of these sources soon. Now I have to find a buyer for my existing wood-shop equipment.
One main problem I have is the temperature here in Surprise Az. its been above 110 for more than 23 days outside, and inside it is, or seems to be much hotter.
The last itrm is in this economy it is a lot harder to come up with the cash to build the quality items with the quality product I am used to.
14 month old twin boys...
New house... basement reno in progress... shop reno in progress...
Actually things are pretty good. The basement renovation has taken most of my time, we've got a tight deadline for completion.
The sop is going into the garage, priority number 1 is getting organized. I left the storage cabinets in the last place, so I've slowly been building new ones and getting the tools into place. My priority has been to get things organized so that when I'm in the shop I can be productive.
The summer temperature in my garage, I mean shop.
None of the options apply to me. In my case, my wife and I are having our first baby next week. I turned into a handyman for the last year in order to fix the house to welcome our new born. The work will be finished this weekend just in time!
All of the choices apply to some extent. There is one that you missed: a lack of local sources for hardwoods.
I moved three years ago, and bought a 70's ranch that had been "improved" down through the years by previous owners, who didn't have the skill to accomplish what they attempted in a craftsman like manner, and as there wasn't any building code being enforced much of what they did is scarey.
I do fit in a bit of woodworking, but a lot of it is related to fixing things that are wrong on the house.
I did gain a dedicated shop in the move, so that helps.
Well let me think about this.My daughter is graduating from Grad school after this semester. So she is pretty much finished with me.I'm 50 yrs old so I have much more patience now than I did years ago.My time in the shop is a little more odd than most.I'm a Tugboat Captain so I work 14 days on than 14 days off.I spend on the average 3-6 hrs in the shop when I'm home.Maybe you can tell me if that is a lot or a little.I have never worked a land job,so to be honest I really don't know.Hummmmm
Thank You
Keith
3-6 hrs a day
sorry
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