1 hour ago, HandyDan said:

I have accumulated the tools over a lifetime and feel they represent my life.  I have days when i just putz around in the shop and get nothing done but at the end of the day I was still ahead of sitting in a chair watching the TV.

Amen!!!!

 

Worst day in the shop is better than the greatest day ever at work!

I've done a little model building . I built a wood model of the ship Niagara but when it got to the rigging, my confidence failed . Still have the model but no rigging, and the masts are only partially finished. Posted photos of the Niagara on the forums some time ago.  Maybe I should try building a  plastic model of something a little simpler. In years past I built model airplanes. My cousin flew them for me because I consistently got dizzy while trying to fly them. Could try the radio controlled stuff of today but that does involve a bit more expense.

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Just now, Al B said:

I've done a little model building . I built a wood model of the ship Niagara but when it got to the rigging, my confidence failed . Still have the model but no rigging, and the masts are only partially finished. Posted photos of the Niagara on the forums some time ago.  Maybe I should try building a  plastic model of something a little simpler. In years past I built model airplanes. My cousin flew them for me because I consistently got dizzy while trying to fly them. Could try the radio controlled stuff of today but that does involve a bit more expense.

Al, if that is something that is still peaking your interest, you gotta go for it. I used to love building models myself, I never did do the wood models, but I really loved the clipper ship plastic models by Revell. I built the USS Constitution in grade school, and I had that model for years. I also liked military flotilla as well, a German U-Boat and the USS Kitty Hawk, I built many more and enjoyed it immensely, I do remember getting really tired and loopy though from the Testors glue, when it was the real good stuff, it not only glued parts together, it melted them and did a weld!

 

Al, go for it sir!

51 minutes ago, John Morris said:

Al, if that is something that is still peaking your interest, you gotta go for it. I used to love building models myself, I never did do the wood models, but I really loved the clipper ship plastic models by Revell. I built the USS Constitution in grade school, and I had that model for years. I also liked military flotilla as well, a German U-Boat and the USS Kitty Hawk, I built many more and enjoyed it immensely, I do remember getting really tired and loopy though from the Testors glue, when it was the real good stuff, it not only glued parts together, it melted them and did a weld!

 

Al, go for it sir!

That reminds me of a Patton tank and a Spitfire, F100 and a few more . In my teen years the celebration lead to explosive conclusions.

Friend of mine tells story about his dad, who disparaged the game of golf his whole life.  One day friend was visiting dad and dad was watching golf on TV.

--Never say never

--Do whatever it is you enjoy

--In the end wood rots and metal rusts to dust.  Only the mountains live forever.

--And if you find yourself watching golf on TV, laugh at yourself and get another beer.  You've earned it my friend.

37 minutes ago, PeteM said:

And if you find yourself watching golf on TV, laugh at yourself and get another beer.  You've earned it my friend.

Now that is some great advice Pete, absolutely wonderful!

1 hour ago, Gerald said:

In my teen years the celebration lead to explosive conclusions.

Oh yes, a well placed firecracker between the lower body and upper turret of a Sherman Tank model, fun to watch!

Al, this thread has saddened me since its recent activity.  It seems that a year ago, you started this thread and then found the courage to continue, only to repeat the initiation of this thread.  It really saddens me as you and I have been on forums together for many years.  You were kind and generous enough to loan me your copy of this book:  https://www.amazon.com/Building-Beautiful-Bandsaw-Ventura-2000-12-02/dp/B01K9139SE/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Lois+Keener+Ventura&qid=1571593573&sr=8-1 and I have used it several times.  That was back on the old Handyman Club forums.  I purchased my own copy.   I learned much because you trusted me.  Even if your physical health declines to a point of limited activity, you have much experience and insight to continue contributing to these forums.  And, I hope you have many more years of contribution.  You are needed here.  I want to thank you for your support and assistance through the years.  

 

Like all the comments above, if you don't shut down voluntarily, you may be pleasantly surprised that you can still build toys, or other small craft projects.  We would like to see your projects on here, show us your processes and finished products.  The initial post reminds me of the movie Soylent Green in the 1970's.  Toward the end the side kick of Charlton Heston went to check out of life.  He went to a beautiful building with pretty young women, saw huge pictures of serenity, nature scenes, birds and other beautiful scenery.  That was the last of him.  I prefer to not see any of our guys go away like this.  

 

I think of our forum like this, we are a bunch of guys sitting around a few tables with our coffee, snacks, pastries, napkins, swapping stories and ideas, some drawn on napkins.  When one leaves other come in, the conversation continues with the shift of personnel.  What a comfortable place to be.  Thanks to all for your continued contributions.

Thanks Steve, I don't plan to leave the forums and definitely don't plan to roll up and play dead. There are still the many diy projects that have to be done.  Whatever I do, the primary DIY shop tools will always stay. Funny you should mention the book by Lois Keener Ventura. After you returned the book it went to Dave. I don't think he ever used it . My bro-in law asked about it and when I mentioned this to Dave, he returned to book so my bro-in law could use it. Bro -in-law then returned the book to me and I still have it. Everyone took very good care of it. I just used it to make a BS box that I'll be posting a photo of soon. 

I may get a bit more use of my dremel tool if I decide on doing some model building. Might even get back to the Niagara project that I never finished. I'm sure Larry Jenkins would be glad to see that happen. I bought the model from him when he decided it wasn't his thing and wanted to get back to restoring a Model A Ford truck.

Meanwhile, Artie and I are  planning a get together of the New England chapter of the Patriot Woodworkers. If all goes as planned I will be touring Arties workshop on Sept. 26 and we will be sitting across the table for conversation and lunch.

 

b

I have been pondering this for quite some time. I decided that I am going to take them with me, surely there are things that will need fixing up there, and someone has to do it.

Herb

10 hours ago, Dadio said:

I have been pondering this for quite some time. I decided that I am going to take them with me, surely there are things that will need fixing up there, and someone has to do it.

Herb

I reckon you can leave your carpentry tools behind Herb...

11 hours ago, Dadio said:

I decided that I am going to take them with me

 

Going to need some body builders for pallbearers.

11 hours ago, Dadio said:

things that will need fixing up there

Herb---you sure that's the direction you'll be going??

Maybe bring some scraps of wood along just in case the fires need fuel. (If you go in the opposite direction)

 

just kiddin' ya.

On 10/19/2019 at 10:00 PM, John Morris said:

Oh yes, a well placed firecracker between the lower body and upper turret of a Sherman Tank model, fun to watch!

You'd of loved our model ship launch!!!!

Let's see now...

It had something to do with a pair of model rocket engines that each set off a pair of M80's..

Man was that a BLAST.

If you hip is the major limiting factor why not consider hip replacement?

You would be amazed on how may people with bad knees or hips have said if I knew it could be that good that wold have had it replaced years ago.

 

Thanks Steve, I don't plan to leave the forums and definitely don't plan to roll up and play dead. There are still the many diy projects that have to be done.  Whatever I do, the primary DIY shop tools will always stay. Funny you should mention the book by Lois Keener Ventura. After you returned the book it went to Dave. I don't think he ever used it . My bro-in law asked about it and when I mentioned this to Dave, he returned to book so my bro-in law could use it. Bro -in-law then returned the book to me and I still have it. Everyone took very good care of it. I just used it to make a BS box that I'll be posting a photo of soon. 

I may get a bit more use of my dremel tool if I decide on doing model building. I might even get back to the Niagara project that I never finished. I'm sure Larry Jenkins would be glad to see that happen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

b

No problems with the hip Michael. I have had both knees replaced and that really helped me years ago.  Now the problem is a lack of stamina, muscle aches from weakening back and leg muscle strength along with a bit of arthritis in my shoulders and wrists. Not to worry, I'n still not giving up the ship.

4 minutes ago, Al B said:

No problems with the hip Michael. I have had both knees replaced and that really helped me years ago.  Now the problem is a lack of stamina, muscle aches from weakening back and leg muscle strength along with a bit of arthritis in my shoulders and wrists. Not to worry, I'n still not giving up the ship.

Ah sounds like you need to make an appointment with a physical therpy person and get some excercises going.

 

Edited October 21, 20196 yr by Michael Thuman

23 hours ago, Al B said:

Thanks Steve, I don't plan to leave the forums and definitely don't plan to roll up and play dead. There are still the many diy projects that have to be done.  Whatever I do, the primary DIY shop tools will always stay. Funny you should mention the book by Lois Keener Ventura. After you returned the book it went to Dave. I don't think he ever used it . My bro-in law asked about it and when I mentioned this to Dave, he returned to book so my bro-in law could use it. Bro -in-law then returned the book to me and I still have it. Everyone took very good care of it. I just used it to make a BS box that I'll be posting a photo of soon. 

I may get a bit more use of my dremel tool if I decide on doing some model building. Might even get back to the Niagara project that I never finished. I'm sure Larry Jenkins would be glad to see that happen. I bought the model from him when he decided it wasn't his thing and wanted to get back to restoring a Model A Ford truck.

Meanwhile, Artie and I are  planning a get together of the New England chapter of the Patriot Woodworkers. If all goes as planned I will be touring Arties workshop on Sept. 26 and we will be sitting across the table for conversation and lunch.

 

b

Al I was one the guys from the Handyman Club that you kindly let me borrow your band saw book also. I did try one of the projects in the book but didn't turn out so well. I still have it but out in the shop. I don't think it it was just my thing. Besides having a crappy bandsaw. I'll stick to building other things!!

Thank you for at least lending me the book to give it a try!!

4 minutes ago, Michael Thuman said:

Ah sounds like you need to make an appointment with a physical therpy person and get some excercises going.

 

Getting all the exercise I can handle daily. Walking, doing yardwork, lots of clean-up after the recent windstorm, shopping for the household,  handling building repairs. Climbing ladders is definitely getting harder to do.