Why'd I ever start this thing??

[Larwyn]

My job keeps me out of town many workdays so I get behind on the daily chores that all seem to take priority over the td construction. The things that most of you guys can take care of after work get saved up for the weekend for me. I do a little contract labor for renfaire merchants and friends and that is uaually somthing that has to be done NOW. My td is under an EZ UP and I cover my 4x8 glue up table/workbench with a tarp when I am done, so the weather plays a big part in whether or not I get to work on the td when I do have time. There has been so much rain lately that I have to pump water out of the work area into the ditch by the road, so when I do work on the td I am stomping thorugh mud.

I have learned not to be anxious to finish this project. It will be done when it is done. Perhaps it is because I get so many involuntary breaks from the td construction that keeps me from feeling the way you guys do.

Carrying a laminated wall while walking in ankle deep mud and weaving between the trees to get it from the glue up table to the waiting trailer and floor were pure joy to me. I can only imagine what it is like to you folks with inside shops and hard, dry, flat floors....

I just remind myself that the goal of this project is to achieve the best quality I can under the conditions I am working and that there is NO DEADLINE.

[norm perkiss]

I'm of the same mind as Larwyn, NO DEADLINE, it's the process for me. I could have finished by now, if I had worked on the TD every change I got. But if I were done, I'd have to start another project. And besides I enjoy the sit'n and think'n part, making it up as you go.
Norm

[David Grason]

I think this has turned into a really good thread.

[mikeschn]

I'm starting to realize the same thing. It goes hand in hand with the saying, you've gotta stop and smell the roses!

Mike...

[Arne]

Hmmm, I thought it was "smell the fresh wood chips"......

------------------------

Way off this topic, I'd like to make a request. Some of the topics are not clear about the content...... please don't be offended, but some don't mean much to me, like:

Any Ideas? (how about "Need ideas about ______"

There are so many posts that more specific titles would help, as some might skip over topics they can not identify with.......

Anyway, I have a lot of time demands and can't keep up with all the topics, but want to read those of personal interest and those I might be able to help out with.... again, this is just a suggestion....

[Guest]

I haven't done this yet, but it's next on the list. I intend to install copper lines from the air compressor.

David,
I don't know if the cold weather back in TN would have an adverse affect on this, but...
In my last three shops I've used schedule 40 plastic water pipe for all my air lines.
It's easy on the pocket book, quick and easy... just cut, prime and glue. I've never had a line burst or connection come appart and my latest compressor tops out at 175 PSI.
Oh Yaa, I do use a short rubber air hose (About 3' long) to go from the compressor to the wall mounted schedule 40 pipe to dampen the vibration of the compressor while it's running.
I was a bit leary of this type of setup at first until I noticed a lot of auto body shops in my area using it.

[campadk]

Hey David,
I solved the Disappearing Tape Measure Mystery.
1. If it's not next to the phone, from that call that interupted you...
2. Check next to the toilet.
3. If it's still missing...Grab another one from the drawer.

Dean I have a much better solution! My wife bought me 10 measuring tapes for Christmas a few years ago. She got them at the dollar store... er.. for a $1 each. They come in many different colors. So I put one here.... one there... another over yonder... etc etc.

Its been 2 years and I can still find at least two of them if you give me a few minutes!

Side note: this solution works equally well for the following:

- electrical tape
- scissors
- screwdriver
- hammer
- heavy duty stapler
- flash lights
- AA batteries

[mikeschn]

My wife bought me 10 measuring tapes for Christmas a few years ago.

Michelle did that for me too! I must have had a dozen assorted tape measures. I can usually find just one when I need it... I wonder where the other 11 disappeared to?

Mike...

[Guest]

Ditto on the flashlights, except I have to add in the kid factor... especially with my daughter.
I stopped buying the batteries in bulk for two reasons...
1. I wouldn't hide them well enough from the kids.
2. I hid them too well from myself.

[gardenwood]

Now I understand why the shop is equipped as it is.

Once, when cleaning, I sorted and put away all the screwdrivers, tapes, and electrical tape. Thought I was at HD.... scary!

Worst part, Roger couldn't find anything after I'd cleaned

Lois

[Geron]

Worst part, Roger couldn't find anything after I'd cleaned

Lois

OH MY GOD! My worst nightmare - My dear wife cleaning my shop!!

About all this tape measure stuff. Ya'll (I'm from the South) sound like seasoned pro's but just in case here's a tip. If you ever drop a tape measure CHECK THE LIP. If it's bent you can be up to 1/16 " short. Yeah, Ask me how I know this!!

Geron

[Joanne]

I haven't done this yet, but it's next on the list. I intend to install copper lines from the air compressor.

David,
I don't know if the cold weather back in TN would have an adverse affect on this, but...
In my last three shops I've used schedule 40 plastic water pipe for all my air lines.
It's easy on the pocket book, quick and easy... just cut, prime and glue. I've never had a line burst or connection come appart and my latest compressor tops out at 175 PSI.
Oh Yaa, I do use a short rubber air hose (About 3' long) to go from the compressor to the wall mounted schedule 40 pipe to dampen the vibration of the compressor while it's running.
I was a bit leary of this type of setup at first until I noticed a lot of auto body shops in my area using it.

We had that type of setup at our last house. A friend of mine saw it and told me that OSHA had made him remove a similar setup at his work site. They didn't mind the fact that the air lines were plastic, but said that PVC is brittle. If you bump it hard enough it will fracture and blow plastic fragments everywhere. As I remember OSHA suggested using the gray plastic pipe instead. It will puncture or bend, but not fragment.

Joanne

[gerry boucher]

Like most of you I had to stop for one reason or another. Right now I have to wait for Cubscouts to finish (I am double den daddy) and the weather to warm.
One way I keep my wife out of the garage is to come in regularly and comment about the big black hairy spiders I did battle with. Works like a charm.

[doug hodder]

Hey Geron.........don't think of it as a thing. It is an expression of your creative abilities. I had loads of people busting my chops on building boats, and it is a real little red hen story "I won't help you, but I am willing to go out in the boat". It's the project that matters, and the satisfaction after comleting it. When you finally get it finished and everyone comes up and asks where you got it, you'll know what it is all about. Hang in there, it's worth it. Doug Hodder

[Geron]

Thanks Doug,

But Hey, I ain't quittin' -- just stalled!! Ordered and received my T-molding, door latches, galley hinge, Fantastic Vent, (windows back ordered) and the Aluminium is next on the list with my supplier about an hour drive away.

Slo' but sho'

Geron