Why'd I ever start this thing??

[Geron]

Anybody else ever reach that stage in building??? I built my own house and hit that stage several times!!!

However, got back to work today and made a little progress on my TD.

Mounted the fenders: I found myself just sittin' and a thinkin' and a thinkin' and a sittin' and decided to just jump in and do it. Not a hitch.
[url="http://www.hunt101.com/?p=261953&c=500&z=1"][/url]

Yeah, OK. I got the cheap fenders from Tractor Supply. I"m already thinking about a 5 footer.

More pics: http://www.hunt101.com/showgallery.php? ... 17&cat=500



Geron

[Arne]

Those fenders are much better looking than the stock h/f jobs... on the other hand, I use the stock flat fenders to put my sandals on..... still, like the looks....

[David Grason]

I'm at a point in my build where I need to take everything out of the shop and do a really good cleaning and organizing. I subconsciensously lay things down and I don't realize that I did it. Then I'll spend way too much time searching for the item I inadvertantly laid down. Today, I laid my tape measure down and then I needed it a few minutes later. It took me over an hour to find it. Within another 30 minutes I was needing a box of screws that I'd had not too much time earlier and I spent another half an hour looking for those darn screws. I finally gave up. I have no idea where they are. I just closed up the shop and said: "I'll do this another day."

[Geron]

I'm at a point in my build where I need to take everything out of the shop and do a really good cleaning and organizing.

When I was about 12 and again when I was in my mid 30's I worked with my Father. First in a commercial sign shop and later we built his house together. He had one unbreakable rule. At the end of each day we stopped in time to clean up and put our tools up. I always thought it foolish because we would start right where we left off the previous day. But now, having broken that rule several times I now recognize the wisdom behind it.

Gotta go put my tools up.

Geron

[Guest]

I laid my tape measure down and then I needed it a few minutes later. It took me over an hour to find it. Within another 30 minutes I was needing a box of screws that I'd had not too much time earlier and I spent another half an hour looking for those darn screws.

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.
It's great to start and finish a project with the same tape, but...
I keep three Stanley PowerLock 3/4" x 12' steel body tapes in my shop and three in my truck. (I usually wear one also on my pants from the time I get up to the time I go to bed, 7 days a week)
I also have two Stanley MaxSteel 1" x 25' yellow plastic body tapes that spend most of the time in the truck. I had a 30' FatBoy that worked great for checking diagonal measurements in windy conditions, but for some reason it only lasted about two weeks before developing a crack in the tape. (Don't think I'll be buying any of those in bulk)

[Arne]

When I built mine, every so often the debris field of cut off pieces, tools, etc. had to be all cleaned up... biggest thing was unwind all the power cords from the power strip... pull all the plugs, untangle everything, throw out the crap, sweep up.... start over....

It seems like a waste of valuable time, but all the mess plays mental havoc after a while. And a neat shop is a happy shop....

[asianflava]

I have one tape measure that developed a crack at the 1in mark. The crack got worse to the point where I have a hard time extending it when it is fully retracted. It seems like the one that I manage to find all the time. I've gotten used to it but it's still annoying. The other new one gets lost for weeks at a time. This broken down one always shows up.

[Larwyn]

I laid my tape measure down and then I needed it a few minutes later. It took me over an hour to find it. Within another 30 minutes I was needing a box of screws that I'd had not too much time earlier and I spent another half an hour looking for those darn screws.

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.
It's great to start and finish a project with the same tape, but...
I keep three Stanley PowerLock 3/4" x 12' steel body tapes in my shop and three in my truck. (I usually wear one also on my pants from the time I get up to the time I go to bed, 7 days a week)
I also have two Stanley MaxSteel 1" x 25' yellow plastic body tapes that spend most of the time in the truck. I had a 30' FatBoy that worked great for checking diagonal measurements in windy conditions, but for some reason it only lasted about two weeks before developing a crack in the tape. (Don't think I'll be buying any of those in bulk)

Multiple tapes is okay as long as you use the same one to measure your cut that you used to measure opening etc. I learned the hard way on a paneling job not to use one tape inside to take measurements and another at the saw to mark the panel. In my case the tape at the saw was measureing a full 16th long. I was constantly having to plane the cut panel to fit the opening it was measured to fit. If it had been the other way around the fit would have been too loose. A 16th inch does not sound like much but over a distance it multiplies qujickly.

asianflava

The one that is always easiest for me to find is the one that I use for measuring rusty/greasy dirty metal. It transfers stuff to wood that will not sand off. I'll have to be sure not to use that one on the cabinet work....

For me it is pencils, I spend a lot of my day looking for that pencil I just used to mark that last board. I start the day with as many pencils as I can find so I dont have to look for the same one. After I loose a few in different places they become much easier to find as I have incresed the odds greatly......

[Doug]

I'm bummed to hear that the TD build has this feature. I was hoping it would be pure joy all the way through, lol.

We, too, have an old home (about 100+ year old clapboard home). We love it but it's never done and I reach points where I'm just sick of it. One year we did tons of stuff, Pergo flooring, refinish cabinets, new windows and I just got sick of it. I have still never put up trim on the new windows.

My wife suggested I put the trim on before I start the teardrop.

[Geron]

I'm bummed to hear that the TD build has this feature. I was hoping it would be pure joy all the way through, lol.

We love it but it's never done and I reach points where I'm just sick of it.

You know, I finished it once then added 800 sq.ft (house not TD) this past summer. I'm looking to finish it about 3 years from now!! That's when I retire and we get up there full time.

Geron

[asianflava]

I sure am glad that I'm not the only one who goes thru this. When I built my shed (10X16), I got to that point about 3/4 thru. All I had to do were the doors and soffits to seal it up then paint. It took 2 months of weekends to get to that point then another 5 months to finish it.

I think I do this on every project, I'm almost at that point on the tear. It seems like I've been working on cabinets and drawers FOREVER! I kinda wanted to take it to the TX camp out but I'm not far enough along. At least it has kicked me into doing some work every weekend.

[David Grason]

... biggest thing was unwind all the power cords from the power strip... pull all the plugs, untangle everything, throw out the crap, sweep up.... start over....

I'm still new to my shop. So I'm actuallyl still building work benches and such like. Here are a few things that I've already started doing in an effort to make working here more enjoyable and easier on the mental attitude. And I will be adding new ideas to the mix:

I'm getting all my 110v extensions on retractable reels that hang from the ceiling. That way there's nothing underfoot. I'll have at least 4 of them - one for each corner of the main room.

I've already wired in 4 different outlets for the 220v supply to my MIG welder. That way wherever I roll the MIG, there's a place close by to plug in. This is one thing that has really made life a lot happier here.

I haven't done this yet, but it's next on the list. I intend to install copper lines from the air compressor. So far, I've been using standard air hose right from the front of the compressor and it makes it nearly impossible to roll anything like the welder or even the teardrop sometimes around the shop. It's like this gigantic flexible wheel chock. Drives me BATS-BATS-BATS- BATS, I TELLYA! So that's gotta change.

This final thing I've already done and I didn't realize just how fast I was going to reap the benefits but MAN I sure have. I've wired all the 110v outlets that power my tools separately from the shop's lights. That way when I trip a breaker, I DON'T LOSE THE LIGHTS! DOH!

[GeorgeT]

Just this eveing I said to my wife "If I had to start from scratch again on this thing I wouldn't bother!" I'm into my 4th month and looking at a couple more months to finish. But as I look at it I am amazed at what all I have done in the 4 months. Went through the same mid-project blues on my last two guitars I built. Jeez they take a lot of time too, but one day you look at it and it seems as though it just appeared in that state of build and you hardly remember all the hard work and hours that was put into it. I guess when you are really into it, you don't notice so much how much time your spending until you look at the mess in your shop and the date on the calendar and reality sets in that you ain't finshed and its still gonna be awhile yet. I just finished another major component on mine, the slide out in the pop up. It works very nicely and will post pics soon. Also just finished major clean up of my shop too. I also have been having problems finding stuff like pencils, screws, staples, tape measures, rulers, sanding blocks, and worst of all my coffee cup. So with all the saw dust cleaned up, all the little pieces of wood scraps stored, my tools all dusted off and my coffee cups located I feel a little excitement about the next major component, the door. A guess a clean and orderly shop with a new sanding disk installed and a good step back and a good look at whatcha got done sofar is a good way to get the ball rolling again especially when deep down you really like doin' this stuff.

[BILLYL]

George-

I get the same way - like you I also make guitars (small number a year 3-5) and they seem to never get done. Or at least done to were I like them to be. And now this project - TT. I have to work on it outside - I have a carport - and I am very dependent on the weather - and the last few days I think winter will never end

Dave - one thing I would sugget that you consider in your shop is a "PANIC SWITCH" All the major power tools can be turned off at once if I turn this switch off. I have it high enough off the floor (about shoulder height) and it is illuminated. So if it is on it will glow - so just in case of a emergency I can hit the switch and kill power to all the main tools. Also keeps young ones away from starting something they shouldn't

[BILLYL]

George-

I get the same way - like you I also make guitars (small number a year 3-5) and they seem to never get done. Or at least done to were I like them to be. And now this project - TT. I have to work on it outside - I have a carport - and I am very dependent on the weather - and the last few days I think winter will never end

Dave - one thing I would sugget that you consider in your shop is a "PANIC SWITCH" All the major power tools can be turned off at once if I turn this switch off. I have it high enough off the floor (about shoulder height) and it is illuminated. So if it is on it will glow - so just in case of a emergency I can hit the switch and kill power to all the main tools. Also keeps young ones away from starting something they shouldn't