What hobby would you like to start?

[Silentrunning]

Is there some hobby / endeavor that you have never participated in that you would like to try? Assuming that cost was not a factor, of course.

For me it would be Radio Controlled airplanes. The videos showing the abilities of these small planes are most interesting.

 

[Retired]

Hi,

Good question Silentrunning. Radio controlled planes sounds like an interesting hobby; are you also considering drones which are now quite popular; I read that drones were even being used by criminals to supply drugs to their mates inside prison? Go for it and good luck.

I've known about metal spinning for over 50 years and always fancied having a go; I finally got around to it and during the last two weeks have been on a very steep learning curve resulting in successful spinning of coach lamp reflectors.

One other thing I'd like to have a go at is stained glass; if only days were longer than 48 hours I could do so much more.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

[Silentrunning]

Hi,

Good question Silentrunning. Radio controlled planes sounds like an interesting hobby; are you also considering drones which are now quite popular; I read that drones were even being used by criminals to supply drugs to their mates inside prison? Go for it and good luck.

I've known about metal spinning for over 50 years and always fancied having a go; I finally got around to it and during the last two weeks have been on a very steep learning curve resulting in successful spinning of coach lamp reflectors.

One other thing I'd like to have a go at is stained glass; if only days were longer than 48 hours I could do so much more.

Kind regards, Colin.

I have followed your metal spinning with great interest. I think your services will be much in demand once people discover your work. My time lately has been spent mostly on the building of my new house. I have almost completed my garage and will be moving on to reassembling my amateur radio station. I always envisioned retirement as being relaxing but it seems I am busier now than when I was gainfully employed.

 

[Doghouse Riley]

i'm knee deep in hobbies.

Long term ones were playing sqash for a club team in my thirties and forties, other long term interests have been gardening,japanese koi, electric piano and Film Noir. After I took early retirement, I got into golf (weather permittinng, I play three times a week), vinyl jukeboxes and saxophones .
I really haven't time for any more hobbies.

 

[Silentrunning]

i'm knee deep in hobbies.

Long term ones were playing sqash for a club team in my thirties and forties, other long term interests have been gardening,japanese koi, electric piano and Film Noir. After I took early retirement, I got into golf (weather permittinng, I play three times a week), vinyl jukeboxes and saxophones .
I really haven't time for any more hobbies.

I have to say, I love your jukeboxes. Hobbies are like cookies - there is always room for just one more.

 

[Doghouse Riley]

I have to say, I love your jukeboxes. Hobbies are like cookies - there is always room for just one more.

Thanks for your kind words.

These are my 1970s wallboxes, I bought these before many people realised that with an adapter an amplifier and speakers, you could use them to play mp3s on an iPod. They have since become very expenive to buy, if in good condition. As I already had my jukeboxes ad subscribed to jukebox enthusiasts' message board. I found out aout the adapters, which a little engineering firm in New York were making.

All the necessary wring is hidden. not even my wife can complain about these.

For those unawaware, wall boxes used to be situated at the end of a booth table in a diner, either connected to a parent jukebox, or a "hideway," in a back room or cellar, containing all the necessary equipment to play 45rpm records.
This is a "hidaway," No one in their right mind woud want that in a house.

As the nights are closing in I can spend more time on my "all singin' an dancin' Tyros 5"

It's a tight squeeze between the door and my reclining chair on that side of the room.

I'm still amazed at it's versitility.

https://app.box.com/s/rzpm3986gxf8rbqjusc79wvjc7yvtrot


and as were getting nearer to Christmas
.

https://app.box.com/file/327489054904

 

[Retired]

Hi,

Thanks Silentrunning; it's highly unlikely I'll go into production regarding metal spinning; I find it highly interesting and just for my own use I'd like to incorporate metal spinning with my woodturning projects so I've plenty to think about and to keep me busy.

Your jukeboxes are wonderful Doghouse; I'm particularly interested in their complicated mechanisms; anything mechanical grabs my interest. many years ago a work colleague owned a big floor standing jukebox and even then he said it was worth at least £3,500 so a deep pocket is needed if collecting jukeboxes is to be a new hobby?

Kind regards, Colin.

 

[piglet11]

As a kid, a long time ago before endless entertainment came along, I and my mates filled the days with model boats, planes and trains. Going out alone then was safe. I loved making anything. Eventually, I got into science and engineering. Now retired, I've got time to go back to some of the things that interested me then. How it has changed. The trains are exceptional quality, and a balsawood RC plane from Banggood (Piper Cub J3) is a thing of beauty. To keep the brain up to speed, I use the computer a lot and program exceptionally useful devices called microcontrollers (look up Arduino). I'm an information sponge. That's on top of fully refurbishing the existing house. Staying fit and sane is all about physical and mental exercise.

 

[Retired]

Hi,

You're one of the old school like me piglet and better for it unlike kids these days wearing fingers out on keyboards and texts.

Before endless entertainment came along? C'mon we had much better entertainment and a great deal more fullfilling as kids over 50 years ago; in those long ago days food was a luxury as were clothes and shoes without holes.

The gang of kids I was in both lads and lasses had a whale of a time; seldom indoors in summer playing out from dawn to dusk unless at school and yes we all attended school otherwise the school bobby was on our case.

Balsa wood brings back memories but to buy it these days requires a second mortgage; we had everything we needed in order to enjoy ourselves and the lot costing absolutely nothing; tree houses; trolleys etc; one day we found a pedal cycle without tyres in the pit yard and what a racket it made as we peddalled it around as fast as we could go; as you say we were all safe in those days and neighbours were best friends; burglars were rare because we had nothing worth stealing so our doors were never locked; at night we had a very cheap valve radio and listened in to the likes of Flash Gordon; Uncle Mac and Radio Luxenbourg; the radio reception was always poor it fading in and out; big birthday parties and huge bonfires the 5th of November; we were never bored and went to bed to drop into a coma; my late father made us a big see-saw to hold eight of us and this saw a lot of action.

Chips in those days were genuine chips from the chippie unlike now when they refer to electronic components. We could stroll across and play in the road because cars were rare; we used legs and feet to get to school and the schools never ever closed due to severe weather; there is now so much money around that it encourages idleness; obese wasn't a term relating to my school chums. Friends could be relied upon and trusted.

Enough of this I've got a workshop waiting to be occupied by me. Fully retired at 71 and not enough hours in a day now what is retirement supposed to be.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

[piglet11]

Colin - spot on. By endless entertainment I mean endless telly, theme parks, smart phones etc. I bike a lot, and more than once someone with a phone and earphones will walk towards me before they realise there is a bike wheel between their legs. We "baby-boomers" get the blame for everything, but the 50's were hard, just after the war. Diseases like TB, smallpox, polio were still around. NHS just started. 6 hours of one channel B&W TV. But we knew right from wrong, respected teachers and authority. The internet has a lot to answer for doing kids of today brains in. They wouldn't have lasted five minutes.
Good luck and DO try to enjoy your retirement. I know exactly what you mean by not enough hours
All the best

 

[piglet11]

Colin
The other thing I forgot to mention, I don't know about you, but I don't remember anything of all this stuff like Attention Deficit, Autism, food allergies, special needs etc. There might have been one or two "odd" kids, but that was it. One bath a week, unheated houses and eat what's put in front of you. Sets you up for life ahead.

 

[Retired]

Hi,

Well said piglet. My mobile phone bought about 7 years ago cost an whole fiver and is steam powered. It broke my heart to put £10 credit on it and I'm now on my second £10 credit; I use it once a month to let Bron know I'm heading home from Rufforth Auto Jumble weather permitting so the phone isn't welded to my ear; I also have proper meals so I'm never wandering around with phone welded to ear whilst stuffing my face with food; it's difficult to understand isn't it why there is so much obesity these days after all texting and being driven to and from school (sorry academy) sure burns up a lot of energy.

I've enjoyed a lifetime of illness; in and out of hospital and no specialist; doctor or surgeon had a clue what was wrong with me; I was aged 57 when Bron read out a short article in one of her girlie mags regarding food intolerance; two days later I was 80% cured because I switched to Soya from dairy; my life was a misery just because of this but now I'm Soya powered I feel alive.

A school chum Marilyn came down with polio but fortunately went on to get married and have children; as you say TB was common and nearby there was a sanitorium; attention deficit was instantly cured by the teacher and teachers were in control; if we got into trouble at school we got into deeper trouble at home. I once received six of the best for carving my girlfriends initials on the underside of the lid of my desk using a big sheaf knife; it was rather a surprise when I looked up to see the teacher and headmaster standing over me; we used to have big knives and air guns etc but never hurt anyone; the odd window suffered from a catapult.

A neighbour bought a TV and at evenings about a dozen of us kids would gather around to watch it; for the first few years of my life we didn't have electricity and only cold water; lighting was by gas the type of gas that used to kill. Possers; rubbing boards and mangles were in every home; mothers cooked and baked and remained home with kids. My late grandfather and father were coal miners; we used to receive loads of coal so at least we managed one coal fire for the whole house; my father would return home from the pit had with us kids shunted into the bedroom he would have a bath in a tin bath in front of the fire; yes we kids used to have a bath each week in the same bath; clothes were handed down. Walk to school with a slice of bread and dripping or jam if money allowed; couldn't afford bus fares and no school outings if it meant money.

In spite of the dire poverty we knew how to enjoy what we had and people smiled at each other; absolutely no swearing on TV unlike now; Bron and I seldom watch normal TV because it's just rubbish; footballers running around pulling their shirt over their head because they've managed to kick a ball into a net; the likes of Ant & Dec being paid huge amounts of money but what for and not just them either; I still don't know which is Ant or Dec and I'm not losing sleep over it.

You and I piglet have been there and know what life is about; we knew real poverty unlike now when I believe the poverty line is £26,000 in our day poverty meant £0.

I could enjoy retirement more if I didn't need to eat and sleep? Some things are better these days but not many that are important.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

[piglet11]

Colin. We could write a book, but we would be accused of being old codgers droning on. Your early years description mirrors mine to a tee and I've still got the bath. Let's be grateful we were lucky enough to enjoy and survive that tougher but richer childhood. Enjoy whatever you choose to do with your time.
Best wishes P

 

[jameyco]

I would like to take time to travel again. But that fails firstly on the money and secondly on the time .....

 

[Chrisos]

Travelling and musical composition...too bad life is so short

 

[Retired]

Hi,

Thanks piglet; yes times were hard and money just a dream when we were kids but we knew how to enjoy ourselves making the most of junk; how many kids these days do you see pedalling around a pit yard on a bike without tyres just running on the wheel rims but it was the height of technology to us; computers didn't have us sitting indoors; we were outside playing in all weather with genuine trusty friends; kids these days have a much easier but mostly boring life hence they are resorting to drugs; alcohol and knives. Yes I'm an old codger of 71 but how things have changed during my lifetime; do kids have legs and feet these days?

jameyco; depending on your age you could do as Bron and I have done; pay a lot of money into a private pension then wait for over 40 years and hopefully then you'd have funds to travel; we've not had many luxuries during our married life but with planning we're now well off enough to enjoy our respective hobbies and lovely home without money problems; on the second fail though regarding time as with Chriso I find I seem to do less in retirement than I did working full time in a highly stressful job; I think the trick is to make the most of what I already have; now we've got funds there's actually very little we need or even want and I still enjoy making useful items from offcuts and scrap.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

[Retired]

Hi,

Petrol lawn mowers.

I've worked on petrol engines for over 50 years and although I've had our petrol lawn mower for the last 32 years I've done very little work on it other than to service it after each cutting season. My interest was given a prod recently when my chum was having problems with his Briggs & Stratton powered mower; he lives 70 miles away so it wasn't a case of just popping over to give an hand; anyway to cut a long story short after spending a lot of time on his wayward mower including buying a new carb etc he finally called it a day and bought a new Honda mower and this Saturday he is kindly giving me his old mower to play with; we're meeting at Rufforth Auto Jumble where I'll collect the mower from him.

I became interested and because of the age of our mower I've given it a decoke and a valve grind even though it was running perfectly so now it should last for many years to come. I've been researching mower repairs and I'm looking forward to tinkering with the mower once collected. repairing and restoring mowers looks like a good hobby and needn't cost a fortune;

Our next door neighbour's gardener has just had his mower serviced; it was out of action for three weeks whilst only needing an oil change; filter; spark plug and had a new blade installed costing £145. This gardener is a top guy being likeable and trustworthy; in future I'll service his petrol machinery just for the cost of the spares used; I wish I had lots more space because I'd like to buy a ride on mower as repair/spares and fully rebuild it; anyone on here likes playing with mowers?

Kind regards, Colin.

 

[Silentrunning]

Here are 2 of my 9 lawnmowers. The top one is my pride and joy. It is a 1951 International Harvester, Farmall Cub. It is set up with a Wood’s Belly Mower. I am almost done with all the mechanical work on it but I still have to replace the sediment bowl and fuel lines. It is hard to work on it since I use it almost every weekend for various tasks. The bottom mower is a new Snapper ZTR. The only problem with it is that it is so fast it is scary to drive. Colin, as you know I love to do anything to get my hands dirty.

 

[Retired]

Hi,

Yes Doug; dirty hands can't be beaten but we are an endangered species.

I'd love to have a tractor like yours and space to play with it; Bron would see even less of me. I've only ever driven one tractor this on a farm and I was 15 at the time; it was a Fordson Major petrol/paraffin (kerosene) it started on petrol then was switched to paraffin; happy carefree days. The largest vehicle I've driven is a Scammell Crusader hooked up to bulk tipper trailer at 38 tons? this over 40 years ago; I must be getting old?

Thanks Doug for sharing the pictures.

I've now got the car ready for collecting my chums petrol mower tomorrow morning so I'll have a mower to play with over the weekend. I'm toying with the idea of building a Hobbit House instead of a garden hut just to do something different; I like to try new things out otherwise I'd soon become bored.

This morning whilst browsing the web I came across a Skoda Yeti forum; Bron and I love our Yeti which will be three years old in July so I've joined the forum.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

[Silentrunning]

Colin, I don’t know what is sadder - the fact that none of today’s kids will know the thrill of pulling an old vehicle out of a barn or the woods and bringing it back to life with their own hands or the fact that they just don’t care. It is such a thrill to be mowing the front pasture with my old tractor and have a passerby stop to take a picture. When I would drive my 60 year old Studebaker to the grocery store it always had people stopping to take a look or picture. To me this makes all the sore muscles, sleepless nights and bruised knuckles worth it.