Why are we different from other folks?

[notsunkyet]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

honestly wheres the fun in buying something brand new? i mean you buy it, then your afraid to hurt it, then you have payments, etc... i much rather see if i can rebuid, make it better than it was and drive the snot out of it!!!! ok so if i screw it up i know how to fix it because i built it in the first place!

 

[redfury]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

honestly wheres the fun in buying something brand new? i mean you buy it, then your afraid to hurt it, then you have payments, etc... i much rather see if i can rebuid, make it better than it was and drive the snot out of it!!!! ok so if i screw it up i know how to fix it because i built it in the first place!

That's what happened to my first car. We drug it home, spent 3 years fixing it up, and I drove the hell outta it because I knew how to fix it every time.

I also would be diagnosed ADHD if I were to be, and my job is perfect. I work in a house for 2 hours or less usually and am onto the next one. I get, as those who know me, "blinders" once I get involved in something. You have to hit me to get my attention unless you are lucky enough to get my notice before then.

My daughter is inquisitive like me, my son...not so much. But I try to involve them in the learning process. I think part of the reason I do what I do is for the admiration of my family who are always impressed that I can fix things like I do. Sometimes it's just taken for granted that Dad can fix it, or I get so much on my plate that things just don't get done, just started.

I'm fixing up the Glastron because I can spent 15,000 incrementally and feel good about it because it's already spent money, but can't bring myself to put myself into that debt to a bank, etc. Both ways I'm committed to the debt, but I get to control it and how it's paid when I build the boat myself. I don't have patience like I should, but I do know the value of it.

Good things come to those who wait, and to those who work hard to get them.

 

[chrishayes]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

FOr me it is because I am cheap and have had the genetics of a handyman passed on to me from a father that was never even there...I have always been able to figure out how to fix something...always. Not to mention I have absolutely not patience with anything in life that is non mechanical. But if it is not a social or person thing I have more patience than anyone alive! I am the guy that everyone thinks is rich but I am far from it. I buy horrible wrecks of things and rebuild them to a level that makes the untrained eye think is brand new. My house was a complete gut job. That is the only reason I can afford to live in the area that I do on 3 acres. Hell the first night my wife and I lived here we couldnt figure out what kept us awake more, the mice in the attic or the water dripping from the ceiling Needless to say the 2nd day I lived here the roof came off, then the next few months the house was gutted to its studs and rebuilt with 23,000$ and all my own labor. Now, my house is worth 3x what I paid for it and the pride is somthing that cant be bought. Same goes with my boat, motorcycle, jeep, truck and even my 08 civic that I couldnt wait 3 days without tearing apart to make is bigger better faster...like I said though I believe it is genetic. People tell me my father is the exactly the same way.

 

[eaglejim]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

I like making old things look good.About 34 years go I got my first car a "68" VW tore it down built it back several times. Dad liked what he saw and got a "69" VW tore his down and rebuilt it back,over the years I have been making old houses look great and now love bring old boats back,Who knows could be ADHD or just can't imagine working a 9 to 5 job

 

[thrillhouse700]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

FOr me it is because I am cheap and have had the genetics of a handyman passed on to me from a father that was never even there...I have always been able to figure out how to fix something...always. Not to mention I have absolutely not patience with anything in life that is non mechanical. But if it is not a social or person thing I have more patience than anyone alive! I am the guy that everyone thinks is rich but I am far from it. I buy horrible wrecks of things and rebuild them to a level that makes the untrained eye think is brand new. My house was a complete gut job. That is the only reason I can afford to live in the area that I do on 3 acres. Hell the first night my wife and I lived here we couldnt figure out what kept us awake more, the mice in the attic or the water dripping from the ceiling Needless to say the 2nd day I lived here the roof came off, then the next few months the house was gutted to its studs and rebuilt with 23,000$ and all my own labor. Now, my house is worth 3x what I paid for it and the pride is somthing that cant be bought. Same goes with my boat, motorcycle, jeep, truck and even my 08 civic that I couldnt wait 3 days without tearing apart to make is bigger better faster...like I said though I believe it is genetic. People tell me my father is the exactly the same way.

I would LOVE to build my own house, (aside from an architecture degree). Here in Cali you can't just build your own house in a tract home neighborhood haha. All the places here I would want to own a home are tract home. If I were to move somewhere that I could have 5-6 acres of land and build my own house it sure wouldn't be in cali.

 

[notsunkyet]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

sounds like you guys cant do much of anything in Cali without someone getting bent over it..... i own an acre in a subdivision in Texas and everyone pretty much does what they please... if the want a 40x50 shop ya put one up.. even the HOa is easy to deal with..... i will tell ya though it is SOOOOOOOO nice looking at you nearest neighbor a half acre away.. ill never do the tract house thing again....i think ive become clausterphobic

 

[greatoutdoors]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

Here's how it goes for me. It's the curiousity of how things work, the work that goes into any project is a blast. Then you have the gratification of looking at something you have done after it's finished and being able to say, "I did that"! I always have some kind of project going on. My wife is amazing, but was the type of person that would call a plumber to fix a leaky faucet before she met me. We bought our home in 2006. It really needed nothing, but I decided I wanted to do some work on it. I told her I was going to put recessed shelving in the living room to save some space, and she had a panic attack and went off on me. Until it was done. Then she apologized. But she still didn't have faith in me that I could fix or build pretty much anything because I didn't have the proper "education and training". Whatever. Then told her I was redoing the hardwood floors and she had another fit. They turned out great but she still had no faith in me. Next was radiator covers--that she loves. Finally got her convinced on the work around the house, but when it came time for her car to have the brakes replaced we got in a fight because she wanted me to take it to a mechanic. Well I ended up doing those, and a few months later, replacing the transmission in my car. Then I started with the boats a few years ago. Bought and old hunk of tin and turned it in to a beauty. She was really proud of me and amazed at the end product. Now, it's "Baby, when are you going to finish the basement, I'd love to have more living space"? And "Why don't you put a deck on the side of the house"? "You could turn the attic into a play room for the boys, it would be so nice." That's what it's about for me--the gratification it brings when I can make someone else realize that all it takes is a little work, common sense, and confidence in yourself to get things done.

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

I have a similar story to the rest of you guys. It's about making something with my hands. Solving problems by not just throwing money at them.

I was raised middle class, at best. My father was a mason in the steel mill. Laying heavy brick under unimaginable conditions. Hot ladles, unheated steel buildings. In the winter, one day frost bite would be a concern, the next, you had to worry about heat stroke. After 30 years, he moved to the carpentry in the same mill. Our family came here from Italy with nothing. So all my uncles had to learn to do things for themselves. It's just been passed down. I learned at a young age that if I wanted something, and couldn't afford to buy it, I could get it free or cheap by getting something someone else broke and fixing it myself. Got my first motorcycle from a family friend for Xmas when I was 5. Mowed lawns or whatever to pay for the rest myself. I could rebuilt the 2 stroke motor on my YZ80 when I was 11-12. And if it broke, dad wasn't going to take it to the shop to pay someone else to fix it. And as handy as he is, motors aren't his thing. So I had to teach myself. Learn by making mistakes.

I grew up and had different jobs. None were more enjoyable or came more naturally to me than being a motorcycle mechanic at a large dealership. Later became a service manager at a different dealership. Motorcycle techs don't make much money. So if I wanted a bike, I'd buy a wreck and fix it up. Only last year, at the age of 33 did I buy a "new" bike. My first one ever. Of the 7 I have. All are either full rebuilds, or total restorations, except the new one.

Boats are much the same way. As a teenager, I wanted a boat and couldn't afford one. Luckily, dad had one he used to use, but it hadn't run in a while. So I had to drag it out and teach myself how to fix an ancient Johnson 115 outboard. I had to learn how to replace boat carpet and seats. No one to teach me. So do it myself. Make lots of mistakes. Do it again.

My most recent boat is the 67 Johnson Surfer I've posted about. I could have bought a much newer and nicer boat. I'm laid off, and not wealthy, but I do ok with side jobs. I could easily afford a fairly new used boat without financing. But people like us aren't wired like that. I own old stuff due to financial reasons, but if I was a millionaire tomorrow I may buy a nice new boat. But I know I'd still have my ugly old Johnson. Old stuff that you keep running is just cool. Sure it's great to hit the key and go. But it's even better when you hit the key and it doesn't go. But you don't have to freak because you've touched every nut and bolt on the machine and know exactly how to get it moving. I live for that.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

The completely strange thing is when your sad that the project is over. Been tearing apart and putting back together my boat for a few months now. Going to put it in the water tommorow. Wondering what the heck am I gonna do all winter if this thing works perfect? I learned how to paint on this job so maybe I'll try the motorcycle. I usually have to give my wife a few months between hauling home loads of c**p. Then I get it fixed up, sell it and don't make any money and go get something else.

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

After reading everyone's reply on this thread, I don't the title should be 'Why are we different from other folks?'. Instead should be 'Why we are different from other folks.'

 

[lakelover]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

I've sometimes wondered the same thing. I think it's genetic.

My grandfather on my mother's side was basically a self-taught "engineer" and machinist, born in England and emigrated to the US at age two and lived here all his life. He enlisted in the army, eventually attained the rank of colonel, and worked in the Army arsenal in Watervliet, NY, making canons in WWII. While there, he invented a device that was able to measure the bore of canons to ensure accuracy and consistency for quality control. I only knew him for 6 years, but he was always inventing little geegaws and gadgets for around the house. He was also an avid photographer, muzzle loader enthusiast, and the local town historian and wrote two books; one a town history, the other on the Naval battles of Lake Champlain. Always curious, a family story tells of how he jumped off a bridge as a boy with an umbrella to see if it would work like a parachute, and broke his nose landing.

My father's fix-it-up mindset was a little less sophisticated, probably spawned from a degree of poverty, but he was rarely seen without a tool or roll of wire or duct tape in his hand, and was always inventing little things for around the house to make his life easier. He was the guy with taped up shoes and work gloves that should have been thrown out months ago. In a way, I'm like that, when I'm done with something, nobody wants it.

So from somewhere in that mix of stew, I come from. I guess it's a combination of curiosity and the challenge that no mechanical thing will get the best of me. But when it does, I admit it, and try to adapt. I love getting something for nothing or near that and making it into something that is useful and will last a lot longer. If you learn from mistakes, I must be getting pretty smart!

BTW, I just found this thread, it's great!

 

[mrlassi1]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

This thread was unexpected - but good (and appreciated). I'm like the rest of you. I grew up watching my dad tear into things and repair them himself. Worst case he'd say is that he'd have to pay someone to put it back together. From my first Honda 50 motorcycle project to my latest AMF Crestliner boat restoration - I live for a "project". I've had a career working in marketing for a large corporation, it's been good - but does nothing to satisfy my mechnical curiosity and need to see the tangible results of my labor. Iboats was new to me. Already I've learned from the experiences and knowlege of other Iboat members. Most recently, about epoxy instead of polyester resin for large projects.

More to come.

 

[chrishayes]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

My grandfather was a lousy fixit guy but he was my dad and raised me. He tried but for a person that had 10 brothers and sisters he had to fix things as there was no way he would get a new one. So, when I was 13 he brought home 3 mopeds of basically the same design. Not one of them worked. Gee thanks gramps Well, thats where it started for me. I would lie awake at night thinking of how f ing cool it was gonna be when I was 14 and could get my moped license and cruise around. Then I realized after a month of my gramps doing nothing to fix these things I asked him about it. "are you going to take these to a mechanic to fix?" Nope, but all the parts are out there, go make one work. So, I did. Cant believe I did but after doing it there was no better feeling than hoping on that thing to ride to school in the morning when it was 20 degrees out!

It had a drive belt that kept tearing up cause I used a gear from the wrong bike so it would fray a little each day. I had 3 of them and no one made a replacement. SO this bike had a life span that was finite...on the last belt it got to about 1/4" of material left and I was just about to turn 16 and figured I would get a car soon so I drove the thing off hayden run falls! Left it at the bottom. It was fitting.

Since then I have lied awake at night thinking of how cool it will be when one day I am done with whatever project I am working on is done! Its nice to feel like a kid Hell, I dont even really like boating that much, I am ADHD and OCD so I get bored quickly when out doing circles on the lake...But the dream insures that I finish.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

I guess my being this way is from heredity, Dad & Grandpa both raised on the farm... either fix it, create something that will work or do with-out... it's called the McGyver gene isn't it?

 

[i386]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

I need to do technically challenging things or I'll go nuts. It's not always boats. You can bet I'm either working on something or scheming about what I want to work on/build next.

Future projects I'm scheming about:

Finishing the Crosby
Starting on the Chris Craft
Finish building a woodworking shop
Building a boat from scratch
Building electric guitars
Building more tube guitar amplifiers and effects
Building a camper

I just turned 40 this month. I better get busy.

 

[thrillhouse700]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

I find the vast amount of information and knowledge available on the web intriguing. When I built my first bicycle when I was 13-14 I didn't know what the internet was. Just started fitting parts together. I had a bearing or two in backwards and had to replace them .

My pops was a turkey farmer in Hemet, Ca. As someone mentioned above, he used to tell me back in the day he would make his own head gaskets for farm equipment out of thick cardboard, they had to make do with what they had.
To this day I still call him up and ask him how he would do certain somethings.