Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT London Calling. An ordinary life.

[zanyad]

Congrats!

 

[captain14]

Congrats on the pending sale and retirement. It’s been almost 4 years for me.

How many of your mates have you told? Any chance they will give you a call to give them a hand with one of their jobs?

Last question about the painted box sashes. Do you paint the majority of the frame then flip it over after it dries to finish or do you hang the projects and do all the painting at once?

When I had wood storm windows, I would hang 5 at a time in the garage and paint everything.

 

[sawduststeve]

Best wishes for the next chapter of your life. I'm 15 years into retirement and yet to find anything about it I don't like. Don't know how I had time to go to work.

Thanks
15 yrs is great, may you have many more.
I think you’re right, there’s gonna be plenty to keep me busy.

 

[sawduststeve]

Congratulations!! I retired in 2021 and have never regretted it. Enjoy it you’ve worked hard on all these buildings you’ve shared pictures on. I hope someone has apprenticed under you and can transfer your talent into the next generation.

Thanks
It’s going to be difficult at first, I think.
No apprentices for the last few years, but we did have many guys start with us back in the day, and I occasionally bump into them, here and there.
It’s been more fun than not, but I wouldn’t inflict it on family.

 

[sawduststeve]

probably the best way to do it, good luck with the sale (hope it doesn't drag out too long...) and the next chapter of your life.
i'm hopeful that there will be enough upgrades/repairs to do on the Broads that I'll be able to follow your posts for years (no pressure )

I been thinking/ talking about stopping for maybe 3 or 4 years, half heartedly.
After 45 years my wife did a retire and return, now part time, with the NHS, took a lump sum and a decent pension.
The workshop has gone up 10 fold and our dearly departed aunt was worth way more than anyone thought, and the rentals are doing well.
So all combined by April next year, we’ll be good to go.

Perhaps a new business on The Broads, with the tools in a boat. Old Man and the River.

 

[sawduststeve]

-Will miss seeing your projects. Most of my working career was spent in metalworking so I appreciated seeing professional grade woodworking for buildings that also require aesthetics. As an American (a colonial?) I also liked seeing how an ordinary life in the UK looks from the building types and the surrounding countryside, I've only seen Heathrow. I've been retired for 3 years now and congratulate you on crossing the finish line. Good luck on the next chapter, thanks for posting this thread.

Thanks mate.
Yeah. there’s plenty more to see than Heathrow.
You’ve got nothing to do now your retired
Come on over
Wood is way more forgiving than metal and you can burn all your mistakes.

 

[sawduststeve]

Awesome news, though I will miss seeing your work. Congrats, and enjoy the new career!!

Congrats!

Thanks guys.
We’ll see how things go, you never know I might end up renting a small workshop.

 

[f121]

I been thinking/ talking about stopping for maybe 3 or 4 years, half heartedly.
After 45 years my wife did a retire and return, now part time, with the NHS, took a lump sum and a decent pension.
The workshop has gone up 10 fold and our dearly departed aunt was worth way more than anyone thought, and the rentals are doing well.

You’ll be able to buy a bigger boat!

 

[sawduststeve]

Congrats on the pending sale and retirement. It’s been almost 4 years for me.

How many of your mates have you told? Any chance they will give you a call to give them a hand with one of their jobs?

Last question about the painted box sashes. Do you paint the majority of the frame then flip it over after it dries to finish or do you hang the projects and do all the painting at once?

When I had wood storm windows, I would hang 5 at a time in the garage and paint everything.

Thanks
4 years feels like just enough to have relaxed into it, hope your enjoying your days.
Not many to tell really but have put the fear of god up a couple of returning customers. They’re the reason we’re not packing up till April.
Two jobs too good to refuse.

The back of the boxes aren’t painted so l lay them on their sides paint all you can, them flip them over and paint the rest. It’s the same for most all windows.

 

[sawduststeve]

You’ll be able to buy a bigger boat!

Haven’t got the hang of the one I’ve got yet.

 

[sawduststeve]

Sashes made and trimmed to fit.
Glass has been ordered and when delivered sashes and glass will be weighed and lead weights ordered



Because I’ve not enough going on, I’ve been commissioned to cut some barge boards.
Template approved
Sample approved
First one cut.

Just what I need. Unpaid weekend work.

 

[Old tool guy]

I can see into the future. Your floaty neighbors will learn your history and skills, and you will have a whole neighborhood to upgrade.

 

[Bob Heine]

I'm 15 years into retirement and yet to find anything about it I don't like.

Geoff, I'm 31 years into my first retirement and 26 into my second (age 50 & 55). I only wish I retired sooner. I'm still working on projects I started 41 years ago.

 

[Bob Heine]

Steve, wonderful news and now with all your free time, we can expect more posts of the honey-do projects. You say detached bedroom but I see small workshop. Then again, it's not Sawduststeve ground zero, just a little getaway/rental unit.

 

[Geoff289]

Geoff, I'm 31 years into my first retirement and 26 into my second (age 50 & 55). I only wish I retired sooner. I'm still working on projects I started 41 years ago.

On balance I think he's doing the right thing, but Steve should have his eyes open about the extent of the commitment involved.

Retirement is a 7 day a week commitment. You don't get the weekends off, when everyone else is relaxing you still have to be retired on Saturdays and Sundays, there is no annual leave/vacation from being retired, when everyone else gets a day off on public holidays off you still have to be retired, and if you wake up feeling a bit crook you can't ring up and take what we call a sickie (sick leave), you have to be retired even if you're feeling a bit under the weather.

 

[Grizz1963]

If you keep busy, retirement is the best thing ever.

Well earned , well done.

 

[Denwood]

Something tells me your retirement may not look that different from your daily working...ha. Congrats and enjoy. I was in the same boat a few years back (sold my business, building etc.) and one thing that I was not expecting is the process of seperating the work life from who I was as a person. Many of us equate who we are, with what we do. It took a year or two to normalize in a process that I would equate to losing a loved one. Just a heads up in case it proves helpful!

My 90 Westfalia was nowhere near as cool as your bus, but everytime I see this thread I miss mine!

 

[Prospecter]

Something tells me your retirement may not look that different from your daily working...ha. Congrats and enjoy. I was in the same boat a few years back (sold my business, building etc.) and one thing that I was not expecting is the process of seperating the work life from who I was as a person. Many of us equate who we are, with what we do. It took a year or two to normalize in a process that I would equate to losing a loved one. Just a heads up in case it proves helpful!

I think of retirement as a new job. It always seems to take me 3 years to get the new job right. Also true of retirement.

 

[Denwood]

Sorry @sawduststeve , posted in this thread in error, deleted as much as I could

 

[sawduststeve]

Thursday night was the 3rd meeting of the
GJ United Nations Hands Across The Pond Supper club or GJUNHATPSC for short.
Both members showed up with a one night only honorary member from Berlin.
We ate and talked here

The Dickens Inn | Historic London Tavern Pub - St Katharine Docks

Visit The Dickens Inn, a historic pub and bar offering a unique experience right in the heart of St Katharine Docks.

www.dickensinn.co.uk

Nice pub in a fantastic location, on the Thames marina within sight of Tower Bridge.
The restaurant is a little soulless but the food and conversation was great, so it’s all good.

Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

All done 158ft of cut barge boards.
We were originally just going to put the shaped boards in the most prominent spots, but having bought all of the boards, I was agreed that I might as well cut it all.

Now just a quick sanding on the edges and two coats of white.
That’ll be next weekends unpaid work.

Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

I can see into the future. Your floaty neighbors will learn your history and skills, and you will have a whole neighborhood to upgrade.

You never know, a whole new chapter might open up in front of me. Judging by the prices I’m getting it wouldn’t be difficult to be cheaper than the locals.
A company name board is going to nailed to the fence soon enough. It’ll be very interesting if I get any calls.

Steve

 

[Old tool guy]

Looks like the top edges are rounded over.

 

[sawduststeve]

Steve, wonderful news and now with all your free time, we can expect more posts of the honey-do projects. You say detached bedroom but I see small workshop. Then again, it's not Sawduststeve ground zero, just a little getaway/rental unit.

Thanks Bob
Way in front of you my friend, the back of the Boatshed 17ft x 20ft is plenty big enough for a
project shop.
And don’t tell anyone but I recon I can sweep the sawdust straight into the water.

Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

Looks like the top edges are rounded over.

Well spotted, they are.
It is an 8” (195 x 27) hardwood window board and comes rounded over. I kept the rounded over edge and put it to the top, thinking that if it ever gets wet the water won’t be able to sit there rotting things and will just run down and off at the bottom.

Steve

 

[DeeDubz]

Awesome new Steve! hope everything falls into place for you and your family. Im sure you'll still have things to post on here.

 

[sawduststeve]

Awesome new Steve! hope everything falls into place for you and your family. Im sure you'll still have things to post on here.

Thanks mate
I’m hoping to stick around for a while longer, there’s gonna be things to post I’m sure.

Steve

 

[NakeDiesel]

Thursday night was the 3rd meeting of the
GJ United Nations Hands Across The Pond Supper club or GJUNHATPSC for short.
Both members showed up with a one night only honorary member from Berlin.
We ate and talked here

The Dickens Inn | Historic London Tavern Pub - St Katharine Docks

Visit The Dickens Inn, a historic pub and bar offering a unique experience right in the heart of St Katharine Docks.

www.dickensinn.co.uk

Nice pub in a fantastic location, on the Thames marina within sight of Tower Bridge.
The restaurant is a little soulless but the food and conversation was great, so it’s all good.

Steve

Reminds me of the he man woman haters club on the little rascals... Guess we need a secret handshake now.



Great night chatting. Made it up at 4am and landed last night all on time. Great catching up with you.

 

[Denwood]

My daughter is in York as I type this...I'll send her in as a proxy, maybe a day late from the looks of it.

158 ft of cutting on a jigsaw...wow.

 

[sawduststeve]

My daughter is in York as I type this...I'll send her in as a proxy, maybe a day late from the looks of it.

158 ft of cutting on a jigsaw...wow.

4 hours on the jigsaw. Cups of tea slow me considerably

 

[sawduststeve]

If you keep busy, retirement is the best thing ever.

Well earned , well done.

Yeah thanks, but maybe not your busy, eh.
I’m thinking washing and polishing not nut and bolt rebuilds

Cheers Rian.

 

[sawduststeve]

Something tells me your retirement may not look that different from your daily working...ha. Congrats and enjoy. I was in the same boat a few years back (sold my business, building etc.) and one thing that I was not expecting is the process of seperating the work life from who I was as a person. Many of us equate who we are, with what we do. It took a year or two to normalize in a process that I would equate to losing a loved one. Just a heads up in case it proves helpful!

My 90 Westfalia was nowhere near as cool as your bus, but everytime I see this thread I miss mine!

Ha, thanks Denwood I recon you might just be right, the retirement may look very similar to daily working. I can deal with that.
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head( pun intended) with your comment. That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking/feeling.
I’ve been very lucky, I’ve had 45 years in the same job, 40 in the same workplace. I can honestly say that I’ve never not wanted to go to work and that during hard times it’s also been a sanctuary,
There is a small amount of pride in being a tradie
I’ll have to see how it feels being an ex- tradie.

That’s a cool westie, I bet it has all mod cons like
heating, and decent mpg. Ours was a ‘76 Cali import


Cheers
Steve

 

[Bob Heine]

There is a small amount of pride in being a tradie

Steve, tradies deserve the highest praise. AI may replace a lot of keyboard jockeys but those who can pick up a tool and know how to use it will never be out of work. Just ask ChatGPT to unclog a toilet and see what happens.

 

[Denwood]

Ha, thanks Denwood I recon you might just be right, the retirement may look very similar to daily working. I can deal with that.
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head( pun intended) with your comment. That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking/feeling.
I’ve been very lucky, I’ve had 45 years in the same job, 40 in the same workplace. I can honestly say that I’ve never not wanted to go to work and that during hard times it’s also been a sanctuary,
There is a small amount of pride in being a tradie
I’ll have to see how it feels being an ex- tradie.

That’s a cool westie, I bet it has all mod cons like
heating, and decent mpg. Ours was a ‘76 Cali import


Cheers
Steve

@Bob Heine , you’re right. Trades at least for now have better job security vs white collar in the AI wave to come.

Steve, one of the recommendations a financial YT’er made, which I consider very sage advice, was questioning “What am I retiring to?”. This might be the essential question to sort before even the financial bits are factored in. It took me about 18 months to get my head straight and move onto the next “life” which at least for now does not include retirement . Need to get both kiddos past post secondary first.

The older westies like yours are the epitome of cool. My 90 Westfalia was a real project! I did an Audi inline 4 with about 150hp in the van, lots of other mods as well. Did the paint myself as well as all mechanical. 0-60 was about 14 seconds vs stock 23! It got up to 29mpg driven sanely on the highway and had a rebuilt and working AC system to boot. I miss it.

Here’s the video I shot to sell it, 11 years ago:

 

[Trapps]

Congrats, Steve! All the best on your next chapter!

 

[sawduststeve]

Retirement is a 7 day a week commitment. You don't get the weekends off, when everyone else is relaxing you still have to be retired on Saturdays and Sundays, there is no annual leave/vacation from being retired, when everyone else gets a day off on public holidays off you still have to be retired, and if you wake up feeling a bit crook you can't ring up and take what we call a sickie (sick leave), you have to be retired even if you're feeling a bit under the weather.

Geoff,
Thanks for the advice it’s much appreciated
I’ll have to check with the New Boss if she intends to honour my old contract.
I normally have 2 weeks off for Xmas, Easter and Summer with all bank holidays and a couple extras thrown in, 8-9 weeks total, if she doesn’t it could be a deal breaker.
Also if I can drive the girl child to school in my PJ’s and dressing gown, return home and have at least another hour in bed.

All these serious issues have to be thought about, thanks for the heads up.

Steve

 

[roger440]

Congratulations. Both the sale and retirement.

Everyone wants to sell their business. Most dont succeed. Someone has to want to buy it. So an excellent result.

Something tells me this wont be a sitting around kind of retirement though.

I sold the business back in '21, but stayed on to run it, but dropped to two days a week this year. And another year of that before I stop.

Im not really in a position to offer my thoughts, but, whilst its been great so far, even though ive not stopped yet, it certainly requires a mindset change, not least financially. I wouldnt say im there yet. But i am as busy as ever. Which i think is the most important part.

All the best with it. And the floaty project too.

 

[sawduststeve]

Congratulations. Both the sale and retirement.

Everyone wants to sell their business. Most dont succeed. Someone has to want to buy it. So an excellent result.

Something tells me this wont be a sitting around kind of retirement though.

I sold the business back in '21, but stayed on to run it, but dropped to two days a week this year. And another year of that before I stop.

Im not really in a position to offer my thoughts, but, whilst its been great so far, even though ive not stopped yet, it certainly requires a mindset change, not least financially. I wouldnt say im there yet. But i am as busy as ever. Which i think is the most important part.

All the best with it. And the floaty project too.

Thanks Roger

We’ve sold the building, its freehold, one of only five on the estate. The business is just ceasing to trade. It’s got to the stage where I don’t know what is most knackered the machinery or me.
I think It’s me.
I’m going to miss the space to do this


In all honesty I haven’t given what to do after work much thought just that it’s all a bit too heavy and dirty and after 45 yrs the time feels right to pack up. Then surprise surprise Floaty hoves into view. There’ll always be something to do.

Did you invest in R9 ?

Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

Hands up anyone who can spot the five grands worth of oak
There it is, with the blue ends, hiding in the rack

Enough for three doors, two door frames and some T&G panelling

The single door and frame first up.

Solid 45mm, loose tongue up the middles, tenoned
top and bottom. Small chamfer all round.

All together and in the frame with the fittings


First coat of Osmo clear oil


In case you’re wondering, the door along weighs in at 78kg, 172lb.

Steve

 

[Prospecter]

In all honesty I haven’t given what to do after work much thought just that it’s all a bit too heavy and dirty and after 45 yrs the time feels right to pack up. Then surprise surprise Floaty hoves into view. There’ll always be something to do.

My "Plan" is to fix stuff that is broken for family. After 6 years, I still have lots to do, and could do it seven days a week if I wanted. So I think you've given all the thought necessary for your plan.