Has your age finally got you stopped????

[ishiboo]

Having been a Jack of all trades since my teens, I finally closed the shop, sold most of my shop tools, and gave into the wife to live in the city.
No more rebuilding wrecks, no more building trailers and repairing others.
No more tractors to tear down to put a clutch in or replace the internal brakes. No more greasy clothes to wash.
My back cannot take the heavy lifting anymore. My eyes cannot follow the weld crack that I have done so much of.
No more going into a cold shop on a winter morning to build a fire.
Recently I bought back my Oxy-Acetlene torch that I bought 50 years ago.
It sits in the garage, tucked away in the corner. It beckons me to fire it up and use it, but I have no need for it. It is just a reminder of times past.
Awwww! It looks like the second seventy years will not be as easy as the first 70.
As I sit looking out the window, the cars pass by unknowing that the old geezer that is watching them has seen so much and misses the old days with a passion.
A friend once said that good mechanics never dies, they just fade away.
Does this remind you of yourself? If not now, it will sooner or later. For sure sooner!
Geesh, I love this forum, is brings to lite things from the past and stirs so many memories.
Been there and done that, let it be known with a note here, I'm listening, maybe others too!

I'm only 26, but I've learned a lot during that time. Through life's trials and tribulations it's become obvious that if you allow yourself to fit into a category, like "too old" to do things, or let your age alone stop you from doing the things you enjoy doing, you've lost.

Life is far to short to spend time worrying, focusing on the hard times, the hard times to come or anything else. Spend your time enjoying yourself and helping others enjoy themselves. There are always people with more to complain about than yourself, and it'd be arrogant of any of us, as well as a waste of the most precious thing we have, not to make the best of what we have.

Don't worry about what others think if you; it's irrelevant. Don't worry about saving money to pass on - you worked for it, it's yours. Don't blow it worthlessly but if you need to spend it to enjoy life - do so.

It's up to you to find things you enjoy doing with whatever your capabilities are now. There's plenty of time to waste on the Internet

Like it or not, for many of us things were better in the old days - reliving them can be the most fun you'll ever have... but don't dwell on the things you can't recreate. Personally, I've found it rewarding to have a good collection of the music I like and add to it as I see fit. (My music era actually ended right about the time I was born, as well, so there are plenty of LPs and fun stuff to find.)

Whatever you do - do not let it beat you.

 

[electrodude]

I'm 41 and staring down the barrel at having a big chunk of me cut off here pretty soon... and all I can think about is what kind of cool *** leg I can build in my garage to scare the kiddles with! My gramps is 81, he still gets his *** out of bed everyday before the sun has even hit the other coast, eats his granola, makes some coffee, and heads out into the woods to run a Cat... maybe the size and type of your toys has changed, but that doesn't mean you have to feel like anything is over... I could piss and moan that I'm on disability and they're gonna piece me out like a balled up log truck, but **** 'em, I'm gonna do what I want, when I want, and nothing is going to stop me.

My plan is to build some kind of shed/garage/shelter off the end of the house this year, build my own lathe (ala Dave Gingery) and learn how to machine stuff.

What's your plan?

 

[ishiboo]

I'm 41 and staring down the barrel at having a big chunk of me cut off here pretty soon... and all I can think about is what kind of cool *** leg I can build in my garage to scare the kiddles with! My gramps is 81, he still gets his *** out of bed everyday before the sun has even hit the other coast, eats his granola, makes some coffee, and heads out into the woods to run a Cat... maybe the size and type of your toys has changed, but that doesn't mean you have to feel like anything is over... I could piss and moan that I'm on disability and they're gonna piece me out like a balled up log truck, but **** 'em, I'm gonna do what I want, when I want, and nothing is going to stop me.

My plan is to build some kind of shed/garage/shelter off the end of the house this year, build my own lathe (ala Dave Gingery) and learn how to machine stuff.

What's your plan?

Bingo!

All the best.

 

[jvitez]

My dad was a curious, adaptable home handyman. His motto was always to try and fix something, because if it was broken already he could only make it better, not worse. I grew up watching him think his way through problems, use experience, skill, and curiosity to accomplish so much. He died far too young at 63, and I was only 24. I miss him, especially as I see my now 12 year old son growing and maturing. I so wish I could have my dad around now to learn from his wisdom, and teach my son, too.

Maybe your kids or grandkids aren't that interested, but someone, somewhere close to you wants exactly what you have to offer! Don't give up! Great ideas have been given so far about teaching, volunteering, setting up a home small business. You are not useless unless you let yourself become so! A lifetime of experience is rattling around in your head waiting to be transmitted to the next generation.

Please accept my apology if I am too bold here, but are you regretting moving into town and changing your lifestyle to such a large degree? Maybe you can't go back, but you can go forward! Keep your mind and spirit active and your body with follow. Your brain is a muscle: use it or lose it. Don't give up!!

 

[mustangmccance]

I'm 44 my dad is 64 he is still the smartest guy I know when it comes to most anything useful. I finally got my dad to move to the same town as me 3 years ago and he is my best friend. yes he is on disability and is retired he doesn't have much stamina and can't get under cars anymore, but when I have a project he is the first person I call. he is always available to at least give advice when I need it, (or even if I don't lol) and I value his advice and help more than I can say. but seriously do you have family close by? if not I suggest joining some local clubs and let people know you are retired and anxious to do small projects with people. there are a lot of people like me who don't like to call and ask for help because we don't want to bother anyone. so we do stuff by ourselves that would be easier with two. If you were to let people know that not only do you know how to do stuff and are willing to help but that you would enjoy the opportunity to use your skills my guess is there are lots of people who could use that help.

 

[e-tek]

I'm 44 my dad is 64 he is still the smartest guy I know when it comes to most anything useful. I finally got my dad to move to the same town as me 3 years ago and he is my best friend. yes he is on disability and is retired he doesn't have much stamina and can't get under cars anymore, but when I have a project he is the first person I call. he is always available to at least give advice when I need it, (or even if I don't lol) and I value his advice and help more than I can say.
.

Nice. I hope my son turns out like you.

 

[MScott]

Awwww! It looks like the second seventy years will not be as easy as the first 70.

Hell, ToolLover, I'll be turning 70 next year and I'm just getting started. I recently purchased a Rotary lift and will be building a garage around it next spring. I have no intention of slowing down until they have to carry me out on a slab. Age is just a number. It doesn't stop you from living. If you can't lift, there are tools to help. As others have mentioned, some people carry on while stuck in a wheel chair. Keep excercizing your body and your mind ....remember, if you don't use it you will lose it.

Sounds like you might have given in to the wife too early.

 

[onewaydave]

Toollover if you were just a wee bit closer, I'd be over every few days to haul your a$$ over to supervise. I'm slowing down a bit too but I have found that the issue is controlling the frustration ofnot being able to do something I've done thousnads of times in the past. I'm at the stage of having to reinvent the wheel to figure ways to work around those problems.

Ditto on what everyone above has said. Chime in here, we want to hear from you.

Dave.

 

[Greatbear]

Not quite old enough to give it up quite yet, but a string of serious injuries and spine surgery put me out of commission for a while, I am slowly getting back into the groove. While laid up (and with tons of sudden free time) I tackled little projects and created some to keep my mind and hands busy. While unable to use my arsenal of tools, I took the time to do some much needed maintenance and TLC on the tools themselves. Everything gets cleaned, power tools disassembled, cleaned and lubed, same with ratchets, sawdust cleaned out of tool kitboxes, sharpening of cutting tools, etc, you get the idea. It's been a relaxing set of tasks, being able to appreciate the tools for what they are and to "pay them back" for their years/decades of faithful service. I've essentially been getting everything ready for the times when I am finally free from my health-related restrictions and can resume my more "intense" work.

There will come a day when I will be unable to use some of the tools of my craft, but I intend to make good use of my time till then.

 

[justin85]

Am I the only person in here under 30?

Nope

 

[Les Brock]

All that knowlege and no one interested in taking it all in, That just makes me sad....!!!

What is it with youngsters, I'd would have much rather been up to my elbows in oil that sat in front of a games consol !

 

[darkk]

Well, I'm 64 and recently retired because my employer finally close the shop I worked at. I am a body man fabricator with almost 50 years experience. because of my age...you guessed it, no way I could find another job. So here I sit reading on these types of forums most of the day. On the bright side, the youngest of my 4 sons has decided he wants to build a car and learn how to weld/fabricate. The down side is my poor old tired body has had enough. I hope I can teach him enough in my remaining time to pass on a dying trade. Most older guys in this trade are considered dinosaurs, no one does lead or pick and file work anymore. Most just replace parts. The trade has splintered into specialties. One guy replaces parts, some one else does the frame work, another paints etc etc. What ever happened to the do-it-all tradesman? Every one thinks they are irreplacable, a bunch of prima donnas....

 

[Raze]

Am I the only person in here under 30?

Nope.

 

[Fueler]

Most older guys in this trade are considered dinosaurs, no one does lead or pick and file work anymore. Most just replace parts.

You sound like the perfect guy for a custom shop working on lead sleds and Hot Rods, etc.

 

[Raze]

What is it with youngsters, I'd would have much rather been up to my elbows in oil that sat in front of a games consol !

Some of us are, but not the majority. It's odd because I'm an Aerospace Engineer working on software development. When I was younger all I wanted to do was play computer games, make websites, 'play' on the computer like most people do now. After college I removed my Facebook page (back then it was theFacebook ) and I went from building computers and being super-gadget-gizmo guy to not caring at all. Now all I want to do is work on my track car, restore my Fiat, work on my yard, ANYTHING but 'play' on a computer. I'm convinced life wasn't meant to be lived inside a digital box, and as someone who does just that for a living, I'm convinced of it more and more.

I really wish there were some old-timers around me who worked on their cars and wanted a hand, if for no other reason to learn and enjoy a past-time together. Hell, some people fish, some hunt, I like to fiddle with cars....

 

[stingry]

Hell, ToolLover, I'll be turning 70 next year and I'm just getting started. I recently purchased a Rotary lift and will be building a garage around it next spring. I have no intention of slowing down until they have to carry me out on a slab. Age is just a number. It doesn't stop you from living. If you can't lift, there are tools to help. As others have mentioned, some people carry on while stuck in a wheel chair. Keep excercizing your body and your mind ....remember, if you don't use it you will lose it.

Sounds like you might have given in to the wife too early.

WELL STATED!!!!! My thoughts exactly! I have a friend who is early 70's and is finishing up his 40 Ford street rod. We call him the "RODFATHER"! He grew up building HotRods and never quit. What a wealth of information!


Cheers
Steve

 

[bczygan]

Some of us are, but not the majority. It's odd because I'm an Aerospace Engineer working on software development. When I was younger all I wanted to do was play computer games, make websites, 'play' on the computer like most people do now. After college I removed my Facebook page (back then it was theFacebook ) and I went from building computers and being super-gadget-gizmo guy to not caring at all. Now all I want to do is work on my track car, restore my Fiat, work on my yard, ANYTHING but 'play' on a computer. I'm convinced life wasn't meant to be lived inside a digital box, and as someone who does just that for a living, I'm convinced of it more and more.

I really wish there were some old-timers around me who worked on their cars and wanted a hand, if for no other reason to learn and enjoy a past-time together. Hell, some people fish, some hunt, I like to fiddle with cars....

A lot of "office rats" later want to be "shop rats". I worked on a drafting board and am now very happy actually making things. On the board, everything is conceptual and perfect. On the workbench, everything is real and imperfect. The best part is that what you make is real! You made it! The power to conceive of an idea and then translate that design from raw materials and supplies into reality is very addicting. Your world becomes one full of possibilities, full of tools, full of materials and you are it's master (As long as you have money)!

 

[ToolLover]

Well, I guess every man has to know his limitations.
After all the years of learning, and doing, and thinking I was superman and could do anything, I finally got the message from my worn out body.
Scars from cuts, burns from welding, mashed fingers, nearly deaf from the loud noises, eyes burned from welding flashes, nearly being killed by a 35 pound hydraulic hose that knocked me out while being on the tractor.
One had to stop and think....When are you going to sit back and let it go.
I thought I would do that in 1997. I sold the farm, and bought a historic property in Old Salem in NC.
At that time a friend of mine said as he shook his head: "All that talent going to waste."
My thoughts were: Restoring that 200 year old house would take me out of the farm, the shop and all the work that went along with it. However; It was more like out of the pot and into the frying pan for the next 11 years as I would not settle for anything less than prefection in the restoration.
When that house sold I thought I was free at last.
I guess it never ends....but I now have this 1954 one level brick house in order after 2 years of repairs.
I deserve to sit back now and dream a little....you know, I am beginning to take a liking to having nothing to do and at the end of the day having it only half done.
No! I can't stop, I always want to lend a hand, only my back says: Easy! Easy! as it reminds me of all those heavy things superman would lift when he should have waited for help.
I think I'll write a book about the working Joe. There are so many of us that never get the recogonition we so richly deserve.....we are always handed something else to fix.
I can hold my head up and say: "I never ran away from a problem, I always ran to it!"
Dosen't it make you feel good when the wife says: "He can do anything."

 

[djd99]

Welcome go GJ ToolLover I'm 39 and bought my dads home and shop when he retired at age 60, He bought a nice little 2 bedroom 1 bath home on a 175 acre lake a hour and a half away. He spent the first 5 years making the place like he wanted turning it into a 3 bedroom 2 bath house.

Now he's 70 and built another 2 car garage so he would have more space to wrench in, They take rides all over and when he see's anything he thinks he can make a buck on he buy's it and drags it home. Also he loves the local scrapyard always bringing something home to fix.

His latest adventure is he brings home any garden tractor engine home for .30 a pound all or just parts. he'll completely restore the engine to like new condition and sell them for a pretty big profit. He sold 10 motors this last summer at $150 each and takes his buyers old engine in trade running or not doesn't matter.

The point is he gets stiff just sitting in his chair days on end so he needs to keep active to feel good. I've learned alot from and really consider him my best friend i make sure I talk to him every day(nextel) and he always has something to say. He taught me body work and how to fill lead.

I see so many kids growing up with no skill so here is where you can help, teach a young guy something is better than nothing as far as I'm concerned. Even if you have to buy cheap tools from harbor freight witch is all my dad uses by the way is most of the time all you need. Pick up something at the local scrap yard and just tinker away.

 

[swharris]

One of the forums that I visit has a section called "Machining With Disabilities". How lucky most of us are that we don't have to deal with that. Like others have said, it ain't over yet. There are lots of small things that still need to be repaired, teach someone a new skill, write up a post with pictures on how to do something. Don't give up until they close the lid on the "box".

2nd that!

Toollover, you can still walk...yes?? Still stand and motivate around? Make it to the bathroom and take care of yourself? Count yourself lucky, since many can't. Due to a spinal cord injury 4 years ago, my wife is now a quadriplegic. She still goes to work 4-5 days a week, takes care of the kids/house the best she can...in a chair but still goes and does. EVERY moment is a struggle to just hold herself up and keep moving forward, keep being productive and positive. All aspects of her life she has to struggle with. I can't comprehend how she does it, but she does.

Sack up and keep going. It is what life is all. That is harsh I know. Just do the best you can with what you have, like others have suggested.

Have faith in the youth and keep trying to expose them to your knowledge. I know it is hard. My 10 year old seems to care less about time with me spent in the garage(he's dreaming about video games I think), but I keep dragging him in there in the hopes that something will sink in..lol.

Good luck to you and I look forward to learning from your wealth of experience.

 

[bazzateer]

Am I the only person in here under 30?

Watch your lip Sonny! Time you were in bed!

 

[drmoonshine]

Hang in there old timer! You may not be as able to do the big stuff like you once did, but think of smaller stuff that you can handle. Lawn mowers, kids bikes etc. Head down to the thrift store and see if there is something that calls out to you, hey tinker with me! Keep that mind busy my friend....

Right here this is why it all pays off.

 

[dolfans]

Hey ToolLover How long have you lived in Winston? I am north of you in Mt Airy. I am just tje opposite of you. I am 40 with hardly any knowledge of the experience that you have. If i could go back in time to high school i would have got in to mechanics

 

[toolmiser]

I am 52 with a new baby and hope I have something to pass on to young people some day. I like woodworking, and tinkering with old cars. I remember when I was 23 I bought an old 49 chevy truck, and my retired Dad helped me get it on the road again (not a restoration). I was amazed at what he knew (and didn't realize he knew) about older vehicles and mechanics. He was a retired "heavy mechanic" from a John Deere industrial equipment plant. I thought I knew what he did, but didn't know he knew so much about other related things. We had to pull a rear axle to repair a leak, and he knew what to do and how to do it. I think as long as you are breathing, that the right person could benefit from your knowledge.

 

[thammel]

I'm 61 and intend to do all kinds of stuff until I die, which I hope to be well into my 90's!! I'm still finishing up the 2nd garage which will be used for car restoration in my retirement, if that every comes. So, age does not stop one. You need to stay in shape. It gets harder every year. Control your weight, don't smoke or do drugs and limit the alcohol. That way you can keep having fun!!
Tom