Some days you just have to stop

[niget2002]

Nothing I worked on in the shop went well today.

After switching projects a few times and things still not going well, I just decided to stop.

There's always tomorrow.

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[The Cobbler]

yup. tomorrow is another day, hopefully it goes better for you.

 

[denson]

exact

 

[CraigStu]

This is a good plan. I have also found that when trying to figure out how to do something, sometimes it is better to stop. A plan may hit me at 2AM which pi$$es me off cause that will be at least 2 hours of sleep lost. but a solution is better than none.

 

[unslow1]

I do the same thing.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

Better to stop, than wish you had.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I had planned on accomplishing great things today, too. Started out headed in the wrong direction. Slept late. Big, late breakfast. Spent the day on the couch on the computer researching new HVAC gauges, manifolds, core removal tools... At least I'm pretty sure I know what I'm going to get on Monday.

Binge watching Resident Alien now.

Tommy

 

[CombatNinja]

I feel you, bro. Better to cut it off than continue to work in frustration and do more harm than good.

 

[nadogail]

Sometimes it is best to cut your losses and regroup.

 

[Jswain]

I feel you, bro. Better to cut it off than continue to work in frustration and do more harm than good.

x10 sometimes it can be a big relief to finally just stop. The next day you go back in and sometimes things just go together or at least you go in knowing what a pain it is going to be

 

[kaymccampbell]

I get it, I couldn't even clean up today.

 

[p00p]

rather than do more damage, I just did the laundry. Also prepped dinner for a few days. went for a drive & walk to enjoy the 51F temp.

 

[ddawg16]

We did our taxes today....I'm getting back about $7K

Did the yard work.....

Then called it quits....I just know Murphy is waiting for the right moment

 

[joel63]

I had planned on accomplishing great things today, too. Started out headed in the wrong direction. Slept late. Big, late breakfast. Spent the day on the couch on the computer researching new HVAC gauges, manifolds, core removal tools... At least I'm pretty sure I know what I'm going to get on Monday.

Binge watching Resident Alien now.

Tommy

Looking for new HVAC tools.

Please give your recommendations.

 

[rayra]

I'm learning to do the same with power saws. A little late, a long work day, tired, unwell, whatever the cause, that's when I stop messing with powered cutting tools.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Looking for new HVAC tools.

Please give your recommendations.

I've used the Imperial 600 Series manifolds and low loss hoses for years (decades, actually). My current digital vacuum gauge is the first version of the Supco VG64 that has always worked OK, but never was anyting to get excited about. Now it leaks, so it has to go. My current core tools aren't vacuum rated, so I'm going to retire them. My hoses are just old, so they go too.

I'm looking at upgrading to a Testo Smart Vacuum four port wireless digital analyzer, Appion vacuum rated core tools and whatever hoses I can find that are low loss and vacuum rated. When I can add the Testo wireless pressure testers I'll use them and the temperature clamps from the other kit for regular system checks. Just pop them on the service ports, clip the temp sensors on the refrigerant lines and record operating pressures, superheat and subcooling on a tablet or smart phone. After I get the wireless pressure testers, I'll use the wireless analyzer for heavy diagnostics and evacuation and I'll keep my Imperial gauges as backups. It's not a cheap way to go, but everything I read about it is leading me to making the jump.



Tommy

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Yep agreed. I sometimes will take breaks and wait. Nothing more refreshing than getting a nice sleep and working on something tomorrow instead of hurting yourself or something because you are stuck or out of ideas or it’s just not your day.


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[gregs]

Agreed, sometimes your miles ahead if you just walk away from it for a day or two. Also a full moon tonight.

 

[gatewaysysop]

People often say the first step to getting out of a hole is to stop digging, and that's good advice to be sure. Unfortunately, most people can't easily accept that they're digging a hole, and the longer they've been invested, the less likely they are to throw in the towel.

 

[Gigem]

My most recent scar from not heeding this advice, even though I posted almost the exact same words here a few weeks ago. Stupid is as stupid does.

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[bargainhuntingking]

“Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone.” -Lin Yutang

 

[Dogmeat]

My most recent scar from not heeding this advice, even though I posted almost the exact same words here a few weeks ago. Stupid is as stupid does.

Dammit....U needz 2 "soak it inside er"

I know whatcha mean....I've had a few days of "stopping, regrouping and starting over" on my '79 Corvette......Recently finished changing the stock body-to-frame cushions and a new ****** shifter (4 speed) and getting a mahogany wood shift knob to match the wood steering wheel....looks MUCH better than the stock black chrome ball. Just a few light scratches, nuttin' very intense or painful.....this time!

 

[Rickster]

Yup, sometimes it pays to walk away or just sit down and have a good think. Run through a few different ideas and come up with a new plan.

 

[Frede162]

Interesting post. After many years I learned this....my issue was walking away with an incomplete goal. Maybe wrong tool or something unforeseen occurred, but upon getting back on track I'd rush trying to make up time. Rushing severely limits my vision, troubleshooting ability and technical thinking which leads to mistakes and additional delays and/or costs.

These days I'll remind myself of the unforeseen issues and bring pace back to normal....AND accept the goal won't be reached. 99.9% of the time after a good sleep the project falls together smoothly and quickly. If it does not, I have a fresh brain to plan a alternate direction.

 

[niget2002]

First project from yesterday done.

This was all supposed to be cut on the cnc yesterday, but the cnc was acting up.

Today I dropped to more manual tools.

Used the laser to burn the shapes, then cut by hand.

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[Alchase]

Nothing I worked on in the shop went well today.

After switching projects a few times and things still not going well, I just decided to stop.

There's always tomorrow.

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Apparently you are wiser then I!

On Saturday I was working on a under kitchen cabinet pulldown shelf, for USB charging (phones, earbuds, etc....) I put together the frame the night before and it looked perfect.
Sunday, as I was getting ready to glue the 1/8 in. ply floor on the bottom, My wife called to me in a panic about something, something, in the kitchen....

(should have taken your advise at this point)

1/2 hour later,
I go back out to my garage/shop, cut out nice floor piece, glued and nailed it in place, the set it up on dogs so the glue could dry over night.
This morning I go out to check it out and do a fit test under the kitchen cabinet.
I realized I put the bottom, on the top!
On Saturday I had turned it upside down while cleaning up glue goobers, right when my wife called, and I got distracted.

I was able to knock off the bottom, but I have to clean a ton of glue and ply pieces off. before I can cut a new bottom and attach.

 

[Vahispd]

Yes, walking away, even for a few minutes can help clear the mind (and calm down) for a fresh perspective.

Even picking up the tools that were err, 'misplaced' about the garage during the heated moments, helps to clear your thoughts.

 

[joel63]

I had planned on accomplishing great things today, too. Started out headed in the wrong direction. Slept late. Big, late breakfast. Spent the day on the couch on the computer researching new HVAC gauges, manifolds, core removal tools... At least I'm pretty sure I know what I'm going to get on Monday.

Binge watching Resident Alien now.

Tommy

Thanks for your reply.

 

[BigDaveZJ]

My shop has done wonders for my temper. Also helps that most of the time I'm not working on a vehicle that HAS to be driven to work the next day. Having a completely separate work space allows me to just walk away if I need to as opposed to having to finish the task that day.

 

[niget2002]

My shop has done wonders for my temper. Also helps that most of the time I'm not working on a vehicle that HAS to be driven to work the next day. Having a completely separate work space allows me to just walk away if I need to as opposed to having to finish the task that day.

This is very true too.

When I was working out of a garage, it was a lot harder to walk away. A lot of the projects I did back then needed to be done that weekend.

Having the dedicated shop allows me to walk away anytime I need to. It also helps that I know I can go out there and do a few things during the week in the evenings too if needed.

 

[CoogarXR]

Who says shutting down and rebooting only works on computers?

 

[LeonardY]

First project from yesterday done.

This was all supposed to be cut on the cnc yesterday, but the cnc was acting up.

Today I dropped to more manual tools.

Used the laser to burn the shapes, then cut by hand.

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Great job!
Sometimes, the old way is the best way.

I have a love hate relationship with my CNC. It allows me to make multiples of a screwed up part.

 

[oldwino]

A good friend told me that right after the birth of his sixth kid