Decisions, Decisions...

[cfellows]

I find myself once again at that frustrating, in-between projects, stage trying to figure out what to do next. On the one hand I have any number of partially finished projects that I either lost interest in or are waiting for a new tool or more information, etc. Then I have some shop maintenance and new tool projects which I could dive into, but don't really feel like it. And finally, there are several, glittery new engine projects that I am itching to get going on. Makes me crazy trying to decide...

Chuck

 

[b.lindsey]

Hmmmmm....the choices seem to me "lost interest in or waiting for tools" vs. "dont really feel like it" vs. "itching to get going on". My vote is for the "itching to get going on" !!! :big:

Whatever you decide Chuck, I know it will be good and fun to watch!!!

Bill

 

[mgbrv8]

I would do maintenance it's not as fun but a machine that it clean and true makes better parts.

Dave

 

[dsquire]

Chuck

Since you don't like making the decision, Let the members make it for you. Make a list of all the possibilities and then make it into a poll. The members can vote on it for a week then you will have the results and away you go. :big: :big:

Cheers

Don

 

[mklotz]

Make a three-sided coin and flip it.

 

[b.lindsey]

Wouldn't making the three sided coin only add to the complexity of the choices at hand :big:

 

[miner49r]

A week! A week! You trying to drive this man crazier than he already is?

Chuck

Since you don't like making the decision, Let the members make it for you. Make a list of all the possibilities and then make it into a poll. The members can vote on it for a week then you will have the results and away you go. :big: :big:

Cheers

Don

 

[mklotz]

Wouldn't making the three sided coin only add to the complexity of the choices at hand :big:

That's the idea. He'll get so mentally exhausted trying to solve that topology problem that he'll be glad to turn to any of his three options for some relief.

 

[rleete]

Ask the wife what you should do. You'll never have any free time ever again.

 

[arnoldb]

Chuck, Your heart's obviously not in the "partially finished" or "shop maintenance or new tooling" projects, so those are pretty much out of the picture then. That leaves a couple of options...

Toss a coin (a normal one this time ) - if it lands on heads or tails, go to the pub/bar. If it lands on edge, start a glittery new engine. Don't use a penny though; apparently the President's nose on the heads side pulls them off balance resulting in an uneven heads-tails ratio, and you won't be able to get the on-edge result ;D

 

[Foozer]

Always the ever present "Honey Do" list to bring ones focus to the true meaning of time well spent.

Robert

 

[user 4756]

Chuck,

Do what you most want to. This will result in you being happy.

Once happy, you will find odd moments to do the other stuff that you don't really want to do now, then, you will do a job that will show you a different way of doing things and, for fun and practice, you will just have to try it out on those jobs you lost interest in.

Simple...

The other thing is that you will be so busy that the wife won't find jobs for you to fill your time...and we know how interesting they are! :big: :big: :big:

Andy

 

[miner49r]

Start a new and exciting project. Once you are well into it you will find that you will have to do the maintenance on one or more pieces of equipment that you are putting off.
;D

 

[Foozer]

She caught me chuckling about this thread, Now I get to clean the garage

 

[Blogwitch]

Chuck,

I find myself with the same dilemma, so after today, I start a new life, and have decided to first finish off the conversion of my shop, getting everything just right for me to work in.

Then I have some special tooling and fixtures that need to be made for me to carry on, these have been in the pipeline for a couple of years now, and will hopefully allow me to become independent from major suppliers of gears and springs.

Then I am going to clear up and finish off all the projects I started but never got truly finished, engines that I got running but never really tidied up for display, plus others that I only ever got half way through.

Only then will I start on new engine projects.

There comes a time in everyones' life where you have to look at the past, and get that squared away, before looking to the future.


John

 

[lordedmond]

Our thoughts are with you today John


Stuart & Linda

 

[Herbiev]

Hi Chuck. I wish I could offer some advice but I am in exactly the same position. Frustrating isn't it? I have a boiler 90% done, hit&miss 50% done, just started on an auto feed for the mill,the shed is a pig sty and am currently really interested in a jet turbine build. One more project and I'll have six. Then I can throw a dice.
Thats it!! I'll make a brass dice ;D

 

[chuck foster]

Chuck if none of your half finished projects interest you why not stop by my shop and have a look at some of my half finished stuff??
if you see some you like you can just take them home with you and finish them.

i have 1 or 2 steam engine models,5 or 6 gas engine models and i think i have a model of an old generator to go with my 3 cylinder fairbanks engine.

i find it is easy to start a new project but it is hard to finish a project.

chuck

 

[gbritnell]

Hi Chuck,
I've never been quite in your position. Having started 'building' with plastic and balsa models as a kid I always finished each project to have a completed whatever. I got into metal where I could actually make something in my late teens and here again if I started something I always finished it because I wanted to see what it looked like. Most of my projects these days take so much planning, work and sometimes investment in gears, bearings and screws that I would consider it a waste of resources if I didn't see the project through.
Now I must say in your defense that I have projects that are finished and have thought about making changes to them, a good example is the transmission that I finished last year. I have all the intentions in the world to get it mounted to my engine but with it 'finished' it's not high on my priority list because I have 2 or 3 other things going on, the radial engine, hit and miss engines and parts for other builders.
So many projects, so little time!! :big:
George

 

[Foozer]

There comes a time in everyones' life where you have to look at the past, and get that squared away, before looking to the future.

John

Your words carry the weight of a reality we all shall face someday. You have always sought out the glint of gold to mentor in this great sea of bronze we live in. I look forward to your decision to continue.

Robert