Multiple projects

[fourstroke]

Is it just me or do any other members have more than one project on the go at any one time
If so how do you prioritise
I seem to get so far into a build then I get distracted by the next big thing
Am I alone?
Dougie

 

[stevehuckss396]

Believe me you are not alone. I have 4 or 5 rolling around the shop. I just try to work on what I feel like working on. I have no rules or priorities. I always seem to finish something once in a while and if I don't no big deal.

 

[fourstroke]

My problem is when I make something of my own design.
I think oh it would be neat if I added this
And putting that there with a water pump etc etc so the project becomes never ending then I get bored

 

[Davy Boys Toys]

That sounds like my life story. I've got at least 3 or 4 projects started, laying around on my bench. It's 10 years of accumulation. I almost think I'm avoiding them for fear of failure. Oh well, retirement is coming soon, then I'll have more time.

 

[fourstroke]

Hi
Me too
Retirement can't come soon enough
Dougie

 

[minh-thanh]

I'm different
Make an engine, I need to know for sure it has to run, so I have to make it work, and when the engine is running, I can start making another type of engine.
I can't focus on 2 or several engine projects at once.

 

[Steamchick]

Davy, retirement will give you nearly enough time to have even more projects "on the go" simultaneously. I reckon it now takes longer to finish anything..... even reading all the interesting posts here!
K2

 

[metalmangler]

My problem is when I make something of my own design.
I think oh it would be neat if I added this
And putting that there with a water pump etc etc so the project becomes never ending then I get bored

Sounds just like computer programming...

 

[methuselah1]

I always have multiple projects going on. The reason for this is if I get hung up on one, either because I don't have motivation, or I'm thinking out a machining problem (you can't stuff anything up by thinking about it) I just get back to work on another.

Whilst starting an engine for the first time is pretty magical, I just love making the parts for their own sake, so I'm happy to work like this.

Point two, is that some suppliers pop up then disappear. I buy casting sets when they are available, and that has paid off a couple of times.

-Andrew

 

[awake]

I resonate with many posts above. I nearly always have multiple projects. One pattern for me is that I tend to reach a point in a given project where my energy is flagging - perhaps I've figured out some problems, but now am not quite sure what to tackle next on it. So I switch over to a dormant project, and find that I have new energy for that one.

Another pattern is that I start a project, and then realize I could really use a certain tool that I've thought about building, so I switch over to build the tool. Then I realize that to make this tool, I really first need to make that tool, so I switch again ... and the situation cascades. I've been in this sort of cascade for the past year or so, gradually working on making a foundry to try my hand at some casting. But I decided that I could really use a slip roll to make the forms, so I switched over to that ... only to decide that it would really help to finally make the 2 x 72 belt grinder that I had thought about making for the past 15 years. So I switched over to that.

I finished the 2 x 72 (mostly - there are some tweaks and improvements I'd like to add, "some day"), and then fairly recently finished up the slip roll, so now I'm back on the foundry, and getting fairly close to finishing up the metal fabrication; then it will be time to insulate and decide on the details of the burner. No doubt there will be some other tool / jig / fixture that needs doing before I get completely done with the foundry ...

 

[fourstroke]

Hi
I built a home foundry from an old lpg gas tank
If I can help you with your build just ask
Dougie

 

[awake]

Thanks, Dougie, will do. I have done a lot of research (i.e., watching YouTube and reading on the internet - first class research!), and a lot of work mocking it up in 3D CAD; at this point my design is pretty well set. I will likely start with a propane burner (maybe naturally aspirated ... or maybe go straight to forced air), but eventually plan to switch to oil / diesel.

 

[fourstroke]

Mine is propane fired, naturally aspirated, it takes about 30 min to melt aluminium and 45 min for bronze /brass
Dougie

 

[methuselah1]

I resonate with many posts above. I nearly always have multiple projects. One pattern for me is that I tend to reach a point in a given project where my energy is flagging - perhaps I've figured out some problems, but now am not quite sure what to tackle next on it. So I switch over to a dormant project, and find that I have new energy for that one.

Another pattern is that I start a project, and then realize I could really use a certain tool that I've thought about building, so I switch over to build the tool. Then I realize that to make this tool, I really first need to make that tool, so I switch again ... and the situation cascades. I've been in this sort of cascade for the past year or so, gradually working on making a foundry to try my hand at some casting. But I decided that I could really use a slip roll to make the forms, so I switched over to that ... only to decide that it would really help to finally make the 2 x 72 belt grinder that I had thought about making for the past 15 years. So I switched over to that.

I finished the 2 x 72 (mostly - there are some tweaks and improvements I'd like to add, "some day"), and then fairly recently finished up the slip roll, so now I'm back on the foundry, and getting fairly close to finishing up the metal fabrication; then it will be time to insulate and decide on the details of the burner. No doubt there will be some other tool / jig / fixture that needs doing before I get completely done with the foundry ...

This is what we call "gadgeteering" in the UK. Need to make a gadget to make a bit of an engine... But damn! Need to make a different gadget to make the first gadget... Dammit! Need to make a gadget to make the gadget to produce the ultimate gadget! And so it goes on. Resulting in the deceased's Executor's thought- "Wow! What a fantastic workshop! But what did he make with it? I can't see many engines..." LOL!

-Andrew

 

[awake]

This is what we call "gadgeteering" in the UK. Need to make a gadget to make a bit of an engine... But damn! Need to make a different gadget to make the first gadget... Dammit! Need to make a gadget to make the gadget to produce the ultimate gadget! And so it goes on. Resulting in the deceased's Executor's thought- "Wow! What a fantastic workshop! But what did he make with it? I can't see many engines..." LOL!

-Andrew

Sure enough, I am about to deviate from the foundry again - only very briefly - to work up a "fog buster" type of coolant delivery. My excuse is that all of the parts just arrived, so of course I need to take care of this little project ... that, and I'm trying to decide whether or not to completely replace the lid-lifting lever on the foundry. The original design worked, but not optimally. I've got a new design that should work much better, but I'm not sure I have the material on hand for it. Yep, that's enough to sidetrack me onto a new project!

 

[Richard Hed]

Is it just me or do any other members have more than one project on the go at any one time
If so how do you prioritise
I seem to get so far into a build then I get distracted by the next big thing
Am I alone?
Dougie

Alone? Not hardly. I have at least four steam engines being workt plus multiple tools I am making. My biggest problem is that my mill is not working yet so cannot get the mill work done--bottle necks.

 

[Richard Hed]

I resonate with many posts above. I nearly always have multiple projects. One pattern for me is that I tend to reach a point in a given project where my energy is flagging - perhaps I've figured out some problems, but now am not quite sure what to tackle next on it. So I switch over to a dormant project, and find that I have new energy for that one.

Another pattern is that I start a project, and then realize I could really use a certain tool that I've thought about building, so I switch over to build the tool. Then I realize that to make this tool, I really first need to make that tool, so I switch again ... and the situation cascades. I've been in this sort of cascade for the past year or so, gradually working on making a foundry to try my hand at some casting. But I decided that I could really use a slip roll to make the forms, so I switched over to that ... only to decide that it would really help to finally make the 2 x 72 belt grinder that I had thought about making for the past 15 years. So I switched over to that.

I finished the 2 x 72 (mostly - there are some tweaks and improvements I'd like to add, "some day"), and then fairly recently finished up the slip roll, so now I'm back on the foundry, and getting fairly close to finishing up the metal fabrication; then it will be time to insulate and decide on the details of the burner. No doubt there will be some other tool / jig / fixture that needs doing before I get completely done with the foundry ...

LOL, yes, I've been there and still doing it--that is, make a tool to make a tool to make the part!

 

[awake]

Sure enough, I am about to deviate from the foundry again - only very briefly - to work up a "fog buster" type of coolant delivery. My excuse is that all of the parts just arrived, so of course I need to take care of this little project ... that, and I'm trying to decide whether or not to completely replace the lid-lifting lever on the foundry. The original design worked, but not optimally. I've got a new design that should work much better, but I'm not sure I have the material on hand for it. Yep, that's enough to sidetrack me onto a new project!

And I finished my brief deviant behavior. Wait ... I mean, project deviation! Here is my "fog buster" type design: MQL system (compare to fog buster)