Money, Time and Feeling like it!

I know the feeling all too well.

-- There is no such thing as a mistake. Its called a design modification Rick Kruse, Grand Rapids, MI

Time is more important then anything because without it we can not keep learning and passing what we have learned to another. Without passing what we know on, much is lost. Money will always be that which keeps a New Renaissance from blooming. There is so much talent but we all all have to eat and take care of our families so to work we go and time passes on… Materials, Oh to see those beautiful grains in extraordinary master pieces but then to there are the branches from the fall pruning that gathered together can make a beautiful board and that board into our master piece. There is always a way even though the road has some whopper bumps. When the hands don’t work use the mind and when the mind does not work use the hands and there will be something good that comes from it. ...and maybe a broad smile.

-- Never board, always knotty, lots of growth rings

Hey Jimmy
I know the feeling darn if do darn if you don’t . I saw an interview with Norm Abram at a woodworking show and he was asked about all those tools he has , He said many people say they could build cool things if they had all his tools. He said use what you have and make it work the best you can. I’ve been amazed by the ingenuity of LJers the build with 3 or 4 hand tools and use found wood stumps ,pallets etc. and many have no shop at all and barley any income. So when I’m complaining about not having enough room in my shop(because of to many tools) I think about these fine people around the world who do woodworking with what they have or can find. As far as not wanting to work when you have the tools I think it’s kind of a mental block, So I try to just start when this happens to me and I find once I start I keep going.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

The hardest part of any journey is opening the front door. As a1Jim says “start”.

-- Never board, always knotty, lots of growth rings

My feelings exactly. I have that same problem. Got the wood and the tools. Just lack the motivation or inspiration most of the time.

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

ditto

Grab yourself a discarded pallet and go nuts. It’s free, and hey if it doesn’t turn out very good then there’s always more!

You would be surprised at what some pallets are made of. I’ve found walnut, oak, cherry, ash, elm, and many others. Imported goods are your best bet. Their common wood is exotic to us! Most of my projects are made from scraps, pallets, etc.

If you find yourself only coming across pine, use it, and experiemnt… try something on it that you have never done before. I learn a lot in this way!

-- James, Bluffton, IN

Thanks to everyone that Responded. Means alot, all the ideas, all the comments.

It also shows who’s in the same boat and whos willing to toss out an extra “This is how you can get it for free” or something along that line, little tips and tricks of the trades…

I may have to go down to the local cabinet shop if we have one and see if they got some small stuff I can pick up and use.

I’ve got some Old Fence that I could probably use for something as well, just clean it up with my Planer and all and away we go!

Handi

-- Jimmy "Handi" Warner, http://jwarner75.etsy.com, http://handisworkshop.blogspot.com

Hi Handi, good post
what the he—,
use what you have, with what tools you have, when you can.
a knife and a stick goes a long way with me.
one of these days i will get the nerve to post some of my sticks
and other things.
Occie

when you get old ( I’m not, only 70) you run out of time

-- Occie down in Costa Rica. come down and see us some time. I'll keep the light on for you Occiegilliam@yahoo.com

Occie,

I hear you there, I got over that myself long time ago, because you think that your stuff isn’t good enough for anyone to see, and you think it’s not good enough yourself.

Then I learned to accept my less but perfect work, where as others may think it’s perfect or more then perfect, where I see flaws, others don’t see them.

I’d be happy to see your work.

Handi

-- Jimmy "Handi" Warner, http://jwarner75.etsy.com, http://handisworkshop.blogspot.com