I’ve realized that I’ve barely been on LJ’s over the past month. Mostly my time on LJ’s directly correlates with the amount of time I spend woodworking. As summertime approaches I’ve barely spent any time in the shop over the past month, and though I have several projects in mind, I have little desire to build them right now. Mostly spent the last month building a woodshed and a dock…when the sun’s out and the weather is warm I really can’t bear to shut myself in the shop.
I’m curious how other LJ’s are; is ww mostly a fall/winter/foul weather hobby? Judging by the traffic on LJ’s, it seems for most ww is a year-long pursuit, obviously for those with unheated shops, summer is the time to woodwork!
I work wood all year. I’m blessed in that I have a market for what I make even though working wood isnt my full time profession. I plan projects around a given time of the year: Late winter, say Feb, March, I start making items for school graduations, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, wedding season. I start buying stock and working plans in July for Thanksgiving and Christmas. When I’m not working those items, i’m always working on one or more furniture projects at the same time for two galleries that sell my work. My shop isnt air conditioned in the summer so believe it or not, the hard wood floor in my dining room is where the cut pieces waiting to be assembled sit until i’m ready to start assembly. I avoid as much wood movement as I can from humidity that way. My wife is an absolute saint. In the winter, I heat with propane. The shop is 3/4 insulated with R19 on the walls. I can heat it to between 60- 75 degrees depending on wind chill.
My engineering day job requires 50 hrs a week and I’m also a retail business owner and work several nights and every Saturday in “the store”. Wish I could think about retirement and playing in the shop. That was a possibility before Obama. Now I’ll be lucky to retire at 80. Two years cut back to 75% pay, no bonuses which was another 25% hit, then job eliminated, 3 months un-employed before taking a job paying half what I used to make, terrible market for retail sales all combined to pretty much screw any chance I had for retirement. Yeah, the private sector is doing so FINE I could just scream with joy and satisfaction at all this Hope-n-Change.
But, I do get in the shop a couple nights for 3 or 4 hours during the week and sometimes all day on Sundays if I don’t have to be working in the yard or tending to family functions. Probably the best I can hope for for till after November. It’s the only thing that allows me some peace of mind and satisfaction.
As far as temperature is concerned, my shop is in the basement and I have HVAC down there. Just have to finish in the garage to vent fumes outside.
-- Michael :-{| Diapers and politicians both need to be changed often; and for the same reason.
I’m used to the weather – hot or cold. I’ve worked in woodworking plants for over 30 years and we’ve never had any heat or air in the plant. The offices up front do. However, the office that I have when I’m not on the floor is in our machine shop and there is no heating or air. Neither are there any windows. In the winter I do have a small space heater mostly for my feet and legs and in the summer I have a floor fan. I rarely work in the evenings when I go home because I’m almost 62 and still work around 48 hours per week so I mainly just sit in my shop for a couple of hours when I go home. All of my woodworking is done every Saturday and Sunday and all I have are a small space heater and a floor fan but that is what I have all week only when I’m not on the shop floor but I work maintenance so just don’t have it all the time. So when I’m in my shop I’m as comfortable as I am when I’m at work which is not really comfortable.
-- If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. Henry David Thoreau
Crank, you might be taking those words out of my own mouth. Our molding business was a good business and we were hoping to sell it for our retirement. Now it ain’t going to happen. We’ll be lucky just to keep it running. I figure that I’ll probably have to work till I drop.
-- If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. Henry David Thoreau
Have a wonderful summer. I am in the same boat, fight to find time for the blogs and answers, but love it when I do. Here due to a move and a new family that takes more time and efford to settle than expected, but I feel confident we will be back strong. Best thoughts, Mads
-- Mad F, the fanatical rhykenologist and vintage architect. Democraticwoodworking.
If not for recent health challenges, I’d be spending my time at the gun club or fly fishing. But, I’ve enjoyed LJ during this respite, although I agree things seem to have slowed down with the arrival of summer. And, off to the gun club this afternoon for Trap League!
-- John C. -- "Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth." George Washington
Woodworking Skill Share Your woodworking skills are displayed for several lifetimes in each project. Have you had to compromise your project...
8849
Woodturning On the lathe, by the lathe: do you have questions? frustrations? tips? This forum is for all the woodturners out there.
246
Woodcarving Relief, 3D, chip-carving, whittling; carving knives, chisels, pocket-knives, power tools. If you are a carver or want...
32
Scrollsawing Intarsia, fretwork, intricate design cutting and more! This forum is for scrollsawers: share your tips, ask questions...
69
Joinery Have a question? a tip/strategy to share? a challenge, perhaps? Share your "joinery" discussion here.
96
Finishing The finish, whether paint, wax, stain, or something else, can make or break a project. What are your tips and questio...
1600
Designing Woodworking Projects Looking for information on designing your projects? Having difficulties reading project plans? Looking for help with ...
3595
Power Tools, Hardware and Accessories Are you unsure of which tools, or hardware, you need, or which brands to buy? Investing in tools and hardware can be ...
15985
Hand Tools Wood, your hand tools, you and a little know-how. Share your questions, tips and strategies for the use and maintenan...
2102
Jigs & Fixtures Using a jig is like having a couple extra hands helping out. Show us your jigs, share your tips, strategies and, of c...
501
Wood & Lumber Different wood requires different woodworking strategies - from cutting to finishing. Share your tips and challenges ...
2911
Safety in the Woodworking Shop Before you pick up those woodworking tools, take the time to ensure your safety in the shop! Eyes, ears, fingers, and...
813
Focus on the Workspace Are you looking for or do you have tips to share regarding the workshop? Storage, equipment placement, efficiency, an...
925
Sweating for Bucks Through Woodworking If you are selling your work, then you have entered a woodworking dimension with added complexity and stress. If you...
778
Woodworking Trade & Swap All of us are holding onto treasure in our shops, that we either don't need, don't want, or could part with if presen...
2778
LumberJocks.com Site Feedback Connect with the Website Gurus and tell us what you are thinking, suggestions, problems, functionality issues, and so...
1553
Coffee Lounge Need a break from all the standing and wood dust? Chat with your Forum Friends about their projects, their life, thei...
6136
DISCLAIMER: Any posts on LJ are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of LJ. LJ will not be held liable for the actions of any user.
