Another project done. What do I do next?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
Walnut Creek, California
January 17, 2019 4:46pm CST
There was an "older" rancher up in Montana when I was a kid. He was a good man, and taught us post-hippy Summer kids to stack hay, diagnose tractor problems, and ride his horses. Once he retired from active ranching (and even before), he always had projects going on in this garage/shop. It could be anything from fixing a motorcycle engine to making a doll rocking chair out of clothes pins.
I think I unconsciously imitated him, starting when I was in my 40s. I always like to have projects going here now, whether it's fixing vintage loudspeakers, making guitar sound hold coasters, or making rafts for kids out of wine cork and popsicle sticks.
Most recently, I had a scratchy sound in one tweeter of a pair of 1969 KLH 17 loudspeakers I got in exchange for some restoration work. I thought it might be the tweeter itself, but a veteran stereo fix-it guy told me that older KLH tweeters didn't usually "go out." I thought it might be a capacitor, but when capacitors go, the tweeter either goes totally dead or sounds too dull or too bright, not scratchy.
I finally decided to redo all of the contacts on the way to the tweeter with solder, not just wire nuts. It worked, and both speakers sound fine now. I'll attach a picture of the speaker with the woofer taken out, giving me access to the wiring inside. But what do I do now? Is it time start another pair of coasters?
Anyway, do you like having projects to do? Another question: have you consciously or unconsciously imitated some behavior of someone who was influential in your life? It could be fixing things, or arts and crafts. Or a certain recipe. Or playing a certain instrument. Or whatever. Inquiring minds want to know.
9 people like this
8 responses
@wolfgirl569 (95134)
• Marion, Ohio
17 Jan 19
I live life almost totally different from most people I know. If I am imitating anything it was deciding to start growing my own food which my parents did forever. I often have more that one project going and work on them as my moods decide.
4 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (95134)
• Marion, Ohio
17 Jan 19
@TheHorse I can handle killing for food or to protect what I have. I just hate to see hunting just for a trophy.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
18 Jan 19
@wolfgirl569 I agree with you entirely.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Jan 19
@TheHorse One project that has got shelved was to make some little boxes to display 2-5 coins (whatever comprises a set) and sell them on a coin website. We thought they'd look great and sell better in a fancy little box with felt lining and circles cut out for the coins. The problem has been sourcing tiny hinges and clasps but I think Vince has those now. So maybe that is something we'll do some time soon. The door in the caravan cupboard that we made has bowed and we need to make a new one somehow. But we also need some material that won't bow.
2 people like this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
18 Jan 19
I am sure I do because I had some many strong people influence my life.I always have a project going, sometimes more than one at the same tie.
2 people like this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
18 Jan 19
@TheHorse Nope not a project, just good company.
1 person likes this
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
18 Jan 19
Awesome that you got that fixed!
I need to have something to work on / do. I get too antsy otherwise and crafting of anything, just really helps me unwind. I don't think I copy anyone really. As corny as it might sound.... I would like to be way more like Jesus! He is a great admiration of mine for his actions and general good will he had for people in every day situations. It was like really, love just radiated from him to EVERYONE. In this day and age, there is too much hate and controversy. That we need more people like him with compassion out there making changes.
1 person likes this
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
19 Jan 19
@TheHorse Yes! A lot of his teachings are also found in one form or another in other religious/ philosophy sets. If anything, it really seemed Jesus demonstrated a more universal kindness and consideration that everyone should have regardless of religion, nationalities, etc!
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
19 Jan 19
This is awesome that you have learned to do things like this as it is a Lost trade. I enjoy painting rocks to go hide, sell or give as gifts or Crocheting. Never been good at anything handyman.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (29129)
• United Kingdom
18 Jan 19
I always have things waiting to be done, or fixed, just it takes me ages to get around to them what with all the other stuff going on! Never thought of them this way though, they are just things needing to be done. Currently in the pipeline - restore dining table, make new curtains, make covers for dining chairs, take garden shredder apart and fit new parts... lots of other smaller stuff too. I guess it comes from my parents who were always making or fixing or adapting things, and also from what I call my 'mad old friends' who were true English eccentrics!
1 person likes this