Why are we different from other folks?

[thrillhouse700]

This is slightly off topic but I posted this to ask mainly the resto guys. What is it about our genetic make up or whatever it may be that cause us to tear things apart just to see how they work, or rebuild a 30 year old heap of a boat, come up with stupid but sometimes successful inventions in our garages?

I figured this would be a good thread for the resto forum to maybe introduce themselves and give some background.

I will start, I'm 28 and I grew up with my father in the garage, he was a farm boy and a Navy Electrician of sorts. I was always his right hand man in the garage for as long as I can remember. We would always be building shelves, furniture, things for his truck, house projects, the list goes on. When I was 6 years old I decided to build my first cross bow haha and some numb chucks. Pops found out and wasn't very happy and made me some safer things.

I went to college and got a degree in architecture, sat in an office for 6 months and decided I hated it. Went to automotive school (UTI BIGGEST WASTE OF MONEY EVER) but it did land me a job of which I put 4.5 years into and recently got laid off. Now all my time goes into the boat.

Anyways I think this "Inventive bug" we here in this forum posses is passed down through family and how we grow up. Maybe its genetics who knows.

 

[Tiwaz]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

I like doing what people tell me I can't. Also one of my personal virtues is "how hard can it be" , don't get me wrong I usually find out. My problem is I enjoy the building part more than the using it afterward. As I come closer to finishing my project I find myself look for ward to the next one, This drives my wife nut BTW. For me the fun is in the build.

 

[notsunkyet]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

Totally agree... i never had a dad to speak of and i happened to have aa awesome serrogate one! John taught me so much about rebuilding streetrods and other stuff that i guess it rubbed off.... I feel the same as Tiwaz... i love tearing a POS up and redoing it.. from the bayliner im doing now to the wifes future 72 cutlass to the 36 chevy that is after that! the neighbors laugh people shake there heads in disbelief/wonderment and i love it!!! i enjoy getting sweaty, bleeding, and seeing how many words of the bad language i can say in a sentence! oh well. My sons who are 10 and 8 love tearing stuff apart and having "man" time in the garage just to hang out... they both want a tool box like dads (aint getting it! took me a lifetime to pay snap on off lol) and want to learn and i say more power to ya!!!!
questioning and discovery lead to learning and fun so why not drag that POS home and see what you can do with it

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

Not sure where I got my gene from, but grew up tearing apart old Chevelles, Novas, etc. I always worked with my hands. Always loved boats and decided to rebuild one. Not much of a carpenter though.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

When I was young my mother bought me a $100 truck for Christmas. It was the most expensive gift my parents ever got me. She specifically told me not to take it apart. So I waited a couple of months. I was 9.

Been that way ever since. To this day, my mother still mentions it.

Not sure where I got these tendencies and I am not sure what I would do without them. Lay around, drink beer and watch football like allot of other guys I know I guess...............wait I do that too. nevermind.

 

[thrillhouse700]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

HAHAHAHA yeah If only I could find a job that would allow me to drink beer all day.

NotSunkYet I know where your coming from with the tool box, took me a long time to pay off Matco, All my tools combined with my box is worth more than my truck and the boat haha

 

[soaringhiggy]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

love to build/rebuild stuff. Been a mechanic all my life, all over the world. Quit doing it for a living (well sorta, my job always has a mechanical aspect). Just got done building my house my dad and I did it all together, very cool.

I do a lot of wood work, metal work and build engines for my hot rod friends. Restoring a couple of old tractors this winter, and going to hot rod the engine in the boat to 400 ish hp.

It is the best stuff to be able to make what you want, and not have to buy what others think you want or when you have no option.

 

[allpoints360]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

What else would you do? Yard work? LoL

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

Dunno...jus' like the taste of hypoid oil, grease and motor oil...dentist thinks I'm nuts.

 

[RadRacer]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

I like doing what people tell me I can't.

This is a big part for me; just proving others wrong, and showing that some time, skill, and a little elbow grease can make anything, well, just about anything . For instance, my car is a V6 Camaro. Everyone told me to sell it and buy a V8 because I'll never make it fast; yet, just the other day I spanked a LS1 Camaro . My mom doesn't think I can fix up this boat, but I'm out to prove her wrong . Again, you can make almost anything into something else, it just takes the time, skill, and know-how; I'm surprised at how many people don't realize that

Plus, my dad is always getting fix-er-uppers to turn and sell for a profit; I've always helped him out, so it's become sort of a hobby of mine Although I have no intent on selling the boat

 

[bigredinohio]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

People want to save the rain forest,
and others want to save the Earth.
Some save dogs, cats and other animals
but I love to see old boats brought back to their original glory!

My roots are based from generations of carpentry (even though I broke tradition by going into a different field) so doing demo and wood carving comes pretty natural. My dad and I have always been into boats and started out with a 14' flat bottom john boat and we have always talked about doing a restoration project but he's never had the courage to do so. It's funny to watch him now since he watches intently as I do mine since he is like a cheerleader offering up some advice from now and then.

 

[legoman67]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

im only 17, played with lego since i was 4 until i was 15, always loved things that go fast and burn fuel, and this is just like big lego blocks. except no colorfull instruction manual and the parts arent all clean and tidy in little trays..LOL

crazyness, something to do, keeps me out of trouble

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

Necessity is the mother of invention......I wanted a boat and couldn't afford one. I could, however, afford the $200 heap I bought and more slowly the materials I needed to buy to restore it. I'm very pleased with the results and am wrapping up my 5th boating season with it. I enjoyed the project and would definitely enjoy restoring another one. I will most likely never buy a new one. These old tin boats are too close to exactly what I'd want anyway.

I am handy but not overly mechanical. I do my own minor auto repair like brakes, water pumps, alternators, etc. but that's where my confidence stops. I need to rebuild the carbs on the 85 and that's a little scary to me.

 

[freelancer]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

I couldn?t fix a ham sandwich...well maybe

But I'm a big fan, every time some skipper throws one those fix em uppers on the board I go right to it. I enjoy seeing the progress and moreover, making it pretty again. Keep em coming.​

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

For me it's ADHD... I'm literally not happy and can't be unless I'm working focused on some project or hobby, giving it my best effort. Usually it's building something. Since I like using my boat too, that works out pretty well, it's just expensive

 

[thrillhouse700]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

I'm right with you ezmobee and Erikgreen, I could never afford a boat but I could build one slowly over time, and I also am ADHD and must be hyperfocused on something or else I stray away and get bored. I know that soon after the boat nears completion I will have to find myself a job, I've been checking for things that I would love to do and have found a couple possibilities but have not heard back. So back to the boat I go.

 

[notsunkyet]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

im the same way ... i bought this bucket Bayliner capri and knew it had almost as muny issues as i do , but figured i can do it over time and have a boat!! well the hard work is almost over and the fun will begin soon! cant wait to get on the water!
now i have the wife asking when im gonna finish her Cutlass lol oh well i guess it can looked at as boredom security lol

 

[1974merc]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

For me it's an opportunity to get away from the wife and kids for a little bit. But I do enjoy getting my hands dirty and have something to do besides mow the lawn.

 

[thrillhouse700]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

The reason I started this thread is because I have met numerous men that can't even change their own tire, or build a bike for their kids. I have never understand how a man doesn't learn simple manly tasks haha. I used to do a roadside assistance, countless times I would get calls from men who needed to have their tire changed and needed it done NOW because they had to go somewhere. There was ALWAYS a wait for this service sometimes up to 2 hours due to the fact I was the only person servicing 5 or 6 cities. In 2 hours time, said man could not change his own tire. Anyways its good to hear all your responses keep em coming.

 

[WesMason]

Re: Why are we different from other folks?

How does it work? YUP...that about sums up how I got started.

Built all the toys for my brother & sister for my Dad at Christmas time (kid gifts...not Santa gifts...I'm no stinking elf at 6'5").

Built/rebuilt bicycles, skateboards, RC cars/boats/airplanes...THEN cars & motorcycles!

I just like old things. Old cars, old boats, old homes. They have character and class. And...like EZ said, fixing something up is cheaper to get into at first. Tiwaz summed it pretty good to with doing something someone says can't be done (or shouldn't be done).

I'm amazed everyday at what I see on this board. Craftsmanship, artistry, mechanical aptitude, perseverance...and of course good old fashion elbow grease.

My son is learing it...so it matters to me even more now.

Wes