Author Topic: I can't seem to actually start building... help! (Read 2541 times)

javeryh · « **on:** January 17, 2005, 11:24:21 pm »

OK, I've got everything I need to begin construction... wood, tools, parts, computer, etc. but I just can't seem to take the first step. I've got all my plans drawn and everything. There is just no time to work on it during the week and on the weekends my wife and daughter occupy most (all) of my time. Anyone else having this problem?

pointdablame · « **Reply #1 on:** January 17, 2005, 11:44:46 pm »

I have had no luck finding time to work on my project too... it seems to be the number one problem in this hobby for most. I just got done with my month long break from school, and only got a few good days of work in on my bartop.... it just seems to be the nature of the beast....

"real life" seems to creep out of nowhere and take over more times than not lol.

Mameotron · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2005, 11:50:25 pm »

Yes, I had the same problem.

GGKoul · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2005, 12:29:34 am »

Quote from: javeryh on January 17, 2005, 11:24:21 pm

OK, I've got everything I need to begin construction... wood, tools, parts, computer, etc. but I just can't seem to take the first step.

JCKnife · « **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2005, 08:07:05 am »

Yep, same problem here. CP is done, 3 sheets of MDF sitting in the garage...and no time.

Having a 2 month old inside and single-digit temperatures outside are the main culprits.

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #5 on:** January 18, 2005, 08:18:19 am »

send the wife and daughter to the spa....only time you get to do the cutting adn what not.

shawnzilla · « **Reply #6 on:** January 18, 2005, 08:37:32 am »

I've found that if I communicate with my wife that I want to take some designated time during the week and work on my cab, that she gives me the time to do it.

It always helps when your spouse is onboard for this project.

I have to agree though, these sub-zero temps make it hard to want to work on the cab!

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2005, 08:42:43 am »

Quote from: shawnzilla on January 18, 2005, 08:37:32 am

I've found that if I communicate with my wife that I want to take some designated time during the week and work on my cab, that she gives me the time to do it.

Sometimes. And sometimes, she says you don't set time aside to spend with me.....lol

RetroJames · « **Reply #8 on:** January 18, 2005, 09:22:07 am »

Quote from: javeryh on January 17, 2005, 11:24:21 pm

OK, I've got everything I need to begin construction... wood, tools, parts, computer, etc. but I just can't seem to take the first step.

nipsmg · « **Reply #9 on:** January 18, 2005, 09:25:26 am »

Dammit spacecadet beat me to the punch.

But it doesn't have to be that severe even.

Get into the "what are you (we) doing this weekend" converstaion on Wednesday somehow. Say something to the effect of "I'd really like to get some work done on the arcade project on sat for a couple of hours, then I was thinking I'd take you out for a romantic dinner/movie/dancing/[insert thing your wife likes to do here]". This way, she sees you're not only thinking about yourself and aren't only focusing on your project, but on your relationship also.

--NipsMG.

Corporate Dog · « **Reply #10 on:** January 18, 2005, 09:33:50 am »

Heh... usually, my wife is supportive of my woodworking jags. I'm not the most handy guy with tools, so every little bit of practice will eventually get me to the point where I can build her some nice furniture and/or additions to the house.

RetroJames · « **Reply #11 on:** January 18, 2005, 09:48:17 am »

Yea, planning really is the key. Get all your ducks in a row, set the short-term goal, free up the time, then when you have the oppourtunity, make the most of it. One unplanned trip to Home Depot will kill your work splurge so plan, plan, plan!

javeryh · « **Reply #12 on:** January 18, 2005, 11:33:56 am »

I'm glad to hear that it's not just me. I think breaking it into managable chunks is the way to go. This week my short term goal will be to pencil mark the plywood for cutting (hopefully this weekend). I think I can afford about an hour and a half each night (or two depending on how tired I want to be at work the next day). I guess I'll find out tonight if it is going to work...

Jabba · « **Reply #13 on:** January 18, 2005, 11:54:21 am »

Ever hear of the "Honey Dew" list. I usually have one on the go with my significant other. It's usually, Honey, could you do this, and this and this.

If you have one of these, make sure your project is also on the Honey Dew list as well. Definately doing it when the kids are asleep is the best way to go...

RetroJames · « **Reply #14 on:** January 18, 2005, 01:16:46 pm »

hehe...just saw this when sending an amazon link to a friend for "Project Arcade"

Project Arcade: Build Your Own Arcade Machine
by John St. Clair "I remember vividly the feeling I had when I realized I was really going to do this - that I was really going to build..."

Pyro · « **Reply #15 on:** January 19, 2005, 01:24:37 am »

Quote from: javeryh on January 17, 2005, 11:24:21 pm

OK, I've got everything I need to begin construction... wood, tools, parts, computer, etc. but I just can't seem to take the first step. I've got all my plans drawn and everything. There is just no time to work on it during the week and on the weekends my wife and daughter occupy most (all) of my time. Anyone else having this problem?

It sounds like I am almost in the same boat as you. I've had almost all the hardware and materials to make my cab for almost a year now. Part of the problem is that I have a huge "To-Do" list, although in my case the main problem is that I can't commit 100% to a plan yet. I've been designing and redesigning for months now. I'm close to what I want as an end result, but keep changing little things here and there.

Anyway, don't feel bad... you aren't the only one dragging your feet on getting started!

Pyro

Kremmit · « **Reply #16 on:** January 19, 2005, 02:04:35 am »

Hell, this topic is my sig...

Pyro · « **Reply #17 on:** January 19, 2005, 07:30:38 pm »

Quote from: Kremmit on January 19, 2005, 02:04:35 am

Hell, this topic is my sig...

LOL! I hadn't noticed that before. That's hilarious. Maybe we ought to start a support group.

Pyro

Crazy Cooter · « **Reply #18 on:** January 19, 2005, 08:00:09 pm »

Just do what I do:
"Woman! after you make me breakfast I'm going to the garage. Come get me when lunch is ready."

Then I run... she's got a good sense of humor.

mugwump · « **Reply #19 on:** January 20, 2005, 10:19:24 am »

I had this same problem. I finally just bit the bullet and did all of my marking and cutting during a few hours when the wife and kids were out shopping. The next night I got the frame built and from there I could just work on things for a few minutes here and there. I took about two months to "finish" the cab. The hardest part was getting started -- once you make that first cut you're halfway there.

crashwg · « **Reply #20 on:** January 20, 2005, 11:10:09 am »

Yea, I've been "working" on my cab since February 23 of last year and I'm still at the point shown in the attached picture which was taken on September 21...

Most of my problem is because I didn't realy plan anything out so now I'm stuck trying to figgure out exactly how I'm going to mount the monitor and how I'm going to secure the CP down and where I'm going to put the monitor's control panel... I could go on and on. $:-\$

jdjuggler · « **Reply #21 on:** January 21, 2005, 02:44:38 pm »

Wow! I love this site.
Who knew that I could come to BYOAC for marriage counseling and arcade building advice.

JD

P.S. One more thing, Doc, it hurts when I do THIS. What should I do?

Stingray · « **Reply #22 on:** January 21, 2005, 04:13:18 pm »

Quote from: jdjuggler on January 21, 2005, 02:44:38 pm

P.S.


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Author Topic: I can't seem to actually start building... help! (Read 2541 times)

Mameotron