ever consider selling out and saying F it?

[eldubb440]

well, the squeaky wheel gets the grease and things got ironed out....... but I really don't like having to squeak

anyway........ I agree, the grass is always greener; and I've gotten this far only having real jobs for a very short portion of my adult life. I have never done well with a boss

I walk out my back door of a pretty nice house to an awesome shop full of pretty cool stuff, and never want to come off as ungrateful....... but I work too hard, and my work is too nice to feel unappreciated. Mine is the tough job, paying up should be the easy part. I do need to make some changes, and I will. It is necessary.......... I guess my rant is over........ until the next time, lol

 

[Bladecutter]

Well, at least I can say I have been enjoying my GTX. 10,000 miles since getting it on the road 3 seasons ago. I'm like you guys I suppose, ask me about a kitchen or bathroom and I could care less. after 36 years of it, it just doesn't blow my skirts up anymore.

Holy cow,, 10 K miles already? You are enjoying it! Right the **** on Bro!

 

[DeltaV]

As a Director in a large corporation once told me...people are no damn good. I disagreed with him. I was wrong...and it took me 30 years to realize that I was wrong. I am an idiot sometimes.

 

[fwi]

anybody wanna buy a meat company?

View attachment 443743 View attachment 443744 View attachment 443745 View attachment 443746 View attachment 443747 View attachment 443748

Where's the beef?

 

[MarPar]

Where's the beef?

everywhere! lol

 

[Bladecutter]

Jimi..... you know 95% of this work is done by hand; and it's hard work even for a young guy...... but the young guys suck at it, so the really nice stuff is left to us old timers...... at least it keeps me agile and moving

Just to reinforce what 'Dub said about the handwork. When it has to be as straight as one can make, the sanding MUST be done manually w/ boards & blocks, one must make their own to fit irregular, complex areas. Pitch the D/A & air files etc. No matter how good a person is at shaping, they are more accurate by hand. Therein lies the problem with the young set,,,they are schooled on power tools & never fully develop the FEEL,,,,,the Seat of the Pants.

 

[dart4forte]

anybody wanna buy a meat company?

View attachment 443743 View attachment 443744 View attachment 443745 View attachment 443746 View attachment 443747 View attachment 443748

That's a lot of bacon

 

[Cranky]

I watch a show called Mountain Men and there's this one old codger that lives in Wyoming some where...anyway it's him his dog and his old lady up in the woods on a mountain.
Traps for a living, which doesn't appear to require six figures...
I often think about how peaceful it might be!

I watch that show too....but those guys are not exactly poor either. Tom Oar is the guy you're about I believe. http://realitystarsnetworth.com/2015/06/mountain-men-net-worth.html

That's right 'Dub! No matter how long We've done it, it's always challenging, problematic. The beast always raises its head.
It's kept my stomach flat.

Working like I have over the years hasn't done much good for my stomach OR my back! lol I have lost 35 lbs over a period of time though but need to lose another 15......

Budnicks.... you mention "gravy"
there is zero gravy in this end of the business. "easy money" does not exist. Therefore it needs to provide "decent" and "steady" money. As a rule, I get "up front" money; and being a lone wolf, I usually wind up working for friends or friends of friends. My biggest fault is working through the "up front" money and continuing on; then spending even more time chasing down what people owe.
I realize this is my fault, but I expect these guys to bring it without me feeling like I have to beg for it.
Worse yet, I find myself feeling guilty if something takes too long, and I don't bill for the extra time; actually feeling sorry for the guy spending the money.

I know I need to run a tighter ship, and be somewhat of a dick; but it just isn't in my personality. At 52, I'm just getting tired of the runaround; and I'm realizing there are other things I can do. I feel myself beginning to hate the hobby that I have loved my entire life. I see a lot of threads centered around complaining about the guys doing the work; In some cases it's not the shop, it's simply a case of someone with champagne taste and a beer budget; or worse, somebody just looking to take advantage and get over.......... my new motto: "bring money or bring a trailer.... or both"

I know exactly what you're talking about! I'm 66 and am tired of people who know very little about doing anything tell me how things should be done! Imo, they part of what I call the China generation. They expect the best from very little and end up paying 2 or 3 times more for quality when they try and cheap out.

As far as this hobby I often think the same way( I should quit). I restore or build cars that sometimes sit in the shop for over a year with out being moved. I like building them but I just don't ever drive them. I used to love to just go ride around but for the past few years I don't leave my place unless I have too. And yet I am still building lol. And when the wife does get me to go to town we take the 300. You cant do cars right and really turn a profit either. So it is a dilemma for me as well. I put 25 miles on the bird last year. The chevelle has 10 miles or so on it and has been finished for 2 years. I finished a 70 mustang last fall and it hasent been out of the shop. I am building a 68 charger and a 69 gto now but doubt I will ever use them. There is a 79 SWB step side 4x4 in the shop that hasent been out in over 2 years. So I sure cant give you advise on quitting lol I don't know if there is an answer but maybe death for me.

I've worked on everybody's cars including their friends and family while mine sits.....

Maybe this is your ticket to get out of CA.? Good Luck

This kinda took a side track I think as I thought it was about downloading away from the hobby, but also seems to be talking about the work force as well. Man, I bleed for you guys as I'm in the same boat. I tried to start a biz that failed back in 2015, moved, and now just don't care to enter the work force or try starting a Biz again at 59. I don't want to do a **** job for $10 @ Hr. which seems to be all that I can find. F that BS!

At 66, I've been kinda looking at 'other' things to do but unless you're willing to work for yourself, there's nothing much out there for us old farts..

No, didn't kill the thread. I think you have made people aware of the fact that we do more for others than we do for ourselves. An honourable trait to have, but does not help your own pocket or give you any spare time to yourself. I like this thread.

After hearing on the news yesterday about the increasing production output to come of electrics vehicles, I wonder how long before we reach the 'tipping point' in which average people start losing interest in the traditional collector cars, and ditch them in favour of the new latest thing? It has been said that by 2030, there will be no cars sold that have an internal combustion engine as we know it.
That can only reinforce what this thread is about, and how long before there is a mass exodus from the hobby as we currently enjoy it.

There will always be someone out there that will not follow the heard....

Can relate to 95% of what's been posted.
Have thought about the sell out. Every thing house, cars, belongings the works. But at 62 reality hits and the question what the heck happens next? Still have to make a living and quiting has not been an acceptable option.

It doesn't get any better. I wanted to buy some land out in the sticks...well, not that far away from decent doctors etc but even out in the sticks, there are decent health care professionals but the wife didn't think so and didn't want to be that far from the kids. Oh well.

well, the squeaky wheel gets the grease and things got ironed out....... but I really don't like having to squeak

anyway........ I agree, the grass is always greener; and I've gotten this far only having real jobs for a very short portion of my adult life. I have never done well with a boss

I walk out my back door of a pretty nice house to an awesome shop full of pretty cool stuff, and never want to come off as ungrateful....... but I work too hard, and my work is too nice to feel unappreciated. Mine is the tough job, paying up should be the easy part. I do need to make some changes, and I will. It is necessary.......... I guess my rant is over........ until the next time, lol

I've done my share of squeaking. Built an engine for this guy and let him take it without paying first and it took a good while to get him to pay up. After hearing every excuse known to man over 3 months, I showed up at his house with my trailer. He had installed the engine into his Dart but it was outside for some reason over the weekend with the garage door down. I backed up to it and was power winching it onto my trailer when he finally came out raising hell. Told him I'd bring his car back once I pulled MY engine out He paid me on the spot! He mentioned calling the cops first and well, that didn't go over too well lol. He was one of many that convinced me to quit building engines for others.....

 

[HawkRod]

Built an engine for this guy and let him take it without paying first and it took a good while to get him to pay up. After hearing every excuse known to man over 3 months, I showed up at his house with my trailer. He had installed the engine into his Dart but it was outside for some reason over the weekend with the garage door down. I backed up to it and was power winching it onto my trailer when he finally came out raising hell. Told him I'd bring his car back once I pulled MY engine out He paid me on the spot! He mentioned calling the cops first and well, that didn't go over too well lol. He was one of many that convinced me to quit building engines for others.....

Wow, I am saddened to hear there are that many idiots out there. One of the first things I told 'Dub when he took on the bodywork for my car was that this had to be a win for both parties. I am not made of money, have two kids in college (OK, one JUST graduated, but I did at the time), and lots of other bills like everyone else. But I was adamant that I would pay IMMEDIATELY and in FULL when requested - and I did. On the flip side, 'Dub had a timeline that needed to be met so I could drive the car across country, and he met his timeline. I would like to hope that overall this worked out pretty good. Best part is, 'Dub and I will now serve each other up a beer rather than a warrant!

I have heard about unreasonable stuff on both sides. It is shame it happens as often as it seems to...

Hawk

 

[Mike67]

. Tom Oar is the guy you're about I believe.

Yes sir that's him....seems like he is very happy and living his dream. He doesn't complain about anything which I think is a reflection of his lifestyle.

I've worked on everybody's cars including their friends and family while mine sits...

Yep....started wiring the bird today...as mine sits...I don't do it for money, mainly just trying to help good people out...though I often wish I didnt know so many good people!!!! Lol!

 

[eldubb440]

Wow, I am saddened to hear there are that many idiots out there. One of the first things I told 'Dub when he took on the bodywork for my car was that this had to be a win for both parties. I am not made of money, have two kids in college (OK, one JUST graduated, but I did at the time), and lots of other bills like everyone else. But I was adamant that I would pay IMMEDIATELY and in FULL when requested - and I did. On the flip side, 'Dub had a timeline that needed to be met so I could drive the car across country, and he met his timeline. I would like to hope that overall this worked out pretty good. Best part is, 'Dub and I will now serve each other up a beer rather than a warrant!

I have heard about unreasonable stuff on both sides. It is shame it happens as often as it seems to...

Hawk

the job gets much easier when the money is there, you were an all-star to work with and I am glad I came through on my end. The whole scenario was certainly a challenge, but you had your ducks in a row; and as a result we both came out looking good...... this is the way it should be, cooperation is key, and I prefer to make friends along the way........ If everyone approached it as you did, this thread would not exist..... you deserve a major thumbs up!..... Thanks!

 

[eldubb440]

you even made the wife happy..... and you can't put a price on that!

 

[HawkRod]

made the wife happy..... and you can't put a price on that!

Truer words were never spoken!

Hope to see you at Carlisle!

 

[Budnicks]

I'll stop building cars when I'm dead.

I think I'm the same way too "probably"
I learned, never say never again...
I've bailed/got bored a couple times, I get pulled right back in...

I'm sure I will do a different style build next,
just helped mostly restored/custom frame off &
close to finish a 68 Jeep with my neighbor, it's drivable now
But he really did most the work, he needed guidance/help
I was mostly just teaching & telling him what to do...
It was/is enjoyable, I'm good at spending other peoples $$$

 

[Richard Cranium]

after 36 years of it, it just doesn't blow my skirts up anymore.

You're a cross dresser?????

 

[kiwigtx]

You're a cross dresser?????

...that may have been a slip of the tongue.

 

[eldubb440]

as per my personality disorder..... I'm gonna give Darius the benefit of the doubt.....he must be a Scottsman

 

[HawkRod]

as per my personality disorder..... I'm gonna give Darius the benefit of the doubt.....he must be a Scottsman

I have had the pleasure of meeting Darius (and got to see his car too - awesome!), and he is a prospecting, gold diggin' real deal guy. (Seriously. He has a gold digging claim in CA where he has the rights to all gold he pulls out. He showed me pictures of his cabin and a jar of gold nuggets.)

So I'm going with the Scottsman thing too!

 

[Darius]

Merely a "figure" of speech gentlemen. I must have picked that up in the Air Force

 

[Bladecutter]

I got to meet Darius @ Fall Fling 2015 & got a ride in His car...flat as a pancake!! Super sweet!