Milt, i know how it is. I used to be in the "extreme 4x4" scene. I lived for my 4x4. I did the mods, I did the fab work (welding is only a matter of being willing to waste some scrap steel), I did the design, and I did the driving. I traveled all over the Southwest meeting people, offroading, wrenching, and drinking beers around the campfire. I got elbow deep in the biggest thing I had done to my truck (putting a live axle and springs under the front of my independent front suspension 4runner). Spent 2 days doing 90% of it, then ran out of time and money. Dragged it back home, and it sat there for 2 years. I lost all interest in in, and in offroading. I mean, it was almost overnight. It sat there for 2 years haunting me everytime I walked outside.

When we moved, I sold it for $100. Washed my hands of it and moved on. Now, I found the 911 bug. Maybe this one will last longer, maybe not. But, it's fresh and interesting and different.

where am I going with this? Dunno :p Welding is cool. Broken rigs suck. :cool:D

Yep, me too.


Hey Jeff, let me know if you check out that welding class at LBCC. I'd be interested and so would a few others I know.

It seems that the "burn-out" is starting to get to people all over the country, here I though it was just me. I as well want out of the car scene, after 20+years wrenching for a living (+ all the years of doing it for friends and as side work) I am just tired of it. I am finding it an anoyance to just wash my cars anymore. I am facing the same issues as you Milt, nobody wants to hire an old mechanic, and pay me what I make now.
Good luck in whatever you decide to do, and I love the longhood conversion. very nice and creative. You should produce and market those things. Couldn't you see it now, "Wow where did you get that bumper kit?" "Oh do you like it?, It's a Milt"

milt - I'd try to sell *he car as is first. You can put in the extra work to change it back to stock later... if it does not sell. That is lowest energy pathway (just like in chemistry).

The bigger problem -- We all get more tired as we age. me too. I'm younger than your or Paul but I can sure feel the effects.

But not all of it is JUST age. For example, I am a LOT more tired than I should be b/c I have sleep apnea - a huge # of people do. You could get checked for that. And you could see your doc and say look I'm tired... but am I more tired than I should be. he can run some simple tests. Then there are things like tai chi or yoga. You might want to try -- just avoid the new age nutball orientation of some that do it. I find that tai chi works amazingly well - of course, I sweat it when doing it. Not like a tv commercial.

Then there is the next project. You may have what I have - an imbalance in projct intake, relative to ability to actually DO the project. I wish I knew how to fix that! One way is to force yourself to not take IN too many projects.

Good Luck! And keep us posted on how things are going.

Good advice, Randy. I've been waiting for an excuse to see a doctor, like the flu or something, because otherwise I seem to be reasonably healthy on the physical side. If I thought I had a serious problem, I'd go down to the docs in a minute.
\
Mentally is tough. I've always said that, "Any day you can work is a good day." I have always been ADHD and the busyness takes care of me. But, working all the time for all these years has taken its toll.

The biggest trouble with me is that once I master something (or even get it decent), I want to move on; get more. I've accomplished a lot in a lifetime except master finances. Oh well, one can't be good at everything.

HughR talks about addiction (to this forum). I'm addicted to accomplishment. It's damn hard to sit and watch. ADHD types are know to be on the average higher in IQ and higher in creativity. That's me to a T. Beyond that, I have no patience. None whatsoever. So, I don't travel or go out in public unless it's necessary.

I think beginning next week I'll start poking my head in at various businesses that do things creative. As it is, I drive through business parks when I have time just to see the grand variety of small businesses. This is OT to the OT, but everyone of those businesses represents the realization of someone's dream. Someone's creation. I couldn't be happier about that except a lot of them hit the wall and the dream is shattered. Especially this year.

One can take shelter or one can stand out in the storm.

Milt,

Your problem from a breadwinning perspective is that you are an artist (as anyone who has seen images of your woodworking and metalworking ideas come to life will agree). The completed cars passed off to others are typical of this. As you said, you already had visions of Gen II in your head for both the 'long-hood-look bumper and the rear valance.

You are happiest when you are pushing the envelope.

As a result, you are selling what are, to you, yesterday's ideas. As evidenced by the reaction of some here, there is a market for your 'cast-offs'. After all, if it worked for Boyd Coddington (sp?) and others, why not you?

Well, marketing, for one. Don't return the car to stock, market it as it is. With all the tasteless ***** on the market, there must be people out there who want quality. Your job, if you wanna get paid for doing what you love, is find those 'patrons'

I realize you have been through this in the remodeling trades, but, looking at your work, I suspect there are some folks out there who would pay good bucks for what you produce.

Best of luck.
Les

I'm always interested.....

I think oldE might be onto something...

Yeah, I've read that a few times myself. The marketing aspect is spot on.

I think I'll call my agent...;) :D (and for you Mikey, %^B )

I hope this doesn't come off as stupid, but when I found this place four years ago I always looked for your avatar: I never posted in the tech section but I was doing a lot of homework on a '75 S that I found for $1500.

Milt, Zeke, it didn't matter...you always seemed to be the type of person who's opinion I would value. There is always a place for that talent, IMHO.

I wish you well.

I concur with the others here...you have talent, Milt...the ability to laugh at the (not so tasteful) automotive stuff turned out by others while doing your thing in a tasteful manner. There should be a way to cash in on that.

Milt:

Let me thank you publicly for the times I have pm'd you for advice. You have always responded in an intelligent manner. You are a well grounded human being and I value what you have to say.

It sounds like you are simply going through a rough cycle right now. You are going to turn the corner and get out of the funk sooner than you may think. Others have given some sound advice to you regarding a lifestyle change. Take up Yoga and or Tai Chi. Look into Pema Chodron's books (a favorite of Nostatic). I did and it has been very useful for me.

As far as the sale of your Carrera, sure put it on the market as is, but at YOUR price. Don't sell it for less than you want. It would not be the worst thing in the world to have to keep it...

Hang in there!

Mike

Milt,

I hope you find whatever you are looking for; at which time, I bet your energy is renewed.

Don't sell the Carrera! I think you would regret it.

Any chance we can talk you into producing those beautiful bumpers for the rest of us? :)

Milt, I like the welding class idea. You're sort of like a celebrity so you might as well leverage off that, like Bruce does. I'll fly in to attend one of your classes.

been a good while since i've posted, but have always enjoyed your posts as thoughtful and a worthwhile measure of my time.

i feel your pain...have similar traits/issues, albeit i'm 42, but my dad always emphasized in life there are both 'fiduciary' and 'psychological' rewards. seems that, perhaps not unlike you, i have a trunk full of the latter and not enough of the former to satisfy me.

I like the welding class idea also. YOu could even tape it or have an attendee or friend do it. Edit it up and see if Wayne will set up an upload store for it for a few bucks....

"working all the time for all these years has taken its toll."
- it'll mess up your body -- you need some strectches at a minimum. I suggest tai chi or yoga or something -- not double spinning back kicks or anything ok?

those will rearrange your body - to me tai chi seems to work on the tendons & cartlidge.

"Milt, Zeke, it didn't matter...you always seemed to be the type of person who's opinion I would value. There is always a place for that talent, IMHO"
+1
Milt, I don't post very often but I check out this forum daily over the last 5 years. I skip over most but never one that you have started or responded. You always seen to be spot on in offering advice or opinion.
I don't know you, but it does say something about you that someone 3000 miles away reads your responses on tech and ot.
I am partner of a company that does well in the industry in which we compete. It has been rewarding $$ and challenging mentally, but as I approach 50 I often wonder if this is it and should I be looking to do something else that is more fullfilling. I think many of us feel exactly like you and to me it is scary as each year ticks by.
I look at what a guy like you can create with envy and wish I had that type of skill set. Maybe this would fullfill my "creativity" side and put to rest this urge to change.
I try to live by the advice from the Morgan Freeman character in the movie Shawshank Redemption "get busy living or get busy dying". Helps keep things in perspective and hopefully moving in the right direction.
My advice would be get busy finding what makes you happy, you certainly have skills that can take you in many different directions!

Best of luck!

On a side note, keep your car "as is". It is unique, but looks "right"!

Milt, have you ever considered something completely different, like a traditional hot rod? Fab skills are just what you need to build a nifty 32 or 34 Ford lowboy. Totally impractical, but cool to look at.

Guys, thanks a million for the compliments and support. Listen, there are some really, really good videos out there on fabricating and welding. There is good info on mold making on the Net. I have a couple of John Kelly's DVD's on metal and I know how tough it was for him to produce them. Not a task for me. If anyone wants some recommendations on DVD's, PM me. Also, go to Williams Low Buck Tools for a list of the heroes on tape. The American Welding Society is a good resource as well. Lots of metal working forums, too.

Last year I was toying with the idea of opening a small shop called something like Monocoque Chassis Engineering. I would obtain or build a Celette bench and outfit it with jigs for the 911, 914 and XKE's (something I've have some previous experience with). But, I think I need a partner or investor to get it off the ground. The last couple of years have been real lean in the contracting business.

Some 40 years ago, I was employed by an artist, a sculptor in fact, building molds and "parts" that ended up being "art." Frankly, that's what I should be doing, but it takes a lot work to become anyone in the world of art. That's why I've never pursued it before. Anyway, maybe that's where the eye came from.

I'd feel silly teaching welding since I'm still learning. ;) :)

I can understand being a bit burnt out Milt. Granted I dont have the years or experience of you, but I got my 66 mustang back in 1991. It has always "needed" something. For years I would work on it and drive it all the time.

Once I had kids, it really took a back seat. The last time I did any real work on the disc brake upgrade was back in 2005 when my son was born, and I had a full week off of work. For a long time it bothered me everytime I went into the garage. I go the "I should really be working on this" feeling.

Fast forward to 2007, I bought the 4 post lift to get it out of the way, and I am much more relaxed. Yes I know it still needs work, but I don't feel I have the time to do it right, so it will wait.

Good luck on whatever you decide to do.

Bill