Multiple projects

fourstroke said:

My problem is when I make something of my own design.
I think oh it would be neat if I added this
And putting that there with a water pump etc etc so the project becomes never ending then I get bored

Click to expand...

awake said:

I resonate with many posts above. I nearly always have multiple projects. One pattern for me is that I tend to reach a point in a given project where my energy is flagging - perhaps I've figured out some problems, but now am not quite sure what to tackle next on it. So I switch over to a dormant project, and find that I have new energy for that one.

Another pattern is that I start a project, and then realize I could really use a certain tool that I've thought about building, so I switch over to build the tool. Then I realize that to make this tool, I really first need to make that tool, so I switch again ... and the situation cascades. I've been in this sort of cascade for the past year or so, gradually working on making a foundry to try my hand at some casting. But I decided that I could really use a slip roll to make the forms, so I switched over to that ... only to decide that it would really help to finally make the 2 x 72 belt grinder that I had thought about making for the past 15 years. So I switched over to that.

I finished the 2 x 72 (mostly - there are some tweaks and improvements I'd like to add, "some day"), and then fairly recently finished up the slip roll, so now I'm back on the foundry, and getting fairly close to finishing up the metal fabrication; then it will be time to insulate and decide on the details of the burner. No doubt there will be some other tool / jig / fixture that needs doing before I get completely done with the foundry ...

Click to expand...

methuselah1 said:

This is what we call "gadgeteering" in the UK. Need to make a gadget to make a bit of an engine... But damn! Need to make a different gadget to make the first gadget... Dammit! Need to make a gadget to make the gadget to produce the ultimate gadget! And so it goes on. Resulting in the deceased's Executor's thought- "Wow! What a fantastic workshop! But what did he make with it? I can't see many engines..." LOL!

-Andrew

Click to expand...

fourstroke said:

Is it just me or do any other members have more than one project on the go at any one time
If so how do you prioritise
I seem to get so far into a build then I get distracted by the next big thing
Am I alone?
Dougie

Click to expand...

awake said:

I resonate with many posts above. I nearly always have multiple projects. One pattern for me is that I tend to reach a point in a given project where my energy is flagging - perhaps I've figured out some problems, but now am not quite sure what to tackle next on it. So I switch over to a dormant project, and find that I have new energy for that one.

Another pattern is that I start a project, and then realize I could really use a certain tool that I've thought about building, so I switch over to build the tool. Then I realize that to make this tool, I really first need to make that tool, so I switch again ... and the situation cascades. I've been in this sort of cascade for the past year or so, gradually working on making a foundry to try my hand at some casting. But I decided that I could really use a slip roll to make the forms, so I switched over to that ... only to decide that it would really help to finally make the 2 x 72 belt grinder that I had thought about making for the past 15 years. So I switched over to that.

I finished the 2 x 72 (mostly - there are some tweaks and improvements I'd like to add, "some day"), and then fairly recently finished up the slip roll, so now I'm back on the foundry, and getting fairly close to finishing up the metal fabrication; then it will be time to insulate and decide on the details of the burner. No doubt there will be some other tool / jig / fixture that needs doing before I get completely done with the foundry ...

Click to expand...

awake said:

Sure enough, I am about to deviate from the foundry again - only very briefly - to work up a "fog buster" type of coolant delivery. My excuse is that all of the parts just arrived, so of course I need to take care of this little project ... that, and I'm trying to decide whether or not to completely replace the lid-lifting lever on the foundry. The original design worked, but not optimally. I've got a new design that should work much better, but I'm not sure I have the material on hand for it. Yep, that's enough to sidetrack me onto a new project!

Click to expand...