Getting old and home mechanics.
Discussion
I have no idea how it happened so fast but as I near the big 60 (just cashed in 2 private pensions FFS) , I tend to look forward to working on cars less than I did in my 40's. As I run cars until they die and my dailys are simple little things I can still do most things myself.
As has been said previously it's the day after that's the worst, changed both bottom wishbones for the MOT and felt like I'd taken on both Fury and Joshua one after the other the following morning.
Eyesight is not what it was but explaining to the kids that I struggle a wee bit now falls on deaf ears. I still get a buzz though thinking about all the money that I've saved over the years, that my old sheds are as good, mechanically, as a 5 year old car and utterly dependable.
Still enjoy doing bodywork as and when required, mainly because I can do it sitting down. Seeing some of the apes that work in local motor factors and garages who must have needed a college course to learn to walk upright I'm glad that I have to knowledge to work on my own cars because I can't believe that some of these could be trusted to work on a wheelbarrow.
As has been said previously it's the day after that's the worst, changed both bottom wishbones for the MOT and felt like I'd taken on both Fury and Joshua one after the other the following morning.
Eyesight is not what it was but explaining to the kids that I struggle a wee bit now falls on deaf ears. I still get a buzz though thinking about all the money that I've saved over the years, that my old sheds are as good, mechanically, as a 5 year old car and utterly dependable.
Still enjoy doing bodywork as and when required, mainly because I can do it sitting down. Seeing some of the apes that work in local motor factors and garages who must have needed a college course to learn to walk upright I'm glad that I have to knowledge to work on my own cars because I can't believe that some of these could be trusted to work on a wheelbarrow.
I am very tempted to get a scissor lift. No room for a 2/4 poster. The extra height will make it better than axle stands and creeper.
Aged 67 and running a Morgan so under car access is very handy.
Regular suspension checks, greasing, lubricating will be easier, as will general cleaning, jobs. Gone are the days of big jobs due to lack of space and no need to do them. Next winter I plan some jobs on the car as time on the road will be reduced ( but not stopped as it is my car to drive not a garage queen). Basically cleaning, painting, maybe an exhaust partial job.
If I had a big enough garage and good lift I’d be up for a project but the current garage is single and not enough room to make a project easy.
Aged 67 and running a Morgan so under car access is very handy.
Regular suspension checks, greasing, lubricating will be easier, as will general cleaning, jobs. Gone are the days of big jobs due to lack of space and no need to do them. Next winter I plan some jobs on the car as time on the road will be reduced ( but not stopped as it is my car to drive not a garage queen). Basically cleaning, painting, maybe an exhaust partial job.
If I had a big enough garage and good lift I’d be up for a project but the current garage is single and not enough room to make a project easy.
sospan said:
I am very tempted to get a scissor lift. No room for a 2/4 poster. The extra height will make it better than axle stands and creeper.
Aged 67 and running a Morgan so under car access is very handy.
Regular suspension checks, greasing, lubricating will be easier, as will general cleaning, jobs. Gone are the days of big jobs due to lack of space and no need to do them. Next winter I plan some jobs on the car as time on the road will be reduced ( but not stopped as it is my car to drive not a garage queen). Basically cleaning, painting, maybe an exhaust partial job.
If I had a big enough garage and good lift I’d be up for a project but the current garage is single and not enough room to make a project easy.
I had one of these. Excellent units.Aged 67 and running a Morgan so under car access is very handy.
Regular suspension checks, greasing, lubricating will be easier, as will general cleaning, jobs. Gone are the days of big jobs due to lack of space and no need to do them. Next winter I plan some jobs on the car as time on the road will be reduced ( but not stopped as it is my car to drive not a garage queen). Basically cleaning, painting, maybe an exhaust partial job.
If I had a big enough garage and good lift I’d be up for a project but the current garage is single and not enough room to make a project easy.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-LIFT-MOBILE-SCISSOR...
I'm bloody 74, and fed up. I was fine until day before yesterday, when I woke up with a sore knee, that makes getting dwon worse than getting up and this morning my cat bit me on the hand (she's nervous and her partner just died). It's all swollen up, bruising not infection, I think, but I can hardly use that hand when I down there. Feeling very old!
bearman68 said:
sospan said:
I am very tempted to get a scissor lift. No room for a 2/4 poster. The extra height will make it better than axle stands and creeper.
Aged 67 and running a Morgan so under car access is very handy.
Regular suspension checks, greasing, lubricating will be easier, as will general cleaning, jobs. Gone are the days of big jobs due to lack of space and no need to do them. Next winter I plan some jobs on the car as time on the road will be reduced ( but not stopped as it is my car to drive not a garage queen). Basically cleaning, painting, maybe an exhaust partial job.
If I had a big enough garage and good lift I’d be up for a project but the current garage is single and not enough room to make a project easy.
I had one of these. Excellent units.Aged 67 and running a Morgan so under car access is very handy.
Regular suspension checks, greasing, lubricating will be easier, as will general cleaning, jobs. Gone are the days of big jobs due to lack of space and no need to do them. Next winter I plan some jobs on the car as time on the road will be reduced ( but not stopped as it is my car to drive not a garage queen). Basically cleaning, painting, maybe an exhaust partial job.
If I had a big enough garage and good lift I’d be up for a project but the current garage is single and not enough room to make a project easy.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-LIFT-MOBILE-SCISSOR...
king hell some of those advert pictures make it look really sketchy!!!!!I'm not old by the standards of some posting here but I seem to be older than a lot of those complaining about slowing down. As others have said, having the garage space to be comfortable and lack of a pressing deadline make it fun.
I'm 52 and recently jumped into my first proper rusty-car welding with added rotten subframe change. I've found car projects fulfilling for 30 years. I hope I can dabble for a long time to come. I'd be lost if I thought I couldn't be creative with cars.
I'm 52 and recently jumped into my first proper rusty-car welding with added rotten subframe change. I've found car projects fulfilling for 30 years. I hope I can dabble for a long time to come. I'd be lost if I thought I couldn't be creative with cars.
I guess that needs a decent base to work from.
My dad is 73 and gave up on DIY spannering the other year. He still keeps busy with gardening and home DIY though.
At 43, I can empathize with the loss of energy..I've noticed it over the last decade or so, but blame my kids and work.
Ian
bearman68 said:
I had one of these. Excellent units.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-LIFT-MOBILE-SCISSOR...
I would get one tomorrow, but I have a gravel drive, and not sure the wife would appreciate a damn great concrete or slab section in the middle of it.https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-LIFT-MOBILE-SCISSOR...
My dad is 73 and gave up on DIY spannering the other year. He still keeps busy with gardening and home DIY though.
At 43, I can empathize with the loss of energy..I've noticed it over the last decade or so, but blame my kids and work.
Ian
Just a warning.
Cat bites. That soreness and redness started spreading, so I hi-ed me off to A&E. "Cat bites are worse than dog or human"!!!!
I was in overnight on IV antibiotics, getting better and feeling less my age now!
What can you give to an A&E or wardful of nurses, that isn't chocolates? I know, Chocolates!
Grateful John
Cat bites. That soreness and redness started spreading, so I hi-ed me off to A&E. "Cat bites are worse than dog or human"!!!!
I was in overnight on IV antibiotics, getting better and feeling less my age now!
What can you give to an A&E or wardful of nurses, that isn't chocolates? I know, Chocolates!
Grateful John
tapkaJohnD said:
Just a warning.
Cat bites. That soreness and redness started spreading, so I hi-ed me off to A&E. "Cat bites are worse than dog or human"!!!!
I was in overnight on IV antibiotics, getting better and feeling less my age now!
What can you give to an A&E or wardful of nurses, that isn't chocolates? I know, Chocolates!
Grateful John
I took them cake the last time. Cat bites. That soreness and redness started spreading, so I hi-ed me off to A&E. "Cat bites are worse than dog or human"!!!!
I was in overnight on IV antibiotics, getting better and feeling less my age now!
What can you give to an A&E or wardful of nurses, that isn't chocolates? I know, Chocolates!
Grateful John
I felt guilty though,, a bit of a feeder. None of them looked like they needed any more cake.
bearman68 said:
For crying out loud lads, WTF is wrong with you all.
I'm 53, and will quite happily rip off suspension, change engines, I'm OK with bodywork, and st hot on electrics. OK, I know I do it for a living, but I'm at it at least 5 days a week, and during February only had 2 days off in the month. So, come on, sort it all out, otherwise you're all doomed.
In our workshop, I'm the youngest. My partner is 63, and our fitter is 73. And we give him all the tricky jobs.
What I think you are tending to lack is sufficient place to do the work. It 'aint no fun rolling around on your back, in puddles doing this. Get yourself a lift, and shelter at least, and if possible a bit of warmth. Everything becomes a load better at that point. It's less to do with age, and much more to do with comfort.
My view anyway.
I agree. 4 post lift, LED lighting and a wood burner. I'm 53, and will quite happily rip off suspension, change engines, I'm OK with bodywork, and s
t hot on electrics. OK, I know I do it for a living, but I'm at it at least 5 days a week, and during February only had 2 days off in the month. So, come on, sort it all out, otherwise you're all doomed.In our workshop, I'm the youngest. My partner is 63, and our fitter is 73. And we give him all the tricky jobs.
What I think you are tending to lack is sufficient place to do the work. It 'aint no fun rolling around on your back, in puddles doing this. Get yourself a lift, and shelter at least, and if possible a bit of warmth. Everything becomes a load better at that point. It's less to do with age, and much more to do with comfort.
My view anyway.
Funny enough, this came up on my timeline the other day.
Nissan Tino Timing Chain change on the drive.
I'm 52 now and was shocked to find a spanner or two going rusty in the tool chest. My knees just can't take it!
Still do the easy stuff but no more gearboxes resting on my chest for me.
Nissan Tino Timing Chain change on the drive.
I'm 52 now and was shocked to find a spanner or two going rusty in the tool chest. My knees just can't take it!
Still do the easy stuff but no more gearboxes resting on my chest for me.
ant427 said:
Funny enough, this came up on my timeline the other day.
Nissan Tino Timing Chain change on the drive.
I'm 52 now and was shocked to find a spanner or two going rusty in the tool chest. My knees just can't take it!
Still do the easy stuff but no more gearboxes resting on my chest for me.
I don’t know any mechanics who like doing gearboxes, it’s a big lump of unwieldy metal at the end of the day. Nissan Tino Timing Chain change on the drive.
I'm 52 now and was shocked to find a spanner or two going rusty in the tool chest. My knees just can't take it!
Still do the easy stuff but no more gearboxes resting on my chest for me.
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