Project ideas

Author
Discussion

deebs

Original Poster:

555 posts

59 months

Sunday 23rd February 2020
quotequote all
An open question.

I've a bit of space in an oversized garage ( it has a car in it but it could be kicked out ). I've a bit of money I could spend. Ive a bit of time I could use , in the evenings , some times at the weekend. I've virtually no skills, but generally keen to learn stuff. I don't have an aptitude for skilled manual tasks (I'm terrible at sport, DIY etc) nor am I a particularly intelligent person, so anything I did would need kick off from a very beginners viewpoint.

I'd quite like a project of sorts. Something to stop me sitting in of an evening.

I'm very interested to hear suggestions and views. I've tried this question with friends of mine, most of whom busy themselves with "gym" (doesn't appeal), sport (I do a little already) , ones training for an iron man (no thanks!) , another does warhammer model painting (don't think it would be for me), reading (I should get back to this, I've been a prolific reader on and off). Most friends are too embarrassed to admit they spend most of their free time like I do, mostly doing "nothing" (TV, internet etc) and drinking (Scotland's national pastime).

davhill

5,263 posts

183 months

Sunday 23rd February 2020
quotequote all
I long since discovered that it's far better for a project to have tangible outcome. It needn't necessarily
be a 'thing' but it needs to something that can be kept to illustrate and verify progress.

For example, let's say you make models. When you've made one, you have a physical result. Make another
and ten to one, you'll do a better job - and so on.

Once you've decided on what you want to achieve, the world's your oyster. You can choose from many things, from making a working
clock, to taxidermy to studio photography to restoring a bike or car. You'll find clubs and classes that cater for people
in the same position and a little competition never did anybody any harm.

For my part, I shoot using smallbore target rifles and for me the outcome is completed targets, medals, the odd trophy
and the occasional needle match at the club. This is just oneof my pasttimes but every one leaves something to show for it.

Bullett

10,873 posts

183 months

Monday 24th February 2020
quotequote all
You're on here so lets assume you like cars and racing.

Become a sim racer.
Build a beast of a PC (or buy one but building it a learning experience in itself and no more complex these days then lego.
Race Seat/steering wheel/pedals combo, again you can buy them or build them
VR headset of triple screen monitiors or super wide.
Upgrade it all
Play a SIM, opinions vary but Assetto Corsa, Project Cars 2, rFactor and Iracing are all up there with various positives and negatives.



Big-Bo-Beep

884 posts

53 months

Monday 24th February 2020
quotequote all
not intelligent, skilled or adept ? phew, that narrows it.

obviously you cant amuse yourself or else you wouldn't be on here.

in the old days being a radio ham was quite popular, not sure if clubs exist any more, although a guy at
work has passed all his exams to get a licence to transmit .

the gear is expensive , aerials and transceivers and all, you'll need a garden for the antenna, [ maybe planning permission too ]

as tony hancock said " as yes, its opened up new horizons, friends all over the world, none in this country mind you ".

Evangelion

7,636 posts

177 months

Monday 24th February 2020
quotequote all
How about a nice big Scalextric layout? (Other slot racing systems are available.)

You could rig up a collection of pulleys to winch it up to the ceiling when you want to get the car in.

OzzyR1

5,694 posts

231 months

Monday 24th February 2020
quotequote all
deebs said:
An open question.

I've a bit of space in an oversized garage ( it has a car in it but it could be kicked out ). I've a bit of money I could spend. Ive a bit of time I could use , in the evenings , some times at the weekend. I've virtually no skills, but generally keen to learn stuff. I don't have an aptitude for skilled manual tasks (I'm terrible at sport, DIY etc) nor am I a particularly intelligent person, so anything I did would need kick off from a very beginners viewpoint.

I'd quite like a project of sorts. Something to stop me sitting in of an evening.

I'm very interested to hear suggestions and views. I've tried this question with friends of mine, most of whom busy themselves with "gym" (doesn't appeal), sport (I do a little already) , ones training for an iron man (no thanks!) , another does warhammer model painting (don't think it would be for me), reading (I should get back to this, I've been a prolific reader on and off). Most friends are too embarrassed to admit they spend most of their free time like I do, mostly doing "nothing" (TV, internet etc) and drinking (Scotland's national pastime).
Don't do yourself down too much, sounds like you have good things going for you but it's far too easy to get into that cycle of "waking up, gym, work, home, eat, sleep" - rinse and repeat as necessary!!

Might be an out-field suggestion, but have you ever looked into getting a PPL? I did that, and it was worthwhile, (admittedly, 2 years training and quite a lot of cash later).

If you want a chat, whether it has a purpose or just fancy chewing the fat with someone, send me a message via my profile on here & I'll get back to you. Always good to make new friends.

Cheers.



Cold

15,207 posts

89 months

Monday 24th February 2020
quotequote all
Build a Caterham 7.

slopes

38,748 posts

186 months

Monday 24th February 2020
quotequote all
Take up woodwork, make yourself some furniture.
You can start off small, make a small cabinet, then progress on to tables etc and if you have the room in the garage, you could always buy a wood turning lathe and then the sky is the limit. For examples, there are several videos on youtube of people doing wood turning and they make some incredible stuff.

rev-erend

21,404 posts

283 months

Monday 24th February 2020
quotequote all
How about build a jet or Scram jet engine. Details on the net.

vx220

2,689 posts

233 months

Monday 24th February 2020
quotequote all
Biiig Lego!

glenrobbo

35,061 posts

149 months

Monday 24th February 2020
quotequote all
Build yourself an up-to-the-minute state of the art top line computer station like mine... bowtie


deebs

Original Poster:

555 posts

59 months

Monday 24th February 2020
quotequote all
Great ideas guys thanks, I'll look into a couple of them. Appreciate your posts.

Sycamore

1,726 posts

117 months

Monday 24th February 2020
quotequote all
You say you're crap at DIY, but personally that's where I'd be focussing on. You can only get better.

How about small refurb projects? Some simple machines and a bit of research and you'd have a fair bit available to you.

Check out Youtube channels Odd Tinkering, or My Mechanics for what I mean.

Essentially take some old, knackered looking junk (padlock, lighters, hand tools etc) and refurb them up to like-new?

I find them therapeutic to watch, sadly don't have the space for the machines frown

alorotom

11,907 posts

186 months

Monday 24th February 2020
quotequote all
Cold said:
Build a Caterham 7.
or any number of part built and abandoned kits on ebay ...

Neptune188

276 posts

176 months

Monday 24th February 2020
quotequote all
Have a look here for inspiration

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Look for anything on eBay that's "sold as seen", "not working/for parts" etc. The amount of stuff that seems to be able to be fixed by putting fresh petrol, spark plugs, etc in it is incredible - these engines are pretty simple.


shirt

22,506 posts

200 months

Monday 24th February 2020
quotequote all
No suggestion for a sex den so far. Disappointing

Japveesix

4,476 posts

167 months

Monday 24th February 2020
quotequote all
vx220 said:
Biiig Lego!
This. LEGO is brilliant and there are a lot of huge sets to start with but also local adult groups so you can learn to make your own models and creations and display at shows etc (many of which raise money for charity and are very popular).

Otherwise why not build your own rocket and try to fly it into space to prove the earth is flat?

Darryl247W

564 posts

122 months

Tuesday 25th February 2020
quotequote all
You sound a bit like me 30 years ago, OP.
As you're into cars, how about buying a cheapish car, tidy it up, modify it, whatever. Even breaking a car and selling parts on Ebay etc. gets you off the sofa. You learn new skills which helps your confidence to tackle other things and there are plenty of good forums for advice along the way.

I was fairly handless but bought an old Escort to rebuild which led to other projects and doing DIY in the house. It's satisfying to do these things yourself.

Go for it! Good luck.

Edited by Darryl247W on Tuesday 25th February 22:24

Shuvi McTupya

24,460 posts

246 months

Tuesday 25th February 2020
quotequote all
glenrobbo said:
Build yourself an up-to-the-minute state of the art top line computer station like mine... bowtie

Those bottles at the back that are full but have no caps..i bet i know what they are full of eek

gregs656

10,816 posts

180 months

Tuesday 25th February 2020
quotequote all
Get a motorcycle licence.

Get a motorcycle project - something simple you can transform into something you like.